COVID-19 Related Information
Good afternoon all,

DCF sent out the following information today, 4.21.2020, and I wanted to share it with you in case you did not already receive it.

  GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS
GENERAL OPERATIONS:

Child care programs should adhere to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-91 regarding Essential Services and Activities. Child care programs that remain operational and continue to provide services to enable essential employees to work as permitted, to the extent possible, should operate under the following conditions:
  • Implement social distancing strategies – work with your county health department to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.
  • Intensify cleaning and disinfection efforts, including devising a schedule, and focus on toys, games, and other objects and surfaces that are frequently used.
  • Modify drop-off and pick-up procedures to include thorough screening -- all individuals entering a facility should be screened according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
  • Maintain an adequate ratio of staff to children to ensure safety; ensure groups are 10 or fewer (inclusive of child care providers).
  • Children and child care providers shall not change from one group to another.
  • If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room and not mix or interact with each other.
The CDC has guidance for child care programs that remain open available for reference: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html

SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19:

If a case of COVID-19 is suspected in a child care program, providers should immediately notify parents and other relevant contacts. In addition, the facility should temporarily close and follow disinfecting procedures as outlined by the county health department and the CDC. Additional information may be found on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html. Cleaning and disinfecting after individuals suspected/confirmed to have COVID-19 have been in the facility:
  • It is recommended to close off areas that the individual entered or neared.
  • Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area. If possible, wait up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning and disinfecting.
  • Staff should clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the individual, focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.
  • Observe/evaluate staff and children who may have come into contact with the individual in question for early signs or symptoms.

If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at the child care program, the local county health department will provide guidance and next steps. In addition, the facility should close temporarily and reopen at the direction of the Department of Health. To be clear, if there is a confirmed positive:
  1. Coordinate with local county health department.
  2. Dismiss children and child care providers for several days.
  3. Communicate with parents and providers.
  4. Clean and disinfect thoroughly.

Additionally, there is a link below to a webinar hosted by OCC/CDC that you may find helpful.

Suzan Gage
Executive Director
We exist to grow healthy children, parents, and the relationship between them.
Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning