and safety

The Mississippi Children’s Museum is excited to welcome children and families back through its doors! We continue with our mission of creating unparalleled experiences to inspire excellence and a lifelong joy of learning. As we re-open to the public, we are implementing new ticketing procedures and expanding cleaning protocols in response to recommended health and safety guidelines.

Our museum has always approached learning through an inquiry-based framework, which is how we approached our re-opening plans. We asked ourselves, “What will we do to safely welcome visitors?” and “What can our guests do to help us?” By working together, we are able to once again be a place for children and families to experience fun and the joy of learning in a safe setting.

At MCM, we take fun (and safety!) seriously!

Susan Garrard MCM President/CEO

Thank you for visiting the Mississippi Children’s Museum! We are excited to have visitors back in the building and have heard from so many of you that your children have missed coming to their museum.

We value your input and feedback on how we can best serve you as we proceed with our reopening. Please feel free to email us at info@mcm.ms with thoughts or suggestions so we can continue to be a place where children find joy and inspiration which we all need, especially in light of the recent pandemic!

We are excited to welcome you back to MCM where “We take fun (and safety!) seriously!”

Fondly,The Mississippi Children’s Museum Team

mschildrensmuseum.org and safety

WELCOME BACK!

THANK YOU!

601.981.5469

6 feet

What can you do to have fun safely?• Stay home if you feel sick – Visitors who are sick are asked to stay home and visit when they are well.

• Let us check your temperature on arrival – Members of our guest services team will ask to check all visitors’ temperature before checking in to the museum. This will be done with a digital thermometer and any guests having a temperature of 100.4ºF will not be allowed to enter.

• Wearing a mask is strongly encouraged – MCM strongly encourages all age appropriate guests to wear a cloth mask while in the museum.

• Maintain six feet of distance between groups – In order to limit the spread of germs, all guests are encouraged to keep six feet of distance between groups. In smaller exhibit spaces, numbers may be limited to maintain the recommended amount of

distance. Bright stickers have been placed on the floor to remind people where to safely stand. Discuss with your child how far six feet is and use the ribbons provided at check-in to learn about measurement and distance.

• Follow the provided rotation schedule – A color-coded rotation schedule will be given to each group in order to stagger the starting place for their visit. Please follow the recommended rotation to evenly distribute guests throughout the museum.

• Wash or sanitize your hands often – MCM has 11 sinks available for hand washing as well as 15 hand sanitizer stations throughout the museum. We ask that guests wash or sanitize their hands frequently during their visit as this is the best way to prevent the spread of germs.

• Limit occupancy with timed tickets– To manage capacity, admission will require a timed reservation. Guests can purchase timed entry tickets online at mschildrensmuseum.org. Museum members will continue to enjoy free admission, but must reserve an entry time online. Tuesday through Saturday guests may play for 2.5 hours, and Sundays for 2 hours.

• Expand cleaning protocols- Following every visitor session, the museum will close for 30 minutes in order for the staff to deep clean and sanitize the entire museum before guests are allowed to re-enter. Using Peroxide Multi-Surface cleaner and disinfectant, provided by EcoLab from the EPA approved list of products, all exposed surfaces of the museum will be sprayed and wiped down at minimum, three times a day. Every evening, deep cleaning will take place after the museum is closed to the public. Staff will also be cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces continuously throughout the day. On Monday afternoons, the museum will close to the public in order to sanitize and disinfect all surfaces.

• Modified exhibits and props– Props in the exhibits will be removed and replaced with a fresh set three times a day. Exhibit pieces like plush animals and items that cannot be readily disinfected have been removed. Sections of exhibits have been modified to limit the number of guests in an area. Costumes will be available for check out and crayons will be available upon request.

• Rotation schedules– MCM will be implementing a color-coded rotation schedule to direct the flow of guests throughout the museum. Guests will be provided with a map and directed where to begin their visit, as well as a recommended order to follow throughout the exhibits to improve the experience for all guests. Additional staff will be available to answer questions and assist guests.

• Masks and wellness requirements for museum staff– MCM staff will wear masks while in public spaces of the museum and continue to be screened for illness including respiratory symptoms, fever, coughs, and contact with persons who have contracted

COVID-19. Any staff with these symptoms will be asked to remain home and not return to work until 14 days after their symptoms end. Vigilance in hand washing and rigorous hygiene policies have also been implemented.

• Plexiglass barriers- MCM has installed plexiglass barriers at the front desk, Louis LeFleur Trading Post, and in the Red Rocket Café to minimize the spread of germs.

• Social distancing and signage– Six feet of space between people will be observed whenever possible. Fun, educational markers have been added to the floor to direct visitors on proper distancing for safety. Informational signage has been added throughout the museum to remind people on proper procedures and wayfinding.

• Increased number of sanitation stations– Fifteen hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the museum as well as 11 hand washing sinks.

• Field trip groups– Monday mornings will be reserved for field trip groups with limited numbers of students allowed per group. Teacher, parent, and chaperone to student ratios will be strictly enforced, to remain in accordance with regulation guidelines.

• Water fountains- Water fountains have been covered temporarily.

• Elevators– MCM’s two elevators will be limited to four guests at a time. Guests are encouraged to use our two sets of stairs when possible.

• Offer additional outdoor programming– Educational programs and activities will be outside in our many garden spaces whenever possible. These garden spaces include 20,000 square feet in our Gertrude C. Ford Literacy Garden, our Pollinator’s Playground, and our newly planted Victory Garden.

What is MCM doing to keep you safe?