After weeks under a stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state of Arizona is starting to reopen businesses and to see people returning to offices.
Parents now face the need to evaluate what is best for their children: staying at home a little longer, or going back to childcare and summer programs. As has been the case since COVID-19 first began affecting our daily lives, many parents are uncertain about the best approach.
Opinions on how to proceed during the next few weeks are diverse. Each household’s situation is different. Many parents do not have the option to work from home and must rely on childcare. Some parents feel torn between their job’s responsibilities and their desire to keep their children safe.
As you begin to consider sending your child to in-person care and enrichment activities, be aware of best practices. Childcare professionals have collaborated with public health entities to develop guidelines and standards (PDF) to provide this necessary service safely.
To reduce health risks and soothe anxious thoughts, you should communicate openly with your childcare providers. Ask, and verify, how the program is managing the following:
- Arrivals and pickups: Are adults besides the program’s staff allowed to come inside? Are the children’s temperatures checked upon arrival? Does the program follow other screening procedures? Do they enforce hand washing upon arrival?
- Daily routines: Are the providers limiting the number of children per group? How are they keeping groups separated? Are hand washing and temperature checks reinforced frequently during the day?
- Health practices: What procedures have they established to safely prepare food, sanitize surfaces, and protect their staff’s and your child’s health?
When selecting a childcare program, confirm they follow the main considerations suggested by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: implementation of physical distancing strategies; intensified cleaning and disinfection processes; modification of arrival and departure routines; and application of health screening procedures.
For additional information on COVID-19 prevention and control at schools, review the World Health Organization’s guidance (PDF).
Finally, remember to keep open communication with your children too. Encourage them to share their feelings and questions. Support their emotional health by providing the appropriate answers and tools they need to return confidently to the classroom.