Bureau of Certification Services Fall Newsletter
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Cooler Days are Approaching
As fall approaches and lasts through December, cool weather arrives. Children should play outdoors when the conditions do not pose any health and safety concerns such as a significant risk of frostbite or heat-related illness. Providers must protect children from harm caused by adverse weather, ensuring that children wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
According to the National Weather Service, weather that poses a significant health risk includes wind chill factor below -15°F (-26°C) and heat index at or above 90°F (32°C). Child care providers should monitor weather-related conditions.
Open spaces in outdoor areas encourage children to develop gross motor skills and fine motor play in ways that are difficult to duplicate indoors and promote better nighttime sleep. Generally, infectious disease organisms are less concentrated in outdoor air than indoor air. This is particularly true for COVID-19.
Cold weather dressing tips:
- Children should wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
- Outer garments, such as coats, should be tightly woven and be at least water repellent when rain or snow is present.
- Children should wear a hat, coat, and gloves/mittens kept snug at the wrist.
Remind parents that according to 55. Pa Code §3270.114, §3280.114, and §3290.114 relating to outdoor activity, weather permitting, children shall be taken outdoors daily.
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Inclement Weather
Inclement weather can start as early as October. Providers should review their inclement weather plans and inform parents of policies and procedures regarding closures and delays due to inclement weather. Ensure that accurate emergency contact information is on file for each child in the event of an early dismissal.
Walkways must be cleared and maintained during inclement weather to prevent falls. 55. Pa Code § 3270.64, §3280.64, and §3290.62 requires that outside walkways shall be free from ice, snow, leaves, equipment, and other hazards.
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Preventing the Spread of Communicable Diseases
Cold weather can lead to less outdoor play. Because infectious disease organisms are more concentrated indoors, providers should have a written plan for seasonal and pandemic influenza (flu) to limit and contain influenza-related health hazards to the staff, children, their families and the general public. A list of infectious and communicable diseases can be found here. Resources for an effective plan can be found on Caring for Our Children.
It is important that child care providers review parent agreements and remind parents of exclusion regulations, polices, and procedures ahead of peak flu season. A provider who observes an enrolled child with symptoms of a communicable disease or infection that can be transmitted directly or indirectly, and which may threaten the health of children in care shall exclude the child from attendance according to 55. Pa Code §3270.137, §3280.137, and §3290.137 relating to children with symptoms of disease.
In addition, COVID-19 remains prevalent. The Health and Safety Plan Template remains available as a resource. Screening, social distancing, proper cleaning protocols, cohorting, and other COVID-19 mitigation efforts are still highly encouraged to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These efforts also assist with the ease and accuracy of contact tracing. COVID-19 guidance continues to evolve. Be sure to sign up for the Child Care Certification Listserv to receive the most up to date information.
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What You Should Know about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a virus that causes common cold symptoms most often in children younger than 2 years. We’ve learned during the pandemic that mask-wearing and other mitigation strategies for COVID-19, like using strict hand hygiene and sanitation practices, can limit the spread of viral illnesses such as RSV in group care settings.
However, a significant rise in RSV cases began in spring 2021, when universal mask-wearing was relaxed with the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines. Child care providers need to be aware of this current uptick in RSV cases because some children can get very sick and need hospitalization.
Children with a history of weakened immune symptoms, preterm birth, or heart or lung problems have greater difficulty with RSV compared to otherwise healthy children.
More risk factors for severe RSV infections include:
- Being around children in a child care setting
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Living in crowded living conditions
Similar to the Coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, children with RSV might not look sick but could be shedding the virus as it is spread by respiratory droplets falling on surfaces and when talking, coughing, or sneezing. RSV may be spread before obvious signs or symptoms appear.
Best Practices for Managing RSV
IMPORTANT: It is difficult to tell the difference between symptoms of RSV and COVID-19.
Below is information with signs/symptoms to look for and report to families:
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Children with known RSV infection may return to child care once symptoms have resolved, temperature has returned to normal, the child can participate in child care activities and the child’s care does not result in more care than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children. Additional information regarding RSV can be found here.
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Child Care Provider Trainings
COVID-19 has altered operational procedures for child care facilities across the Commonwealth. As a result, many trainings have been developed to assist providers in continuing operation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, child care providers continue to pivot quickly and make changes to their policies and procedures, specifically those targeting health and safety, to protect children and themselves. The COVID-19 pandemic has also created a need for increased attention to the mental health and well-being of both children and adults. The module below provides information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines specific to child care programs and offers insight into trauma-informed approaches to meet the current needs of children and their caregivers. You may access this module here.
The Pennsylvania Key offers additional trainings on the PD registry. Using the search feature with key words or acronyms such as “COVID” will populate a number of training for provider and child care staff. Topics include, but are not limited to:
- COVID-19 Safety Training
- Running A Childcare Center During COVID-19
- Safe Environments During Covid-19
- Management of COVID Reporting
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Coping With COVID- Strategies for ECE Professionals
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Supporting Children with Disabilities or Other Special Health Care Needs in ECE Programs
All children have the right to equitable learning opportunities that help them achieve their full potential as engaged learners and valued members of society (from the NAEYC position statement on equity). Young children learn best through every day experiences and interactions with nurturing people in familiar contexts. Child care providers and other early childhood education (ECE) programs create settings in which children have many natural opportunities to practice and learn through every day activities and routines. Early Intervention (EI) professionals coach and support family members, caregivers and child care and other ECE professionals in a child’s life through embedding meaningful and functional outcomes within familiar learning opportunities that exist in the child’s typical routines, in home and ECE programs as described in the child’s IFSP/IEP. EI professionals can help child care and other ECE programs in making accommodations and modifications, as well as individualized planning, and services to support children with disabilities or other special health care needs.
Continued screening of individuals' health upon entrance to a facility, wearing a mask, continued good hygiene, and vaccination will help to mitigate COVID-19.
When a child with special needs is enrolled at a facility, the provider should communicate with parents/legal guardians in conjunction with the child’s primary health provider (PCP) to obtain the information needed to care for the child’s daily needs and handle an emergency if it arises.
The Early Childhood Education Linkage System (ECELS) provides helpful resources and trainings for providers caring for children with special needs. ECELS offers several downloadable resources including a care plan checklist for children with special needs and other guidance documents for providers to use. Additionally, providers can contact ECELS to obtain specific training and professional development pertinent to caring for children with special needs. Please visit the ECELS Website for more information.
Additionally, the Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) may be able to assist a child with special needs by providing parents and their children with additional supports if the child requires medical management. Please visit the DHS website for contact information for each MCO in Pennsylvania.
While limitations may exist for child care providers caring for children with special needs, these resources may aid and equipped providers with the necessary information to be able to better care for children with special needs in their facilities.
Children with Disabilities or Other Special Health Care Needs Certification Compliance
Service to a child with special needs
Service to a child with a disability
Child medication and special diets
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Fire Safety
With October being Fire Prevention Month, the Bureau of Certification would like to take this time to remind child care facilities to review their operations policy as it pertains to fire safety. The six suggestions listed below can be used to help you ensure that your facility is in compliance with the regulations.
Fire Safety Suggestions to Help Ensure Certification Compliance and Legal Citations
Check that all smoke and fire alarms are functioning properly. Fire Detection:
Have an actionable fire plan. Fire Drills:
Never leave a room with an open flame. Portable space heaters are not permitted. Space Heaters:
Fireplaces and Wood Burning and Coal Burning Stoves
Have at least one fire extinguisher and staff should be trained in the use of the device. Age and training (fire safety training):
All exits should be easily accessed and unobstructed. Exits:
And finally, embrace the cliché Stop, Drop, and Roll!
The American Red Cross and the U.S. Fire Administration are two resources with information on teaching fire safety readiness. Click on the links below for additional information. You can use this information for your facility and to share with your families.
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Transporting Students
Fall is here and that brings back to school time. If your facility provides transportation to and from school or if you supervise children getting on or off a school district supplied transportation, please take time to review regulations relating to transportation.
Questions to Help Ensure Certification Compliance and Legal Citations
Have you contacted your local traffic safety authority to advise of pick-up and drop- off points?
Is the parent consent form current allowing the facility to transport?
If your facility provides transportation, are you meeting the ratio for transportation?
Have you verified the age of the driver, assuring that they are 18 years of age or older? Does the driver hold a valid license?
Are you using the vehicle restraint system per the regulation?
Is the vehicle being insured and used per the regulation?
Do you have a system to ensure that children are supervised boarding and disembarking the vehicle? Do you have a plan to ensure that children are not left on a vehicle?
Have you checked your transportation first-aid kit to ensure that it is completely stocked?
Please take time to review the highlighted regulations to ensure that your facility is ready for back to school.
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If you have any questions please contact your child care Certification Regional Office.
Certification Regional Office of Child Development and Early Learning:
- Central Region 800-222-2117;
- Northeast Region 800-222-2108;
- Southeast North and Southeast South Region 800-346-2929;
- Western Region 800-222-2149.
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The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports families
and their children, from prenatal through school age, by using data, research and
stakeholder guidance to assure high quality services.
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