Outside. Small cohort.
Together Safer.
COVID-19 Safety
Saftey
The health and well-being of the Mighty Bambinis community is our top priority. We will work to mitigate risks to protect the health of everyone in our school community. While no single action will eliminate the risk of COVID-19, we will work with our students, families and staff to implement interventions that will reduce the risk of spread.
The structure of our program has built-in universal precautions- all outside, small stable cohorts, fully vaccinated teachers and a focus on hand hygiene and other health & safety best practices. We are following guidance for childcare and day camp programs. For the 2022-2023 school year, masks are optional except following return to school after staying home from illness*.
We also recommend children change clothes and wash when they get home. And of course, we practice hand washing before meals, arrivals and dismissals, before and after first aid/contact with bodily fluids, toileting, etc. See more details below regarding safety practices.
Every experience, no matter how difficult, is an opportunity for positive growth — we recognize that in the long-term, this is an experience that we will get through together, and that has the potential to make us and our children stronger and more resilient.
Flexibility and Adaptability. Childcare has been one of the first essential businesses to re-open and stay open through this pandemic, however, some aspect of planning are out of our control. We will remain agile as we adapt to new ways of being together. We are following the current Marin County Guidelines.
Communication. Communication with families will be clear, regular and timely.
*All COVID related policies are subject to change based on current COVID guidance.
COVID Safety Protocols
We are following the safety guidelines outlined by each county our programs run in. Please read the current guidelines for Marin County here.
What this means for our programs:
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Outdoor preschool-12 activities are not required to wear masks
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Families and staff submit daily health checks
As for travel we ask that you follow CDC guidelines for travel. CDC travel guidelines can be found here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
We understand that there are strong feelings about the masking requirements in all directions. Our policy is leads with our values at the program.
We want to foster connection between teachers and children and children with other children.We want children to laugh with abandon, hug tightly, connect deeply, cry cathartically, and play freely. We teachers want to play and soothe your children with warmth and closeness. We will make the right decision about masking at our program at different times given information and guidance from Public Health and in partnership with our parents and teachers.
COVID-19 FAQ
How many children can be in the same cohort?
We have just one cohort of children. There will about a 1:5 ratio of children to teachers.
Do children need to wear masks at Mighty Bambinis?
No. We will whole-heartedly support children in being successful in wearing mask if this is the preference of the family, however, most families are opting to send their children without a mask starting in January 2022.
Do summer camp, sports camp and or childcare personnel need to wear masks or face coverings while teaching?
Current guidelines do not require fully vaccinated people to wear a mask outdoors.
Will you require 6 feet of distance between students?
Playing with other children and being physically helped by teachers are important elements for healthy connection and socio-emotional development for young children. In caring for the holistic needs of children, we are not going to social distance since our program has so many other built-in universal precautions such as being outside.
What are the best practices our program has adopted for a safe and sanitary environment?
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Families fill health checks daily including verifying child’s temperature at the beginning of each day.
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Teach and reinforce washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes among children and staff
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Support children in wearing masks when requested by parents and anytime indoors.
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Sanitize the travel potty before and after each child’s use.
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Wash hands for 20 seconds using water and soap or hand sanitizer and compostable wipes (We will pack in and out trash daily)
How should parents/guardians safely drop off children for summer camps and preschool?
Before school, parents will be asked to submit a daily health screening - checking for temperature and answering questions about COVID contact, travel, etc. Parents/guardians should also avoid carpooling to and from the program- unless they are in the same cohort. Parents will electronically sign in and out using our parent communication platform Brightwheel.
What is your refund policy?
As a year-round childcare, there are no refunds for days missed due to any reason (vacations, quarantine, sickness). However, families can provide the program with 60 days notice of un-enrollment at anytime. In the event, our director feels that our program can not adequately meet the needs of your child and we recommend you seek alternative care, we will work with your family on a timeline to unenroll and prorate tuition for unused days.
What if someone in a household of a child gets COVID-19?
That child will not be able to attend preschool for 10 days after the onset of symptoms from the child or family member. Please bring in a negative test to return. All families will be notified immediately. Unfortunately, since we rely tuition to operate our program and pay teachers, no refund will be processed for missed days which is customary in Bay Area preschools.
Thank you for your patience - We will update this periodically.
“There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” —Alfred Wainwright
Forest School gear
Some gear is required to ensure the safety of the group. Other gear is recommended depending on the weather or the locale.
Required gear
Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots (no rain boots, snow boots or sandals)
The group sometimes walks a significant distance, over uneven terrain and puddles or creeks, with opportunities to climb rocks and trees. Invest in sturdy, supportive, waterproof footwear to protect your child’s feet such as Keens or neoprene boots. Rubber rain boots don’t provide sufficient stability for hiking over uneven terrain. Snow boots are awkward and clumsy for children to hike distances with us. Children will not be allowed on hike this year if they are wearing rain boots, snow boots, or sandals.
Wool socks
Buy several pairs of wool socks so your child always has a spare. ALWAYS dress your child in wool socks for the hike and include a second pair of wool socks in a ziploc baggie at the bottom of your child’s pack. Cotton socks are insufficient for hike, even on a warm day. Wool socks are necessary both to keep children’s feet warm and to provide adequate cushioning inside their hiking boots. Wool socks keep feet cool in hot weather and warm in colder weather. A hat every time: A warm wool hat for cold or rainy days or a sun hat for sunny days. Teachers will not take your child on hike if she doesn’t arrive at the drop off point with a hat.
A hearty lunch plus a snack
Children work up an appetite during hikes! The group stops for a snack at mid-morning and for lunch around noon.
Avoid packing wet foods that spill easily or can’t be re-sealed after opening, such as yogurt. Also avoid exciting treats that other children will covet.
Remember that whatever you pack for lunch may end up all over the inside of your child’s pack. Think about this as you choose foods for your child’s lunch.
A solution: A hard-sided lunch box helps keep food from being crushed when backpacks are thrown down. A napkin is helpful. Avoid paper bags on wet days.
5. Water bottle or two drink boxes
Pack a full water bottle for your child’s hydration. LABEL IT PLEASE.
Or you can pack two disposable drink boxes, such a juice, milk, or coconut water. Your child will drink one during snack time and one during lunch time.
6. One complete change of clothes, including an extra pair of wool socks, in a plastic ziplock bag or other waterproof bag.
You never know when or how a child’s clothes might get wet, damaged, or lost. Always pack a change of clothes so your child can stay warm and dry.
7. A hat every time please! Pack either a sun hat or a warm hat (or both), depending on the weather. Hoods don’t work as well as hats. Sew a bit of your child’s special fabric onto her sunhat as well as the outside of her backpack.
SUNSCREEN:
Note: Teachers are prohibited from applying sunscreen to your child, so don’t pack any unless your child can reliably apply it without help. Consider applying sunscreen before drop off if it’s a bright day. The best solution is to provide a sun hat.
Additional gear for wet/cold/rainy days
Always check the weather forecast and look out of the window before you dress your child for hike. Sometimes heavy rain happens even when the forecasted chance is only 10%. Sometimes the fog is heavy enough to soak you, even if it’s not technically raining. Plan ahead to keep your child dry and warm on hike.
On wet days, think: synthetic, wool, and waterproof fabrics:
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Wool is a fiber with the amazing property of retaining body heat even when it gets wet.
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Synthetics do the same, and they dry quickly.
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Waterproof fabrics keep water away from everything underneath. One piece suits, snow jackets and bibs, or rain jack and rain pants.
Do not put cotton next to your child’s skin on wet days. Cotton is cold when it gets even slightly damp, and children in damp cotton end up shivering and miserable, with a risk of hypothermia.
If there’s a chance of wetness on hike day, outfit your child with:
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Wool or synthetic long underwear, top and bottom. They keep your child warm even if they get damp, and they dry quickly. Tuck the hems inside your child’s socks or boots to keep them from wicking water off of the ground.
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Waterproof jacket or suit (Gore-Tex or vinyl rain) with hood
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Wool or polar fleece jacket (if it’s cold)
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Rain pants or snow bib
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Wool or synthetic hat:
Finding gear
An initial investment in kids’ hiking gear can be a little pricey. Before you buy new gear, check Chloe’s Closet for consignment items, Steep&Cheap, REI Outlet for clearance items, and ask other families if they have hand-me-downs to spare. You can also find inexpensive wool and synthetics at places like Old Navy, Uniqlo, Amazon, and so on. If you find a good source or a sale, tell other families about it!
Wool or silk clothing for children:
Fleece clothing for children:
Rain Gear, waterproof hiking gear, boots/shoes:
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Steep and Cheap
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Sierra Trading Post
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Oki Wear
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Used clothing stores