Children's Garden Nursery School
Indoor Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan
247 Locke Road
Ashby, MA 01431

IPM Coordinator
Heather Bussell

Primary Contact
Heather Bussell, 978-386-5647, Heather_Bussell@yahoo.com

By signing the end of this indoor IPM plan, the IPM coordinator, Heather Bussell, of this Daycare and the Pest Management Professionals described above acknowledge, and agree to the terms of this INDOOR integrated pest management plan.


A .INTRODUCTION

    In compliance with the Act Protecting Children and Families from Harmful Pesticides, Children's Garden Nursery School on 10/9/2008 12:21:00 PM has prepared the following indoor IPM plan. By centralizing all of the information about this facility’s pest management practices the plan serves as a guide to direct this facility’s IPM coordinator,  Heather Bussell , about pest control and pesticide use.

    This plan describes the pest management practices for indoor areas of the Children's Garden Nursery School and clearly states it’s pesticide use policies.

    A copy of the plan has been filed with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and at least one printed copy must be kept on site and made available to the public upon request.

    Objectives
    The objectives of the integrated pest management program conducted at the Children's Garden Nursery School are listed below.

  •  
    		• Reduce children’s exposure to pesticides and pesticide residues whenever possible.
  •  
    		• Manage pests that may occur on facilities to prevent interference with the learning environment of the students.
  •  
    		• Provide the safest playing or athletic surfaces possible.

    In light of these objectives, the Children's Garden Nursery School has selected the following as it’s IPM policy statement:


B.POLICY STATEMENT

    The Children''s Garden Nursery School desires to prevent unnecessary exposure of children and staff to pesticides and to eliminate the need to rely on chemical pesticides when managing pests. Selection of treatment options will give priority to non-chemical actions whenever possible.


C.IPM COMMITTEE

    The tasks set before an IPM committee are to:

  •  
    		• Develop an IPM plan. The IPM plan is in essence, a document that describes the organization and implementation of IPM on school grounds.
  •  
    		• Evaluate progress of the IPM program.
  •  
    		• Communicate about IPM - Facilitate communication within the school about IPM practices.
  •  
    		• Assist in development of contract specifications.
  •  
    		• Provide notification to parents about pesticide use.

    The INDOOR committee members selected for the Children's Garden Nursery School are listed below:
    1) Heather Bussell (Indoor IPM Coordinator)
    2) Heather  Bussell
    3) Michael  Bussell
    4) Kristina Patti
    5) Deborah Fortin


D. COMMUNICATING IPM WITHIN THE FACILITY

    All staff are instructed, as part of their orientation, to report any concerns of pests to the IPM coordinator Heather Bussell. Heather Bussell passes this information to staff/parents via staff meetings and/or written notice, as needed.

    Staff/Students communicate with their supervisors or teachers who then pass information onto the IPM coordinator.


E. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF FACILITY OCCUPANTS & STAFF

  • All staff are instructed, as part of their job orientation, are instructed to bring concerns of pests to Heather Bussell and not to use any pesticides. Review of the School IPM Policy is also included.
  • Staff are instructed in proper food storage, helping children to properly dispose of food leftovers and the importance of careful and thorough sweeping and floor washing of the building after children have finshed their meals.
  • All staff receive and review this information upon job acceptance and we review these policies during our May staff meeting and then as needed to deal with a specific pest.
  • Heather Bussell provides training yearly and as needed. Evaluation of the training is measured by the reduction or lack of pests.
  • Students are instructed not to store leftover lunch items in their cubbies.


F. INDOOR MONITORING

    The IPM committee will evaluate the plan annually. When pests are present, Children's Garden Nursery School has chosen an INDOOR monitoring schedule that consists of daily inspections. When pests are absent the INDOOR monitoring schedule will consist of quarterly inspections.

    The following technique will be used to monitor for pests:  Verbal reports from facility staff prompt the IPM Coordinator to conduct an inspection and decide on proper course of action


G. COURSE OF ACTION TAKEN FOR INDOOR PESTS

    The following pests have historically and/or currently been a problem at Children's Garden Nursery School:
    • Ants

    The School's IPM approach to managing the indoor pests includes the following actions:

    SCHOOL PEST DESCRIPTION
    tiny sugar ants

    SCHOOL PEST LOCATION DETAILS
    Every spring we have tiny ants which enter the building, usually around the food prep counters and floors in the infant and toddler rooms and kichen.

    SCHOOL PEST ACTIVITY
    Depending on what food item found, ex. a goldfish cracker- we could find 20-30 ants.

    MONITORING/INSPECTION
    Once ants are seen we check daily.

    ELIMINATING ACCESS
    Infant room and toddler room doorways have received new weather stripping and caulk around the bottom edges.

    ELIMINATING SOURCES OF FOOD AND WATER
    All our food supplies, once packages are opened, are stored in airtight, plastic containers.

    ELIMINATION OF SHELTER AND HARBORAGE
    We have not located any nests within the building.

    NON-CHEMICAL CONTROLS
    More thorough sweeping and floor washing has universally corrected the problem

    CHEMICAL CONTROLS
    PESTICIDE USE ATTESTATION:
    Pesticides are only applied by a certified and/or licensed applicator.
    Pesticides are used only when monitoring has shown that pests are present and when the use of the pesticide is justified or in the case of an emergency situation.
    Only pesticides allowed under the Children's and Families' Protection Act are used indoors.


H. RECORD KEEPING

    In the case of Children's Garden Nursery School, INDOOOR monitoring records will be maintained through the following technique:  The IPM coordinator keeps a log of any pests and removal techniques.


I. EVALUATING THE PROGRAM

    The IPM committee will evaluate the plan annually .


J. IN THE EVENT OF A HEALTH EMERGENCY

    During the creation of this IPM plan, Heather Bussell has assigned committee member Heather Bussell with the responsibility of applying for an emergency waiver.


K. LIST OF PESTICIDES TO BE USED INSIDE THE FACILITY

    The following list includes all the pesticides that will be used inside the Children's Garden Nursery School. This list includes all herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides that will be used in the event that chemical is required.

    Pesticide
    Name    		Active
    Ingredient    		EPA
    Registration #    		Target
    Pest    		Rationale
    for use



    I attest, to the best of my knowledge, that the above information is complete, accurate and true

                                             _____                                                  __/______/___       
    IPM Coordinator Signature                                                         Date

                                                                                                          / _       /               
    Administrator, Director, or Principal                                            Date

    Indoor IPM Plan originally submitted on: 10/9/2008 12:21:00 PM
    Plan updated by Heather Bussell on: 10/9/2008 12:21:00 PM