Infectious Disease Policies and Procedures

Infectious Disease Policies and Procedures include:

  • Strict child exclusions for signs of illness.

  • Families may submit a daily health check for their child(ren).

  • The school continues to stagger arrival times not only to minimize crowding in the hallway but also to accommodate families who need to drop off at 8:00 or 8:15am. Individual arrangements for early drop off can be made with the Administration.

  • Children will be received and dismissed at the front gate.
    Note: If a child would benefit from having their grown-up walk them to class in the morning, adults are welcome to spend a few minutes in the facility while children transition from home to school.

  • In addition to training from NYC DOHMH, MCNS teachers continue to receive guidance and advice from CUIMC faculty and staff in Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics, Epidemiology and Public Health.

MCNS follows the NY State Guidelines (OCFS.ny.gov) as well as the Columbia Community Health Compact

Ventilation:  The Buildings Department of the Medical School regularly cleans our HVAC system, and has installed MERV 13 filters throughout the Tower. Our windows are designed so that the top section near the ceiling can open 3 – 4” as allowed by the child-safe window guards. Each classroom has an air filter.

Enhanced Hand Hygiene and Masks: 

  • Teachers and other staff may wear masks when they are with children. Teachers have always been required to wear gloves when serving food and when diapering and/or helping children in the bathroom.

  • Children are welcome to wear masks during the school day if desired. Children take off masks when eating snacks and lunch, getting drinks of water, and during rest time. MCNS has plenty of children’s and adult masks on site. There may be times when teachers place a mask on an older child who has a consistent cough, sneezing or newly running nose.

  • All classrooms are equipped with sinks, soap and paper towels for regular hand washing. CDC and FDA approved hand sanitizers are available in common areas where water in unavailable for washing hands with soap. Teachers also have hand sanitizer in class backpacks for use on the playground. 

Shared Materials:  Shared materials such as paint brushes are sanitized after each use. Blocks, dinosaurs, trucks and Magnatiles are disinfected throughout the day, and children wash hands after working with materials in shared spaces. 

Given that part of the work of early childhood is to learn how to navigate sharing space and materials, we believe it's essential that children continue to have opportunities to practice these crucial social/emotional skills.

Communication: Families in the classroom will be informed when there is a potential exposure of any contagious illness in the classroom so they may be alert for symptoms. These illnesses include, but are not limited to, Coxsackie, Noroviruses, and Strep. Names are always kept confidential.

In the Event of a Positive COVID Test:

If a child attending MCNS or a teacher or member of the MCNS staff receives a positive COVID-19 test result, that individual will stay home from school for at least five days. After five days from the onset of symptoms, children may return to school when they test negative for two days in a row, or after 10 days without a negative test result. If anyone in the household has a positive test, children need to quarantine for 5 days after the first exposure. They may return to school after two negative home tests on Day 4 and Day 5.

Please be advised that guidance from NYC DOHMH changes periodically. Typically MCNS will require any practice the DOH recommends.