What we’re doing to stay safe and healthy

Leadership of Madison Children’s Museum is closely following the reports and responses to novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

We take our cues from the city, county, and state public health departments, who are currently recommending that people should continue their regular activities. Given those considerations, we remain open regular hours and continue to provide our usual opportunities for creative, hands-on play.

At Madison Children’s Museum, the health and safety of our visitors is always our top priority. Cold and flu season is an annual reality for families and children, so we already maintain a rigorous daily cleaning practice to keep our spaces safe and sanitary. 

• Our staff sanitize high-touch surfaces like doors, handles, stair railings, and elevator buttons multiple times per day. 
• We continually monitor the cleanliness of our exhibits throughout the day and provide “yuck bags” for visitors to place loose parts items that have gotten dirty in any way. These items are sanitized before going back on the floor.
• The whole museum receives a thorough, professional cleaning each evening after business hours.

In response to the current situation, we’re ratcheting up our cleaning and sanitizing routines and introducing resources to help visitors teach their children good hygiene practices, which the Center for Disease Control advises are our best defense.

• We have roughly doubled the frequency of cleaning high-touch points during open hours.
• We have child-friendly, touch-free sinks with anti-bacterial soap in the bathrooms on all of our floors and an extra one in the Art Studio. The CDC advises that washing with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs. We are adding new child-friendly signs in the bathrooms that reinforce good hand washing techniques.
• We are increasing the amount and visibility of hand sanitizer gel available throughout the museum, which the CDC advises should be a second choice—the first being washing with soap and water.

To prevent the spread of all illness we ask our staff to stay home if they are not feeling well and we encourage our visitors to do the same. About a year ago, we instituted a policy so that part time staff—who are generally not benefits-eligible—have a bank of paid sick time. And if staff are feeling marginally ill, we encourage them to err on the side of caution and work from home, whenever possible. 

Museum leadership is engaged in a number of planning processes regarding institutional readiness and responsiveness. 

The COVID-19 health challenge is new. But many of the best prevention measures are tried and true. This situation can provide a good reminder for everyone to teach and practice good hygiene to reduce the spread of all illnesses.