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  2. For schools and child care

Schools and child care

As of April 15, 2021, all people in Washington state age 16 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Due to limited supply of vaccine, not everyone will be able to access a vaccine right away. Access will improve as the federal vaccine supply improves and providers in King County receive more doses.

Learn how to get vaccinated in King County, read more about the expanded vaccination eligibility, and view Public Health's Vaccine Strategy.

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 updated guidance for schools and child care.

Currently, many schools and higher education institutions in Washington State will be starting the 2020 – 21 school year with remote learning. Many 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 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.

FAQ about schools and child care during COVID-19


Guidance documents

Do you need help with child care costs?

Do you need help with
child care costs?
You may qualify for financial assistance if you live or work in King County and fall within income guidelines OR are an essential worker.

King County Schools COVID-19 Response Toolkit, Guidance for K-12 Schools

COVID-19 Response Toolkit
for K-12 schools

Guidance for Child Care Administrators Updated Apr. 29, 2021

Includes guidance document, checklists, fact sheets, and letter templates to support COVID-19 prevention and response within child care. Translated resources available for administrators and families.


Respond to confirmed case of COVID-19 in child care

  • One or more individuals who have spent time in your facility have tested positive for COVID-19 (ex: child, staff or volunteer)

To notify Public Health:

  • Call the COVID-19 Call Center between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM PST at 206-477-3977. Identify yourself as a child care provider. Interpreters are available.
  • OR complete a COVID-19 Intake Survey. Public Health will respond with an email or phone call.

Refer to the Guidance for Child Care Administrators for more information.


Additional resources

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

Poster for Families at childcare centers

Poster for families at childcare centers

Poster for childcare center staff

Poster for childcare center staff

Supervise children who are wearing face coverings. Keep 6 feet apart from others as much as possible.

Poster for childcare facilities

Below are local, state, and national resources to support school planning process for the fall semester:

King County resources

Washington state resources

National resources

Resources for school workplaces

Poster: Face covering information for schools

Poster: Face covering information for schools

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The following archive of emails includes information and resources that are current at the time of publication (noted in the title). Information on COVID-19 and available resources changes regularly and may not be accurately reflected in older materials.

In order from latest emails to oldest. Most recent 3 months include bulleted details of what's covered (PDF):

  • April 29, 2021
    • Key Indicators of COVID-19 Activity
    • Physical Distancing in Schools during High Community Transmission
    • New Blog Post – Caution & Consultation are Key to Preventing Outbreaks in Schools
    • Updated Masking Guidance from CDC – What Does it Mean for Schools and Childcare Providers?
    • Healthy Washington Guidance Documents for Schools
    • Vaccine Updates
    • Events
    • Please Share with Your Community
    • COVID-19 and How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
    • King County COVID-19 Speaker's Bureau
    • Schools and Child Care Task Force Office Hours

  • April 22, 2021
    • Key Indicators of COVID-19 Activity
    • Physical Distancing in Schools during High Community Transmission – UPDATE
    • Updated School Operations Guidance from CDC
    • Healthy Washington Guidance Documents for Schools
    • Vaccine Updates
    • Events
    • Please Share with Your Community
    • Youth Sports Guidance -UPDATED
    • King County COVID-19 Speaker's Bureau
    • Schools and Child Care Task Force Office Hours

  • April 16, 2021
    • Key Indicators of COVID-19 Activity
    • Physical Distancing in Schools during High Community Transmission
    • Healthy Washington Guidance Documents for Schools
    • Vaccine Updates
    • Vaccination Event for People with Disabilities 16+
    • Return to In-Person Learning Support from WCAAP
    • Events
    • Please Share with Your Community
    • Youth Sports Guidance
    • Schools and Child Care Task Force Office Hours

  • April 8, 2021
    • Key Indicators of COVID-19 Activity
    • Distancing Guidance from the Department of Health
    • Guidance Updates for Phase 3
    • Vaccine Updates
    • Cleaning and Disinfecting: Best Practices Fact Sheet from the EPA
    • Return to In-Person Learning Support from WCAAP
    • Please Share with Your Community
    • Travel Guidance
    • Schools and Child Care Task Force Office Hours

  • April 1, 2021
    • Key Indicators of COVID-19 Activity
    • Distancing Guidance from the Department of Health
    • Guidance Updates for Phase 3
    • Vaccine Updates
    • Return to In-Person Learning Support from WCAAP
    • Please Share with Your Community
    • Travel Guidance for Spring Break and Beyond
    • Guidance Spotlight: School Bus Safety During COVID-19
    • Now that You're Vaccinated…
    • Schools and Child Care Task Force Office Hours

  • March 25, 2021
    • Key Indicators of COVID-19 Activity
    • Guidance Updates for Phase 3
    • Updated Distancing Guidance from the Department of Health
    • Vaccine Updates
    • Guidance for Spring Events: Prom and Graduation
    • Please Share with Your Community
    • Updated Guidancefor Travel
    • Guidance Spotlight: School Bus Safety During COVID-19
    • Now that You're Vaccinated…
    • Schools and Child Care Task Force Office Hours

  • March 18, 2021
    • Key Indicators of COVID-19 Activity
    • CDC Guidance Updates
    • Vaccine Updates
    • COVID Community Vaccination Event Planning Workbooks
    • Environmental Health after Extended Closures
    • CDC Recommendations for Ventilation in Schools and Child Care Settings
    • Special Enrollment for Washington Health Care
    • Events
    • Spring Break and Travel
    • Now that You're Vaccinated…
    • School and District Town Hall Meetings
    • Schools and Child Care Task Force Office Hours

  • March 11, 2021
    • Key indicators of COVID-19 activity
    • Vaccine Updates
    • COVID Community Vaccination Event Planning Workbooks
    • Special Enrollment for Washington Health Care
    • Updated Mask Posters
    • Events
    • Updated Guidance from the CDC – When You've Been Fully Vaccinated
    • School and District Town Hall Meetings
    • Schools and Child Care Task Force Office Hours

  • March 4, 2021
    • Key indicators of COVID-19 activity
    • Vaccine Updates
    • Special Enrollment for Washington Health Care
    • Events
    • Resources for Learning about Ventilation in Schools and Child Care Programs
    • School and District Town Hall Meetings
    • Schools and Child Care Task Force Office Hours

Key takeaways for youth and summer camps
  • 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

Additional implementation support

Training videos

Question-and-answer session with Nancy Bernard, MPH, REHS, CPSI, manager of Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) Indoor Air Quality and School Environmental Health and Safety Programs. Discussion topics include safer practices for disinfection in K-12 schools during the COVID pandemic and some of the issues/health reactions being reported. This is an accompaniment to DOH guidance on Ventilation and Air Quality for Reducing Transmission of COVID-19.  


This video will serve as a short primer to the King County Schools COVID-19 Response Toolkit and its various components, helping to guide you through its contents and identify key resources necessary for schools to prepare and respond to the needs of resuming in-person education.

Part one of a five part series providing an orientation and training to the King County Schools COVID-19 Response Toolkit: Guidance for K-12 Schools. Part one covers the roles and responsibilities of COVID-19 Coordinators and other roles at both the District and School level, as well as how they interact with Public Health. This is an accompaniment video series to the toolkit documents found on the PHSKC website www.kingcounty.gov/covid/K12-toolkit

Part two of a five part series providing an orientation and training to the King County Schools COVID-19 Response Toolkit: Guidance for K-12 Schools. Part two covers symptom screening requirements that schools and districts need to have in place to accommodate return-to-school learning. This is an accompaniment video series to the toolkit documents found on the PHSKC website www.kingcounty.gov/covid/K12-toolkit

Part three of a five part series providing an orientation and training to the King County Schools COVID-19 Response Toolkit: Guidance for K-12 Schools. Part three of the series covers actions schools and districts should take when notified of COVID-like illness symptoms in students or staff. This is an accompaniment video series to the toolkit documents found on the PHSKC website: www.kingcounty.gov/covid/K12-toolkit

Part four of a five part series providing an orientation and training to the King County Schools COVID-19 Response Toolkit: Guidance for K-12 Schools. Part four of the series covers actions schools and districts should take when notified of a positive COVID-19 case in their students or staff. This is an accompaniment video series to the toolkit documents found on the PHSKC website: www.kingcounty.gov/covid/K12-toolkit

The last installment of a five part series providing an orientation and training to the King County Schools COVID-19 Response Toolkit: Guidance for K-12 Schools. Part five of the series discusses when a student or staff can return to school given various different scenarios, such as after being identified as a Close Contact, after having COVID-19 or a COVID-like illness, or other situations. This is an accompaniment video series to the toolkit documents found on the PHSKC website: www.kingcounty.gov/covid/K12-toolkit

Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/covid/schools