Regulated child-care operators free until May 30, with list of rules for expansion

Regulated daycaresin Newfoundland and Labrador have a new set of instructions to follow when services expand slightly on Monday,as the province relaxespublic health restrictions to Alert Level 4.

The policy, sent to regulated child-care centres and day homes, said that children of current clients going back to work can now attend, in addition to children of essential workers.

Minister of Education and Early Childhood Education Brian Warrsaidover 900 families with essential workers have availed of free child-care.

He said the regulated daycare is free until May 30 foressential workers, andcurrent clients with parents returning to work, because the province is paying those centres and family operators as if they were at full capacity.

"I hope that we can get to Alert Level 3and get more of our children back in our daycares and obviously more people out working and get the economy kick-started again," said Warr.

Warr said he hasn't heard any concern from early childhood educators about a possible increase in the number of children being cared for, although he's not sure how many more children will be attending come Monday.

Theguidelines were created in consultation with public health and the chief medical officer of health.

"Child-care operators have been open all along for essential workers so there is experience right now in the industry in providing a safe environment for children to be cared for while their parents are working," Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said Wednesday afternoon.

Reduced capacity, frequent cleaning

Under the policy, everyone entering a child-care service must be screened forCOVID-19 symptoms and asked about theirtravel history each time they go in.

People with respiratory symptoms, like fever, cough, fatigueor muscle aches, are not allowed to enter or participate in child-care for two weeks.

Child-care operators must close if20 per centof staff and children within a homeroom or the facility itself have respiratory illness48 hours before attending.

Child-care centres will operate at just half their normal capacity, or a maximum of 30 people including adults or children, whichever is fewer. No more than 10 people can be assigned to a homeroom or an outdoor play area and travel outside the child-care centre is not permitted.

As of Monday, regulated child-care centres and day homes must also record everyone who comes in on their daily register.

The policy said family dayhomes should be restricted to peoplecurrently living there and the familiesreceiving care.

"This is important for contact tracing should it be required," it read.

Child-care operators must keep entrances locked, and post signs about drop off and pick up procedures.

Measures put in place at the beginning of the pandemic, like having one parent at drop off and pick up, and having them stay in their vehicles until they've been screened for COVID-19 symptoms by phone, handwashing and physical distancing will continue.

Enhanced cleaning, sanitation and disinfection practices, like cleaning surfaces that are frequently touchedtwice daily and removingclutter and toys that can't be easily cleaned, will also continue.

Sensory play, like water, sand, and play dough must be avoided unless they can ensure it will be used by only one child, or their sibling.

Under extenuating circumstances, child-care services can temporarily change the age range they're licensed to care for to accommodate siblingsofessential workers.

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