Child care providers across the nations are closing as measures are set in place to reduce the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). If your child care business has closed or seen a drop in children attending and you're experience financial distress, these resources can help.

Please check back often as resources will continue to be added to this page. Page last updated March 22, 4:22 p.m. EDT.

Through our National Hotline, live chat, social media and recent webinar on Coronavirus Resources and Advice from the Field, Child Care Aware^® of America has received and compiled hundreds of questions from child care providers and families during the Covid-19 pandemic. Below are a list of the most frequently asked questions from providers and parents about Coronavirus and its impact on child care.  

Child Care Aware^® of America (CCAoA) understands that this is an uncertain time for child care providers, as they make difficult decisions around what's best for the business, community and families they serve. The safety and well being of staff, family members and children is of utmost importance.  

Note: This post and infographic were originally published on March 17, 2020 and have since been updated with additional clarifications on March 20, 2020.

Updated March 27, 12:50 p.m.

With all the news and updates around the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it can be difficult to grasp the proposals put forward by Congress. Below you will find a summary of each proposal passed or under consideration so far:  

Early childhood education programs are essential for the millions of children and families they serve and play an important role during emergency public health and economic emergencies. As schools close, families need back-up child care. As communities work to ensure no child goes hungry and essential personnel are able to handle emergencies, child care providers need resources and guidance to help assist families. And, as attendance fluctuates, child care business owners need reassurance that they will be able to pay their bills.  

Policymakers can act using these recommendations from Child Care Aware^® of America to ensure that child care programs can weather this growing public health and economic crisis, and to ensure families continue to have access to the care they need.

This time of year, illness seems to be everywhere. For those of us who work with children every day, the sounds of coughing, sneezing and nose-blowing are an unpleasant soundtrack playing on repeat from November to May. And this year, Coronavirus, concerning new respiratory illness from China is getting a lot of attention and has many people worried about what will happen as it spreads in the United States.

(Editor's Note: This blog post was originally published January 30, but was recently updated on March 14 to reflect the most up-t0-date information around the spread and status of the illness.)