How We Care for Your Child
Health & Safety
AFA is built around the daily standards that protect every child in our care. These are the practices we live by, not because we have to, but because every family deserves to know their child is in safe hands.
What happens every day
Hand-Washing
Routines built seamlessly into the daily rhythm of every classroom.
Daily Sanitation
Rigorous cleaning of all high-touch surfaces throughout the day.
Material Care
Frequent rotation and disinfection of toys and learning materials.
Outdoor Time
Built into every day for fresh air, movement, and healthy physical development.
The technology and systems that protect our space.
ZONO Sanitizing System
AFA uses the ZONO Disinfecting and Sanitizing System, which eliminates 99.9% of common viruses and bacteria from any surface. Items used for play and education, books, puzzles, game pieces, exersaucers, mobiles, crayons, can harbor germs and are difficult to disinfect with traditional wipes or chemicals. The ZONO system safely disinfects all of these items so children play in spaces that are genuinely clean. This is the same system used by child care centers, schools, and fitness facilities across the country.
NPBI Air Purification
AFA's facility uses Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI) air purification technology, the same revolution in indoor air quality used in hospitals and corporate environments. Our system delivers clean, healthy air without producing ozone or harmful by-products. All NPBI components in our facility are UL and CE approved. The result is dramatically improved indoor air quality for our staff and students, every day.
What happens when a child gets sick.
We observe children's health throughout the day and respond appropriately to any signs of illness. We are connected to a nurse who can be consulted when needed. If your child becomes ill at school, we will contact you immediately to coordinate pickup. The best way to protect every child at AFA is to keep your own child home when they are ill. We ask that families keep children home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours or have a physician's clearance to return.
AFA is required to send a child home when they have:
We follow Minnesota state guidelines for illness exclusion. The following conditions require a child to stay home or be picked up:
- • A reportable or contagious illness
- • Chickenpox (until lesions are crusted)
- • Vomiting two or more times in a day
- • Three or more abnormally loose stools in a day
- • Contagious conjunctivitis or pus draining from the eye
- • Bacterial infection (strep, impetigo) until 24 hours of antimicrobial treatment
- • Unexplained lethargy
- • Lice, ringworm, or scabies until treated
- • Temperature of 100°F or higher of undiagnosed origin
- • Undiagnosed rash or contagious rash
- • Significant respiratory distress
Secure Facility
Secure Entry
Controlled access with strict sign-in procedures for all visitors.
Pickup Verification
Only pre-authorized adults with proper identification can take a child home.
Background Checks
Comprehensive background screening and credentialing for all staff members.
Continuous Training
Ongoing staff certification in first aid, CPR, and early childhood safety protocols.
We plan for what we hope never happens.
AFA conducts regular safety drills, including fire and severe weather response. We maintain robust communication systems to ensure parents are notified immediately in the event of any facility emergency or weather-related closure.
Licensed & Accredited
Alma Flor Ada operates in full compliance with Minnesota state childcare licensing standards and maintains rigorous continuous professional development requirements for all faculty and staff.
Questions about how we care for your child?
We welcome every question. Reach out anytime.