Schools and child care
Teachers, parents and caregivers have been resourceful, creative, and patient in supporting at-home learning. Child care and early learning centers have been critical in supporting workers on the front line of our COVID-19 response. We commend all their efforts! Please check this site for frequently updated guidance to keep children and young people safe in Child care settings and campus housing.
Currently all schools and higher education institutions in Washington State will be closed for in-person instruction through the end of this school year. Some school sites are operating "Grab and Go" student meal sites in King County.
Child care and early learning programs are open. They play a critical role in keeping emergency rooms operating, essential businesses functioning, and our children safe as some parents continue working. Our Child care providers are superheroes: From a parent in Public Health.
Report concerns about a case, cluster or outbreak in a schools and childcare setting.
Guidance documents
Prevent and prepare for COVID-19 in child care
-
Checklist for Child Care Administrators: Steps to Prevent COVID-19
- Changes to Cleaning and Disinfecting During COVID-19
- Bleach Labels for Spray Bottles (5.25-6.25% or 8.25-8.3%)
- More resources on cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting
- Child Care Food Handling Procedures During COVID-19
Respond to suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in child care
- Please report to King County Coronavirus Call Center: 206-477-3977, identifying yourself as a child care program, if:
- You have a single, mild case
- You are considering a brief 2-5 day closure or a longer 14-day closure
- You see a group of children or staff (i.e. a cluster) with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections in your childcare; OR
- Staff, children, or volunteers become severely sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections or undiagnosed respiratory illness (requiring hospitalization or causing death).
- Guidance for Child Care Administrators: What to do when you have a suspected/confirmed case of COVID-19 in your facility
- Checklist for child care administrators: Steps to take when you have a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case in your facility
Additional resources
- COVID-19 fact sheet for families
- Keep me home if...
Infographic displaying illness symptoms to determine if children should stay home.- Igu hay guriga hadii… (Somali)
- Mantenme en casa si... (Spanish)
- Giữ con ở nhà nếu... (Vietnamese)
- Cloth face covering information
- Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open (CDC)
- Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs (CDC)
- Child Care Resources & Recommendations (Washington State DOH, updated 6-19-20)
- Child Care Resources
- Child Care Aware
- If you have questions about COVID-19, please call the King County Coronavirus Call Center: 206-477-3977. Identify yourself as a child care provider and you will be connected to a nurse consultant from the Child Care Health Program.
- Seattle & King County Child Care Health Program
Signs to print and post to help establishments communicate with their customers and staff the steps they are taking to minimize the risk of COVID-19.
Posters for families and staff at childcare centers
While schools are closed in King County, many districts and higher education institutes are planning for summer learning/programs and the fall semester. Below are local, state, and national resources to support this planning process:
King County resources
- Guidance for graduation and other school ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Infographic: When Can I Be Around Others Again?
- Guidelines for Student Housing at Higher Education Institutions (HEI)
- Grab-and-Go K-12 Student Meal Sites in King County
Washington state resources
- Reopening Washington Schools 2020 District Planning Guide
- COVID-19-related information on childcare, schools, colleges, and universities, Department of Health
- K-12 School - Fall 2020-2021 Guidance, Department of Health
- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance & Resources, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention: General Requirements and Prevention Ideas for Workplaces, Department of Labor and Industries
National resources
K-12 schools
- Schools and Child Care Programs: Guidance to Plan, Prepare, and Respond, CDC
- Flowcharts to guide decision making for schools, youth programs and camps, and child care programs, CDC
- FAQs for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents, CDC
- Checklist for Teachers and Parents, CDC
- Considerations for Schools, CDC
Institutes of higher education
Resources for employers
- The types of camps and programs included in this guidance are allowed to operate during all phases of the Governor's Safe Start Plan.
- Group sizes should total no more than 22 people. (Camps may operate with multiple groups so long as physical distancing can be maintained.)
- Use of cloth face coverings by staff and children (possible exemptions are noted)
- Physical distancing should be observed during camp activities and drop off/pick up.
- Health screenings should be conducted upon arrival.
- Sports-related activities must follow the Governor's Guidelines for Sporting Activities and CDC Guidance for Youth Sports
Public Health guidance for youth and summer camps
- Considerations for Youth and Summer Camps, CDC
- Child Care, Youth Development, and Summer Day Camps During the COVID-19 Outbreak, WA State Dept. of Health
- Best Starts Blog: Summer Camp Guidance, Public Health — Seattle & King County
Additional implementation support
- Field Guide for Camps, American Camp Association
- Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Program and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019, CDC
- Resources for K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs, CDC
- Child Care Resources & Recommendations, WA State Dept. of Health
- Child Care Resources, Childcare.org
- Child Care Aware of Washington, Childcare.org