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

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

1) Interim 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. 

2) Webinar 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.

5) Now, 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.