Coronavirus Updates and Resources for Child Care Providers and CCR&Rs

March 05, 2020

Health care professional holding vial of blood

The Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) Emergency Preparedness team is committed to ensuring the child care sector has the support it needs in times of uncertainty. Emergency preparedness, response and recovery is vital for the well-being of children, families and communities.   

We understand that you may feel confused or unsure about how the Coronavirus (COVID-19) could potentially affect your program, staff, children and families that you serve. We have heard your questions and continue to research and share up-to-date resources and solutions. This week, we are drawing attention to several guidance documents, leading practices and training tools that can assist you in the coming weeks. 

Coronavirus Resources

1Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Child Care Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), February 16, 2020) 

This interim guidance is intended to help administrators of public and private childcare programs and K-12 schools prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among students and staff. It is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of COVID-19. 

 

2Webinar Recording: Managing Infectious Diseases in Early Education and Child Care Programs: New Learning and Training Tools (American Academy of Pediatrics) 

Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 
Time: 1 – 2 p.m. CT 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is hosting this one-hour webinar to learn more about two new tools available for child care health consultants, early learning program directors, health managers, health care professionals and others to use to help meet national early education & child care training requirements for managing infectious diseases. Susan Aronson, MD, FAAP, pediatrician and co-editor of Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools, A Quick Reference Guide, 5th edition. Participants will learn about the following: 

  • The important role managing infectious diseases training plays in early childhood settings 
  • A free new online managing infectious diseases module for any early learning provider 
  • A free, fully downloadable and ready-to-go managing infectious diseases training curriculum that can be tailored for your audience’s needs 
  • Training tips that can help you share managing infectious diseases information with your early care and education community 

 

3) Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus (NPR, February 28, 2020) 

This comic answers kids’ questions about the Coronavirus. It can also be printed and read to younger children. 

 

4) Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus (Child Mind Institute) 

Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. Here is some advice from the experts at the Child Mind Institute.

 

5Now, we want to hear from you: how is the Coronavirus impacting you, your business and your community? Tell us more. 

  • What is your community – your state, county, city or town – doing to address concerns about the Coronavirus?  
  • Has your child care business been impacted by any Coronavirus-related illnesses? How?  
  • What resources are you using to stay ahead of the disease?  
  • What information would you like to share with public health officials about the impact of Coronavirus on child care?  

As a national child care leader, CCAoA is committed to providing resources to help you keep your employees, the children in your care and yourselves healthy. CCAoA will share your input with your child care and CCR&R counterparts, as well as with national and local public health experts, to help improve the resources they provide to you.

And keep your eyes on this space, and on our Twitter feed and Facebook page for the latest information. We will update this blog next week with the feedback we receive at this link, and we will continue to share resources more often on social media.   

 

Tell us how you're preparing for the Coronavirus.

Topics: Health & Safety, Coronavirus, emergency preparedness

Julie Looper Coats

Written by Julie Looper Coats

Julie Looper Coats serves as the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at Child Care Aware® of America. Her professional service includes work as Senior Program Analyst for the Medical Reserve Corps project at the National Association of County and City Health Officials in Washington, D.C., where she supported Public Health Preparedness efforts across the country. Julie also has experience in emergency preparedness and response at the local level, working at the Oklahoma City – County Health Department from 2010-2014, where she managed the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps during several severe weather deployments, as well as provided support during the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and other large-scale events. Julie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management.