The transition of our programs

4 on-site preschools closed and reopened in person with COVID-19 precautions while offering a fully remote learning option accompanied by educational materials delivered to families.

Home visiting services transitioned their 90-minute visits into the virtual space, including phone calls, video conferencing, and weekly care packages.

3 Play & Learn groups paused in-person sessions with the closure of Seattle Public Libraries, then transitioned into online videos before offering weekly Zoom sessions.

All our programs adapted to fit the needs of our families while adhering to King County and CDC guidelines. As we enter a post-pandemic world, we have transitioned all our programs back to in-person while remaining vigilant and compassionate to those we serve, our staff, and our community members.

Working closely with our families

The pandemic revealed many of our parents and guardians to be essential workers who faced the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis. Our families include immigrants, refugees, single parents, foster parents, and those facing home insecurity. Pre and post-pandemic, DLEC has always worked closely with families to ascertain what they need most and obtain the best possible support to help them succeed.

Systemic racism and COVID-19

The majority of our families identify as Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and Bi/multiracial – communities that have been hardest hit by the pandemic and targeted by heightened acts of racism. Since 1970, DLEC has focused on respecting the cultural heritage and individuality of every family. As our nation awakes to the reality of systemic racism within our society, we continue to examine our own services and culture to best center our families and their needs.

Our safety protocols

A variety of health and safety procedures were put in place to ensure the safe arrival, departure, and care of children, parents, and staff. These included daily temperature screenings, limits on parent and guardian admittance into the building, and masks for staff and children five years and older. In addition, social distancing was practiced within our classrooms, and sanitizing protocols were implemented based on Public Health recommendations.

Our programs maintain an adequate supply of protective items such as face masks, gloves, hand soap, disinfectant, and sanitizer. In addition, we continue practicing cleaning procedures to ensure safety and protection from COVID-19, the flu, and RSV.

Limited Class Size: Following the guidance of the CDC, we have limited our on-site class size to a maximum of 12 children and 2 teachers.

Screenings: Daily health check and temperature check for all children. These are performed at drop off outside our center. Children are not to be accepted who have fever over 100.4 F. Parents are encouraged not to bring their child if he/she has any symptoms of cold, runny nose, or diarrhea.

If a child has two or more loose bowel movements while at school, we ask the parents to pick them up.

If a child or someone in the same household are experiencing any sickness or showing any cold symptoms, they are asked to stay home.

Limited Exposure: In an effort to reduce exposure and limit the number of people in the center, parents are not permitted to enter. Thus, we now have new drop off and pick up procedures in place:

Drop off: After a child is screened, a staff member signs in for the parent. The child is picked up by a staff member and escorted to his/her classroom.

Pick up: When a parent arrives, a staff member escorts the child from the classroom. A staff member signs the child out when he/she is brought to the parent.

Quarantine: A child who shows signs of illness or fever over 100.4 F will be sent home immediately. Sick children will be quarantined in a designated room with a staff member while a parent is notified for pick up. Parents must be able to pick up their child within 1 hour of being notified.

Cleaning and Disinfecting (3 times daily): Classroom staff are trained to practice specific cleaning procedures based on Public Health recommendations.

Social Distancing: Common areas, classroom and outdoor space use and layout have been adapted to encourage social distancing.

Protection Supplies: Programs maintain an adequate supply of protective items such as gloves, hand soap, disinfectant and sanitizer.