Horizon Education Centers sent out a survey recently to its families to better understand their concerns regarding COVID-19. Part of the survey included a section for questions families have about when the centers reopen. We have put these questions together to help our families make this process easier. The questions and answers are below.
We will be following state and CDC guidelines to ensure children and staff are kept safe and healthy during this uncertain time with COVID-19. This will include daily health screenings for all children and staff within the buildings, use of PPE, heightened hand-washing policies, and increased building sanitation throughout the day and nightly. If children are showing a sign of an illness during the in-car screening process, they will not be allowed to enter the center. Soft material that cannot be sanitized will be removed from all classrooms. Large group activities will be canceled, also children will stay with their teacher throughout the day, limiting contact with other staff. Playground spaces will be scheduled for classroom time and sanitized between group use.
Child care centers are highly regulated businesses. Basic licensing requires regular sanitation and hygiene practices. Teachers and staff are required 6 hours of initial Communicable Disease Prevention Training. Because of these practices in prior virus breakouts (like the Swine Flu and the other influenzas) some child care centers stayed open at regular operating capacities. The CDC recommendations will only make the centers safer.
We are anticipating classroom sizes to be limited and regulated by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Barring any state guidance, we will be providing child care slots on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given to families that need full-time care.
We will comply with state and CDC guidelines when Horizon is allowed to reopen. If masks are not required, children over the age of 2 may wear masks provided by parents as requested.
All classroom hard surfaces will be sanitized with a bleach solution as prescribed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Other surfaces will be cleaned with commercial disinfectant. Playgrounds and outdoor equipment will be sanitized between group usage.
A staff member wearing PPE will greet you and your child in your car. A health screening will take place with questions and a temperature check. This will be conducted before your child is allowed to leave the car. If a child is showing any signs of being ill, they will not be permitted to leave the car. The child will be escorted into the building by a staff member and will proceed to a hand-washing station. The staff member will then escort your child to their classroom. Parents will not be permitted into the building unless there is an emergency. Pick-up procedures are yet to be determined.
As best as possible. Large group activities will be canceled and children will stay with their teacher throughout the day and have limited contact with other staff.
As required by state and CDC guidelines.
Yes, we currently have sanitizer dispensers in the main hallway by the center's entrance.
We are currently working on increasing the number of connected devices at all of our centers.
We hope that the centers will be allowed to open as soon as possible and Summer Camp will begin on June 8. However, all field trips and swimming activities will be canceled for this summer. There will be no activity fees charged. The summer tuition rate will remain the same. Other large group activities will be canceled due to social distancing guidelines set by the State of Ohio.
All preschool graduations will be canceled. Please check with your center director for alternative activities. Kindergarten Bootcamp for children starting kindergarten in the fall will be conducted over the summer months. Please contact your center for details.
We will make every effort to provide normal programming. We will be limiting shared space activities; we will plan large motor activities within the classroom, like yoga and games like Simon Says. Playground space will be scheduled for each classroom so that we can sanitize between groups.
No, Horizon does not use live streaming within our centers.
We are currently not open, and we anticipate that when the governor gives the go-ahead to open child care centers, the essential worker definition will be modified or deleted.
Yes. You must make arrangements to pay ahead of time for your slot to be held. We anticipate opening with a limited number of slots because of social distancing. Priority will be given to families that need full-time care.
Yes, a notification will be sent to all families. Our plan is to bring in our center directors two weeks before we open. One of the first jobs will be to call families and see who needs care. There will also be messages on Horizon’s Facebook and in the biweekly update sent by the executive director on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
You will be notified by the county office of Job and Family Services. If you need additional assistance, please contact your center director.
Horizon programs are by age group. Toddler programs start at 18 months old. Once your child turns 18 months old, a transition plan will be developed for your child based on their developmental needs and classroom availability.
To be considered full-time status, your child must attend a minimum of 25 hours per week if you receive publicly funded child care (vouchers). Priority for limited slots will be given to full-time families.
Yes, if required by Governor Mike DeWine. Otherwise, priority will be given to families that need full-time care.
If you were currently enrolled before the pandemic closure, your status with Horizon is "Suspended." When you return, you will not need to re-register. However, there is a separate registration requirement for those families with school-aged children who would like to enroll in the summer camp program. Summer camp enrollment forms may be found here.
Voucher decisions are made by the ODJFS. Please contact your caseworker to discuss your specific situation.
No, you will not forfeit your discount. However, if the program that you are entering is different from the one that you left, your rates will vary and you would need a new enrollment contract.
Horizon's part-time enrollment policy will not change. Horizon prefers to have full time slots.
You have the option to either request a refund on your balance or the balance will be applied on your account for future services. If we do not get your request for a refund, we will assume that you will want the balance applied to your account.
No. All children will be divided by age group.
For a printable version of these questions and answers, click here.