Programs
Day care Programs
Daily Health Screening Conduct a health screening on each child before their parent leaves. Wear a mask during the health screening. Check children for fever and general signs of illness. Exclude children and staff when they have symptoms of COVID-19, a temperature over 100.4 degrees F, and/or dry cough and shortness of breath; have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 10 days; or are at high risk for COVID-19. Children or staff who are sick with other illnesses meeting usual exclusion criteria should also stay home. Hand Hygiene Have children and staff wash their hands upon entering the facility and frequently thereafter. Follow strict hand hygiene procedures at all times.
High-touch surfaces including manipulative toys, door handles, light switches, and electronic devices. Create a schedule and tracking sheet for cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for child care and other facilities can be found at this link Step-by-step posters for child care providers for cleaning and disinfecting can be found on the California Childcare Health Program (CCHP) website
Eliminate family-style eating during the pandemic, and wear gloves when serving food to children. Serve food on individual plates for each child. Seat children at the table with more distance between them than usual (six feet, if possible). Make sure children wash their hands before and after they eat. Provide healthy meals, snacks, and beverages.
Plan activities for individual play and small groups that do not require close physical contact, waiting in line, or sharing objects. Provide proper ventilation indoors. Open windows safely for fresh air. Arrange furniture to allow for more social distancing. Place cots and cribs 6 feet apart, if possible, with children facing head to toe at naptime. Refrain from hugging and shaking hands. Encourage outdoor play so children get fresh air and physical activity. Disinfect high-touch outdoor play equipment. Infants and Toddlers It is not possible to care for infants or toddlers from a distance. Infants under one year of age are more vulnerable when sick with COVID-19. Wear a mask for close contact and when handling body fluids. Provide clean smocks for staff, and change children’s clothing when soiled with secretions or body fluids.
If a child or staff member becomes ill during the day with fever (100.4 degrees or higher), dry cough, and/or shortness of breath, isolate them, apply a mask, and notify their family to pick them up right away. Always provide supervision for ill children. If symptoms persist or worsen, call the child’s health care provider for further guidance.
