COVID-19 Guidance for ECE/Childcare Programs
Because COVID can still cause chaos and confusion within our communities, we wanted to offer some info and remind you all to please reach out to your Child Care Licenser anytime there is an exposure in your programs that will close one or more of your classrooms. Please let them know the dates that you will be closed and how many children and staff are being involved in the full or partial closure. They will then be able to share any additional contacts or information that may be available at that time.
In addition, Technical Assistance Coach, Penny Hotovec has created a webinar, After a Covid Closure Webinar
to assist you with COVID related questions. (See slides with links below). If she can help you and your program in any way, please contact her at 307-745-2245×22 or penny.hotovec@wyo.gov.
If you or your program were previously affected by COVID-related expenses or loss of income, and you are needing assistance, please contact Wyoming Kids First at 307-575-2443.
Stay Safe!
Governor’s COVID-19 Education Pre-K to Kindergarten Transition Newsletter
Childcare Guidance Meeting with the Wyoming Department of Health held on June 9, 2020
Hosted in partnership with Wyoming Kids First and the Wyoming Afterschool Alliance, panelists Stephanie Pyle, Wyoming Department of Health; Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming State Health Officer and State Epidemiologist; and Nichole Anderson, Wyoming Department of Family Services introduced the most recent guidance and answered questions from childcare and youth serving organizations working to re-open. See the recording below.
For a broader collection of resources, including the Wyoming Afterschool Alliance Summer Activity Guide, a suite of fun and engaging activities and challenges designed specifically for this atypical summer, please visit wyafterschoolalliance.
CDC Guidance for Child Care Program/Contactless Pick Up and Drop Off
To better support childcare providers servicing essential workers, a team has recently developed a few tools to help programs implement best practice from CDC Guidance for Child Care Program.
Child Care FAQ and Reopening Resources
As you are all aware, the current State Public Health Order has allowed child care to reopen and expand care, while still prioritizing providing care to children of essential personnel.
The Department has been compiling questions from child care providers related to the requirements in the new Order. Below is attached links of PDFs of a Child Care Provider FAQ: Public Health Orders, Reopening and Expanding Services developed in consultation with the Wyoming Department of Health. And attached is a guide for Reimagining Child Care and Education After COVID-19, developed by the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative.
New CDC Supplemental Guidance on Child Care
Please see the link below it provides guidance from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they have posted a Supplemental Guide for Child Care. Written in collaboration with the Offices of Child Care and Head Start for a variety of child care settings, this resource provides guidance specific to child care on issues such as:
- Social distancing;
- Child pick up and drop off procedures;
- Cleaning and disinfecting of toys and bedding;
- Safely caring for infants and toddlers; and
- Food preparation and meal service
In addition, the Guidance document provides numerous links to resources that provide even greater detail, including information regarding children’s risks concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Early Childhood Caregivers,
We would like to share some information and recommendations from The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) related to COVID-19. WDH has reported that while the risk in WY remains low at this time, it is likely that the virus will continue to get closer and may spread to our state. For this reason, we would like to share some information and resources related to the virus so we can all be informed and prepared should the need arise.
The WDH website states that “this is a new virus and new viruses need special attention. We don’t yet know how easily COVID-19 spreads and how many people will experience severe illness. However, the symptoms reported with this disease are familiar to all of us: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Some of the steps that can help prevent the spread of such illnesses include: avoiding contact with sick people, staying home when sick, covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing hands often and carefully.”
What does this mean for you as Early Childhood Professionals and caregivers? We should continue to do the same things we do to maintain healthy and happy children and staff.
*Keep ill children and staff home to avoid spreading germs.
*Remind folks to cover their coughs and sneezes.
*Wash hands thoroughly and often.
*Review updated information from the WDH and CDC often to stay informed and prepared.
Current information is available from both agencies by clicking the links below. Once you are on the website, you may have to “dig” a little to find the child care specific information. We will keep you informed as we get more information. In the meantime, please check the below resources or contract your local public health office.
Resources
Wyoming Department of Health
Child Care Aware COVID-19 information
Wyoming Information Sharing Platform
CDC Interim Guidance for Childcare Programs
Cleaning and Disinfection Coronavirus Fighting Products
Parent and Caretaker guide for helping families cope with COVID 19
Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – A Parent Resource (English Resource)
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – A Parent Resource (Spanish Resource)
