Bags, shoes must be sanitised daily: Dubai's early learning centres get reopening guidelines

Dubai - Child care providers should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds before and after handling infant bottles prepared at home or at the facility.

Bags and shoes of staff and kids must be cleaned and sanitised as soon as they arrive at early learning centres (ELC) in Dubai, education regulator Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has said. This came in a 79-point circular issued by the authority to reopen ELCs in the emirate.
"Nappy changing areas, and the bathroom usage routine for the little children should follow specific guidelines for disinfection and sanitisation as per Dubai Municipality guidelines for child development and day care centres," the circular stated.
Child care providers should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds before and after handling infant bottles prepared at home or at the facility.
"Encourage outdoor activities whenever possible, with no more than one group of children in one outside area at a time. A distance of 1.5 metres should be maintained during playground play time."
The KHDA has instructed ELCs to limit children grouping around each toy and equipment to four. Child care must be carried out in maximum 'stable' groups of 10 or fewer children. "'Stable' means the same 10 or fewer children are in the same group each day. This group of 10 children must be cared for in a room that cannot be accessed by children outside the stable group."
Prioritise admission for kids of working parents
The KHDA's circular states that should capacity be an issue, admission priority is "to be granted to mothers and/or both parents who are working from 'office' and have no alternatives or any other member of the family to look after their children".
ELCs are allowed to use buses at half capacity and to place marks on chairs for seating guidance.
nandini@khaleejtimes.com 
 

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