Health & Safety and Class Policies

Is Kids at Work offering online drop-ins via zoom and on demand?
Yes. Families can continue to register using the schedule on our website and their log in!

How does the full semester commitment for in-person programming work?
Winter/Spring 2021
Enrollment commitment is by semester, February 1 – May 28. Participants pay a 1-month deposit at the time of enrollment. On the first day of the semester clients will be billed for the remainder of the cost for the class. There are NO REFUNDS whatsoever on tuition once paid. Monetary credit towards future programming is offered in the event KAW is forced to close or delay its semester.

How do the payments for in-person classes work?
Those registering before the start of the semester will pay a deposit at the time of registration. The remaining balance of the payment will be due on the first day of the semester.

Price per class: $75
Deposit: $299
Remaining Balance: $976 (will be prorated in the case of a delayed semester start due to mandated shut down – please see “Possible Future Closure” below for detailed information.)

Those registering at the start or the semester will pay for the semester in full. Those registering after the semester has started will pay for the full semester, prorated for any classes that have already occurred.

How do the payments for the Gentle Separation program work?
The total cost of the semester has been broken up into 4 equal payments. Those registering before the start of the semester will pay a deposit at the time of registration. There will be 3 more monthly payments made on Feb 1st, March 1st, and Apr 1st.

Those registering on or after Feb 1st will pay the deposit and the first monthly payment. The first monthly payment will be prorated for any classes that have already occurred. They will then pay for any remaining monthly payments on the first of the following month.

What is the refund/make up policy for in-person classes?
There are no refunds, transfers, or make ups for missed days due to illness, vacation, or appointments. However, we can credit your account with virtual programming for missed days. Credits may be offered for families affected by COVID-19 as a close contact or positive case, on a case by case basis. If KAW needs to cancel classes due to a positive case ONLY, clients will be offered credits or refunds.

What is the registration procedure for families returning from the Fall 2020 semester?

• Deposit Payment: Kids at Work staff will send an email about whether you wish to continue with your class. KAW asks that you pay the deposit for your class by Jan 1st to hold your spot in the class.
• Brief Phone Call: Kids at Work staff will set up a quick 5 minute phone call with any returning families to provide an update on all policies and practices, as well as what will happen in the case of closure or delayed semester start date.
• Enrollment Agreement: You will receive an enrollment agreement similar to the one you received in the fall. It will have the any updated policies and updated payment information for the Winter/Spring semester.

What is the registration procedure for families that DID NOT participate in Fall 2020?

• Enrollment Questionnaire: Families must speak with whomever will be bringing your child about their comfort level of joining the group. Families will then submit an enrollment questionnaire. DO NOT submit an enrollment questionnaire without speaking with your caregiver.
• Parent Meeting: Virtual Parent meeting is scheduled with Kids at Work manager/owner. We recommend involving whomever will be bringing your child.
• Admissions offer is made: Please note we may not be able to fit your child into a group, and this is largely logistical!
• Pay Deposit: Parent has 5 business days to pay deposit amount, after which point another admissions offer may be made to another student. There are no refunds on the deposit once paid. There is a $40 reg fee for new students only that will be applied at the time of registration.
• Onboarding Process: Full onboarding process is started including health check software downloads, enrollment contract, and orientation videos for the parent as well as any adults who intend to enter KAW. We maintain a strict orientation process for all adults entering Kids at Work. Persons who have not completed the orientation will not be permitted to enter, thereby keeping everyone safe!

What if I no longer want to participate in the class for the full semester?
If Kids at Work is still physically open, clients may not opt out of the program early. It is extremely important for you to consult with whomever is bringing your child to Kids at Work to make sure they are comfortable with attending the programming.

Can I sign up for in-person classes after the semester has started?
If there is still space in a class you may sign up and go through the onboarding process above. Please read about our in-person programming and submit a questionnaire here!

What will class sizes be like for in-person classes?
Kids at Work will enroll a maximum of 6 children per class, accompanied by one caregiver each. Kids at Work programming is priced at a premium in order to allow us to keep class sizes small. It’s our hope that, as restrictions ease and our plan starts to work, we might be able to increase class sizes incrementally. Any changes to class size or changes to your child’s group will be made transparent for the entire group community, and will be done only with strict adherence to CDC guidelines.

When is KAW physically open, and when is it closed?
The following holidays are built into the tuition schedule. There will be no classes on these days and KAW will be closed: April 2 for Good Friday/Passover. This only affects Friday classes.

How do I use my drop-in class packages (purchased before April 1,2020) to purchase ONLINE DROP-IN or ON DEMAND programming?
Drop-in class credits purchased before April 1, 2020 must be converted to monetary account credits. Please email us at info@kidsatworknyc.com to have one of our staff complete this transfer. Once your drop-in class credits have been converted to account credits, you can use these credits to purchase virtual Summer classes. Clients can use your account credit by visiting our mindbody point of sale/schedule site here. At the Check Out/Place Order page you will see how many account credits you have available in green. Your account credits will automatically be applied to your purchase.

Please note that we are no longer using the Kids at Work “branded app” (looks like a Kids at Work logo on your device). If you experience any difficulty please feel free to email us at info@kidsatworknyc.com and we'd be happy to sign you up for whatever you want using your credit, sending you a receipt!

How do I use my drop-in class packages (purchased before April 1, 2020) to purchase IN-PERSON programming?
First, we will convert your unused class package to a monetary credit, upon submission of your enrollment questionnaire. After your deposit is paid in full, we are able to apply any credits as follows: Regular classes – credit applied to balance charged on first day of class. Gentle Separation - at a rate of no more than 50% of the WINTER-SPRING 2021 tuition per month.

How to I check my credit balance?
Once we convert your package to a monetary credit upon your request please, log in to our mindbody point of sale/schedule site here. Click on “My Info” and then “Account”. Due to limitations within our website, monetary credits cannot be viewed at www.kidsatworknyc.com. You can also email Kids at Work at any time for an account summary – info@kidsatworknyc.com.

What if Kids at Work is forced to close BEFORE Feb 1?
Any tuition paid is non-refundable, but unused tuition due to mandated KAW closure may be rolled over to such a time as KAW can reopen safely, or may be used on our virtual drop-in programming.

Should KAW be forced to close BEFORE Feb 1, families enrolled in Fall 2020 classes will receive a monetary credit for any missed classes in the month of January. This credit can be used towards Winter-Spring 2021 classes, online classes, summer classes, summer camp, or any other future programming before Dec 31, 2021. This expiration may be revisited on a case by case basis, but contact must be made before Dec 31, 2021 or any credits will expire.

Should KAW be forced to close BEFORE Feb 1, the start of the Winter-Spring 2021 semester will be delayed until such a date as KAW can reopen safely. Any missed classes after Feb 1 will be prorated out of your remaining balance. The remaining balance will be charged upon our re-opening and the start of the actual Winter-Spring 2021 semester.

Should the COVID situation in NYC remain unpredictable and potential closure seem imminent as of Feb 1, Kids at Work reserves the right to break your semester payment into separate payments. Families will be notified by email as far as any changes to the payment schedule or amounts. Kids at Work would break semester payments up in order to avoid large monetary credits on client accounts.

What if Kids at Work is forced to close AFTER Feb 1?
Any tuition paid is non-refundable, but unused tuition due to mandated KAW closure may be rolled over to such a time as KAW can reopen safely, or may be used on our virtual drop-in programming.

Should KAW be forced to close AFTER Feb 1, for families enrolled in Winter/Spring 2021 classes, you will maintain monetary credit with KAW that can be used at any programming before Dec 31, 2021. This expiration may be revisited on a case by case basis, but contact must be made before Dec 31, 2021 or any credits will expire.

See below for COVID-19 Health and Safety Related Questions.

Space Modifications
Please see the Health and Safety Video above to view the space modifications which include:

• Usage of only our front space.
• Newly constructed half wall separating play area from entry area.
• Individual lockers sanitized between classes.
• Improvements to lobby area, stairs, and second floor hallway to maintain cleanliness.
• Removal of all textiles that cannot be washed between classes, including carpeting, rugs, curtains, scarves, etc. Exception – we do use some textiles in our gentle separation, which are UV lighted after each class. We also UV light our entry mats between each program.
• Resurfacing of our hard wood floors so that we can maintain their cleanliness more effectively.

New Equipment

• Two Commercial Grade HEPA Air Scrubbers – constantly in use.
• UV Light treatment on all surfaces that cannot be effectively be microsprayed after each class.
• Hand Sanitizer and Sanitization Stations – will be stocked and maintained throughout the space. Kids at Work will source the most effective sanitizer while also considering the effect of consistent use on our participants.
• Hudson mist-sprayer for our child-safe prokure sanitization solution.
• DARCY AI temperature camera and health check system.

Partnership with Pathogen Alliance trained contractor from Black Squirrel Artisans which includes:

• Once weekly (rotating days) electrostatic spraying of all surfaces, objects, toys, instruments, walls, floors, lobby, and hallways, as well as staff areas.
• Training for staff on how to properly sanitize objects between classes.
• Training for staff on UV light use.
• Proper maintenance and upkeep of our HEPA filter air scrubber and HVAC system.
• Overseeing all health and safety parameters and plans and PPE use on a regular basis, while maintaining up to date protocols for Kids at Work.
• Immediate assistance with full professional remediation should we be forced to close due to a confirmed positive case.

Sanitization Assistant
Staff member assisting with the following duties (present constantly):

• Aiding students with socially distanced entry and exit (ie not allowing a client in the lobby until someone else has cleared it, etc using radio with second floor teacher).
• In the classroom, assisting teachers with constant removal of any items used by children during free play times, sanitizing the items, and placing them back in rotation if possible.
• Spearheading cleanliness between classes, along with administrative support and teaching staff.
• Sanitization Assistant will also be responsible for sanitizing all high contact items such as light switches, doorknobs, bathroom faucets, etc, on a consistent basis before, during and after programming.

Masks and PPE

• Per the NYCDOH, all persons over the age of 2 WHO ARE REASONABLY ABLE TO TOLERATE A MASK will be required to wear an acceptable face covering including: basic cloth face masks, surgical face masks, or KN95 masks.
• Children aged 2-5 will be encouraged to wear a mask in an age appropriate manner (through stories, modeling, and play), but if your child cannot tolerate the mask that is fine.
• Bandanas and pulled up shirts are not acceptable face coverings. Kids at Work will have acceptable face coverings for $1.
• Caregivers and parents must wear acceptable face coverings at all times.
• Staff must wear face coverings at all times when interacting with children, regardless of the distance between the staff and children.
• Trained staff will wear appropriate PPE between classes and during sanitization procedures to protect themselves.

Social Distancing

• Social distancing will NOT be required, maintained or encouraged for CHILDREN in our programming. If you prefer your child to be socially distanced from other children, you may wish to check out our amazing virtual programming.
• Staff and participating adults are required to do their absolute best to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and children, as long as the child’s safety allows.
• Our 900 square foot play area will be set up in such a way to encourage children to work at least 6 feet apart. Realistically this won’t always be possible, as children are social beings and are naturally curious about one another.
• During stationary activities such as music, adults will be given small mats to sit on 6 feet apart. Kids at Work will not contain any textiles (rugs, carpeting, scarves, curtains, doll clothes, etc) within the play area, except where we are able to launder or UV light between programs.

Other Health and Safety Measures

• All participants and staff will be asked to wash hands for 20 seconds in our bathroom upon entering the space.
• Kids at Work will only allow foldable strollers to be brought into the building.
• Fresh, clean socks will be provided for all staff, adults, and children, upon entry to the play area. Socks can be exchanged upon exit from the play area, after which KAW will launder them.

Staggered Entry and Exit

• Families will be given a specific arrival time. Arrival times are staggered by about 5 minutes.
• Sanitization Assistant will maintain distance between families at arrival using radio communication with teaching staff within studio.
• Social distancing at exit will be maintained using our hallways, which are separated by closed doors. No more than 1 dyad is allowed in each enclosed area at a time. Kids at Work has created the health and safety video above for you and your caregiver to watch, about how to enter and exit KAW safely.

Objects, Toys, and Instruments

• Each child is provided a kit of materials needed for their class. Their kits always stay at Kids at Work and are cleaned at the end of each class. They are not used between class by anyone else. Each item has the child’s name printed on it in order to help keep materials separated. Exception – Our gentle separation students utilize communal instruments that are sanitized between classes.
• Objects that staff and children handle are sanitized throughout class (“ad hoc” cleaning) by our sanitization assistant and teacher, as well as after each class. Kids at Work always maintains multiple sanitized objects to swap out at any time.
• Sensory Play – Kids at Work will not be using large sensory containers such as our sandbox. Children will use individual sensory containers which will be removed once the child leaves the container, and replaced with a new one, for a new child. Containers are labeled with the child’s name.
• Adult Supervision – All adults are encouraged to support one another by alerting staff or other adults if they see a child handle or mouth an object, so that it can be removed and replaced. Programming will be a community experience, and we are all relying on one another to keep KAW safe!
• Usage of Tables and Furniture – To the extent we are able, we will redirect children to fresh, clean tables during free play, and our sanitization assistant and other staff will work to replenish items as needed. For instance, if a child spends time painting at a table and moves on, the materials that child used will be removed or sanitized.

Cleaning Practices Before and After Every Class

• The entry way, elevator, and stairwell are cleaned at the beginning and end of every day. They are also cleaned before and after each class, and after use between each family as they enter. Touch points in lobby and elevator are sanitized between each dyad’s arrival.
• All walls, floors, and other hard surfaces inside Kids at Work are cleaned between each class with soapy water and sprayed with Prokure, which is a child safe sanitizing agent.
• Any fabric or sensory items that cannot be washed with soapy water and sprayed during classes are sanitized with the handheld UV light.
• Any play objects or other items used during class are cleaned with soapy water and Prokure.
• All mats, furniture, chairs, tables, large motor objects, etc are wiped with soapy water and sprayed with Prokure between classes.

Partnership with DARCY AI by Edgeworx Health Check Software

• All participating children AND adults are required to register and use the DARCY AI health check app. Information on how to use the app (largely picture based) will be included in your orientation.
• Each morning before coming to KAW, you and your caregiver will receive separate alerts from the app prompting you to complete your health checks.
• The health check also contains questions related to travel outside of NY.
• After completing the health check, you’ll receive a QR code. Caregivers can take a picture of the child’s QR code (which will be located on the parent’s device most likely) to place on their own device, if needed.
• Upon entry to KAW, QR codes will be scanned. All data will be stored in the cloud in case we need to go back and check this info at a later date or report to NYC Testing and Contact Tracing Corps.
• The SAME app also provides us with state of the art, small, hand held thermometer hardware, "DARCY", which will safely and unobtrusively scan ALL people entering the space from a safe physical distance. This data will also be stored within the cloud for record keeping.
• DARCY AI is also a camera, which will be placed on the wall in the play area. The camera scans persons as they pass for temperature as well as PPE, so if someone spikes a fever during class, administration and staff will receive an alert.

What if I or my nanny don't have a smart phone?
The health check app can be downloaded on to another person's phone, and the QR code can be printed off and physically brought to class for the child and/or adult. We also have a paper version that can be completed upon arrival.

Can two people complete the health check on the same smart phone?
Yes! Darcy allows you to set up multiple children/adults on the same app and will deliver a separate QR code for each person, which can be scanned upon arrival.

Staff Testing & Health Checks

• All staff are strongly encouraged to be COVID-19 tested every 2 weeks at no expense to the staff member. Staff members are paid for their time getting tested.
• All staff maintain the same health check software on their devices as all participants, and are temperature and QR code checked upon arrival.

Symptoms
Our health check software will question all staff & participants (adults and children) before their time in the space, whether they are exhibiting any of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough**
• Shortness of breath
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Sore throat
• Muscle/body aches
• Loss of taste or smell
• Headache
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

**Many children exhibit non-illness related dry cough and clear runny nose (such as with teething). We ask that all families maintain open communication about the history of such symptoms in their child. For instance, if your child has allergies OR has already been cleared by a pediatrician that it is not illness-related, please let us know ahead of time.

Those persons who are exhibiting symptoms must stay home. They will not be allowed to return to class until they either (1) stay home for 14 days since the onset of symptoms or (2) get NEGATIVE COVID-19 test results. In any case, they must also stay home for at least 24 hours after symptoms have gone away WITHOUT the use of medication. EXCEPTION - for younger toddlers where testing is not recommended by the child's pediatrician, KAW will accept a doctor's note to that effect. For more prolonged illness or quarantine, virtual programming will be made available to the family. If a child exhibits symptoms during class and is sent home, the families within that class will be notified and kept up to date on the status of the affected child.

“Close Contact” with a positive COVID-19 case
Close contact is defined as any individual who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. If you have come into close contact, you will have been alerted by the affected person or the NYC COVID-19 Testing and Trace Corps. Participants are required to let Kids at Work know if you are a close contact. This includes caregivers, staff, parents, and children. Our health check software asks if a participant has come into close contact with a person confirmed as having a COVID-19 positive test before each and every class. Anyone who answers a “yes” to this question will be asked to quarantine per the NYCDOH and refrain from attending KAW programming for 10 days starting from the date of exposure OR starting from the date of isolation of the COVID positive individual.

What if someone in my child’s cohort has been defined as a “close contact”.
Out of an abundance of caution, whenever we are notified that a participant (staff, child, or adult) is a close contact of someone else UNRELATED to Kids at Work, we do let the group know and we encourage all families to get tested. We keep the group abreast of the “close contact’s” testing results with permission of the affected person. We do not shut down any classes or do special cleaning, beyond the usual measures, or remediation in this case.

Testing POSITIVE for COVID-19
Families should be made aware that Kids at Work’s policies may be more stringent than other businesses, because we frequently work with unmasked children.

What if someone in my household who HAS been to KAW tests positive for COVID-19?
You are compelled to contact Kids at Work in the case of a positive test result on the part of ANYONE who has entered KAW within 10 days of the positive result or onset of symptoms (whichever comes first). Kids at Work is required by law to contact the NYC Test and Trace Corps and to supply contact information of infected individual(s). The infected individual will be required to remain at home for 14 days from the onset of symptoms or the positive result, whichever is sooner. Individuals still displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to come back to class until 72 hours after symptoms have disappeared without the use of medication.

What if the positive case is NOT in my child’s cohort?
In the case of a positive COVID-19 test on the part of a participant, KAW is required by law to alert the NY State and NYC Department of Health, who will contact the Test and Trace Corps to let close contacts know of the positive case. All participants in all groups will be alerted to the situation by KAW. Participants within the affected group, as well as their close contacts and family members, will be encouraged to get tested. KAW will close for 48 hours following alter of a positive case for a deep clean and microsprayer application by our remediation contractor, held on retainer for this purpose. All staff will be asked to get tested at no cost to the staff member. Staff members are paid for their time in acquiring testing for themselves. We ask our participants to remember that a positive case at KAW doesn’t mean that the case originated at KAW. We ask all participants to respect the privacy of all families and caregivers. This will only work if we’re part of a respectful, caring community. We DO NOT want positive cases to be fearful of coming forward as that puts everyone at risk.

What if there is a positive case within my child’s cohort?
Individuals who came into contact from 3-7 days before the positive test result OR onset of symptoms on the part of the infected person (whichever is sooner) Families will be notified immediately by Kids at Work by email and phone. Kids at Work will contact caregivers directly IF we cannot reach families within 24 hours of trying to make contact. Families, staff and caregivers who have been to KAW at the same time as the infected person, within 3-7 days prior to the positive result OR onset of symptoms (whichever comes first) will be REQUIRED to show proof of negative test results to Kids at Work before they can return to the space. The test must be performed at least 5 days from exposure. No quarantining is necessary. How this affects whether programming continues to run largely depends on how widespread the contact is. Cancellation of programming is on a case by case basis. Kids at Work never cancels programming without providing either credits or refunds to its participants. Individuals who came into contact from 2 days before the positive test result OR onset of symptoms on the part of the infected person (whichever is sooner) These individuals are considered "close contacts" by the CDC and will be contacted by the NYC Test and Trace Corps for further guidance. Kids at Work will share contact information for all individuals with the NYC Test and Trace Corps as required by law. Families will be notified immediately by Kids at Work by email and phone. Kids at Work will contact caregivers directly IF we cannot reach families within 24 hours of trying to make contact. Families, staff and caregivers who have been to KAW at the same time as the infected person, within 2 days prior to the positive result OR onset of symptoms (whichever comes first) will be REQUIRED to show proof of negative test results to Kids at Work before they can return to the space. The test must be performed at least 5 days from exposure. These persons will also be required to quarantine for 10 days from the exposure, per NYCDOH.

If you have any questions related to COVID-19 and our classes that are not above, please send us an email at info@kidsatworknyc.com.