New Guidelines for Child Care and Summer Camp Programs During COVID-19
Almost 50 percent of licensed child care programs in Georgia have been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The child care programs that have been operating during this time have been doing so with strict guidelines. In mid-May, Georgia’s Gov. Kemp provided updated guidelines that will allow summer camps to take place and child care programs to serve more children.
Although many parents are excited to see an increase in child care options and a return of summer camp programs, we suggest that you understand the new guidelines and confirm that the programs you are interested in are following them.
First, you will want to check the guidelines from Georgia’s Bright from the Start: Department of Early Child and Learning (DECAL) as well as from the Centers for Disease Control so that you are informed on what you need to know and what to expect from your child’s care taker.
Here are the new child care provider guidelines:
No more than 20 people, including instructors, are allowed in a single location.
There will be no field trips or program provided transportation.
Child drop-off and pick-up will restrict parents to saying goodbye at the front door of the facility and in some cases, the child’s classroom.
Unnecessary visitors are prohibited.
Children with signs of sickness will not be allowed in. They will receive a temperature check upon arrival.
Staff and children will be sent home if they have a:
fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
shortness of breath
cough
Meals must be served in the class room, where possible, and should not be served family style.
You can expect child care providers to continue their rigorous cleaning and disinfecting as well as increase their attention on special high-touch areas, toys and etc.
Toys and games that cannot be sanitized frequently should not be used.
Toys that have been in a mouth or have been otherwise “contaminated by body secretions or excretions” should be set aside until cleaned by someone wearing gloves.
Machine-washable cloth toys should be used by just one child between washings.
Toys used by a group of children must be washed and sanitized before being used by a different group.
Cots and mats should be labeled for one child’s use; bedding must be washed weekly or before another child uses it.
Computers, keypads and writing utensils used by parents must be disinfected after each use.
There are more than 30 restrictions for summer camps, beginning on page 23 of the Governor’s Executive Order. Below are just a few:
Camps are restricted to day programs and will not be allowed to offer overnight options.
Parents must remain in their vehicles during dropping off and picking up of campers.
Campers and staff must be screened to ensure no fever, cough or other symptoms.
Groups including workers and campers are limited to 20 or less people with no social distancing requirement.
Campers, when possible, must bring their own lunches and snacks in sealed and clearly labeled bags.
Campers must use hand sanitizer upon arrival.
Workers must wear masks “as appropriate.”
Before returning to, or when finding a new child care program, ask your child care provider if they are following the safety guidelines from Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, as well as if they have had any staff sick because of COVID-19, and any other questions that will help you choose the right care for your child.
If your normal child care program cannot accommodate your needs at this time, you can call (877) ALL-GA-KIDS (877- 255-4254) to speak to a live referral specialist for free to help you find a safe, high-quality program for your child. Or, you can search for care yourself at QualityRated.org.
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