The document, divided into seven sections, has been developed in an effort to make child care and afterschool operations as safe as possible by limiting exposure and social interaction. The guidance should be used in concert with the official Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Afterschool programs and child care providers play a unique role in combatting this virus, making it more important than ever to provide youth with services that excel in health, safety, and quality.
The guidance goes into detail on several topics.
SECTION 1 | PLANNING AND COORDINATION
- Determining need for services.
- Partnering with existing providers, schools and community organizations.
- Coordination with local officials.
- Planning activities.
SECTION 2 | SELECTING AND PREPARING FACILITIES
- Size and location.
- Use of FEMA's Public Assistance Program.
- Ensuring spaces are child-friendly.
SECTION 3 | STAFFING
- Required education and training.
- Health and safety.
- Ratios and group size.
- Program hours.
- Child serving staff are essential.
- On-site safety officer.
- On-site nurse or healthcare provider.
- On-site infection control staff.
SECTION 4 | ACCESS CONTROL
- Denial of entry.
- Pickup and drop-off.
- Exposure of parents/guardians during their workday.
- Transportation of children.
- Communication with parents.
SECTION 5 | HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Who can get coronavirus?
- Understanding how the virus is spread.
- Coronavirus in children.
- Hygiene.
- Sick children.
- Emergency medical attention.
- What should I do if the suspected sick child or staff member is confirmed to have COVID-19?
- Wearing of masks.
- Naptime and crib placement.
SECTION 6 | FOOD SAFETY
- Food and feeding options.
- Options for providing meals to children and staff.
SECTION 7 | CLEANING AND DISINFECTING CONSIDERATIONS
- Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting defined.
- Products to use.
- Frequency of cleaning.
- Toys and other equipment.
- Shoes.
- Laundry.
- Electronics.
The document also offers additional resources, such as checklists for deciding whether to reopen your program, staff training resources and more.
This document has been the effort of a great many individuals, all working to prepare resources for child care providers during a time of great uncertainty and shifting advice. Special thanks to the individuals and organizations that contributed in some way in its formation.
Together, we will get through this national emergency.
Courtesy of NAA.
