What do child care providers need to know related to the state-wide stay-at-home order?
Child care is considered one of the essential services under the state-wide stay-at-home order, and can continue to operate. For more information on the order click here.
Local public health guidance may differ, so always consult with your local public health agency if you have questions.
What safety, cleaning and closure guidance should participating providers follow?
CDPHE has multiple resources for child care facilities here (under the heading "Schools and child care").
Note that
Amended Executive Order D 2020 035 has changed the minimum time period a child care facility must close if there is a positive or suspected case of COVID-19 in a student, parent of a student, or staff member at the facility from 72 hours to 24 hours.
Additionally, guidance from the CDC is available here.
Local public health departments should also be consulted for support in regards to cleaning, safety and any concerns about closure.
Should children and providers wear masks and gloves in child care facilities?
Updated information from CDPHE regarding masks in child care facilities can be found on their page related to schools and child care facilities.
Public Health Order 20 26 requires workers in critical businesses (including child care) to wear non-medical face coverings while working, and provides additional guidance on the use of gloves. More information is available here.
How can providers access needed supplies that may be hard to purchase at this time?
Essential baby supplies, including formula, diapers and baby wipes, are being distributed to local Family Resource Centers and food banks throughout Colorado. These regional locations will help arrange the distribution of supplies to child care providers and families in need.
If you are in need of these items, please click here to find the contact information for the local distribution site closest to you.
Is food assistance available?
Yes. Providers can access food assistance through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
More information is available here.
Will providers be subject to temperature checks/monitoring or quarantine throughout their participation in the Emergency Child Care Collaborative?
According to CDPHE, “Children and staff should be assessed for signs of illness when they arrive and frequently throughout the day.” For more information on safety in child care facilities during COVID-19, review the following
document from CDPHE, and additional
guidance from the CDC.
Will all normal licensing requirements be in place for providers offering emergency child care?
The Department may waive certain licensing requirements for providers offering emergency child care if it will not endanger the public health, welfare or safety. These emergency waivers will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
What should hours of operation be?
Emergency child care providers can set their operation hours as necessary to meet the needs of the families they are serving. Child care programs may operate up to 24-hours a day, as long as no child is allowed to attend over a 24-hour period.
What are the recommended ratios for emergency child care?
Social distancing is important to control the spread of the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. Child care facilities should limit group size to 10 children, keeping a distance of 6 feet as much as possible and not mixing groups of children.
If we need more child care professionals, how do we get the okay to bring them into our operations during this emergency situation?
The OEC is working to expedite the process to transfer a staff members' qualifications, and programs should work with the Child Care Licensing Unit when they need to support the transfer of qualifications including background checks.
The OEC Child Care Licensing Unit can also look at approving waivers to qualifications for staff working in emergency child care on a case by case basis.
Does the Governor or CDHS know how long the system of emergency child care will operate?
The system will continue to operate during the COVID-19 crisis, subject to available funding.
