Child care programs are reopening in California with significant changes to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19. These are some of the changes detailed in federal, state and county health and safety guidelines. Child care providers are expected to meet these guidelines to the extent feasible.

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COVID-19 daycare health & safety

Health & safety
COVID-19 daycare mealtime

Mealtime
COVID-19 daycare playtime

Playtime

COVID-19 daycare naptime

Naptime

Source: These health and safety guidelines are based on information issued from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the California Department of Public Health, the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing, and county public health departments.

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  1. Doug Husen 3 years ago3 years ago

    Can you confirm in California any legislation, county, or Child Care Licensing Program source for the maximum 10 children in a classroom? I cannot find it anywhere or from any source you are citing. Thank you.

    Replies

    • Zaidee Stavely 3 years ago3 years ago

      Hi Doug, The maximum 10 children was from early guidelines from the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Education. Since then, the state has changed its guidelines, which now call for child care programs to make groups as small as possible. However, each county has its own public health regulations, which often do call for a maximum number of children in each group, in many counties the number is 12.

  2. Sharon Grimes 4 years ago4 years ago

    As a board member for our church preschool I would like to ask if the state will be considering schools to be able to use extra rooms for smaller groups of children to help the families that count on child care. The rooms may not have a bathroom in them but have bathrooms to use close by that can be cleaned after each use. It's so hard to not be able to take all … Read More

    As a board member for our church preschool I would like to ask if the state will be considering schools to be able to use extra rooms for smaller groups of children to help the families that count on child care.

    The rooms may not have a bathroom in them but have bathrooms to use close by that can be cleaned after each use. It’s so hard to not be able to take all of our children who were enrolled before.

  3. Grace 4 years ago4 years ago

    What is the teacher to children ratio in a classroom at a preschool in California? Any website that I can find the specific ratio numbers for toddler class and primary class. Thanks!

    Replies

    • Zaidee Stavely 4 years ago4 years ago

      Hi Grace, that depends on how the preschool is licensed, under Title 22 or Title 5. You can find the ratios here: https://rrnetwork.org/assets/general-files/Title-5-Title-22-Comparison-Chart.pdf. In addition, California health and safety guidelines during the pandemic call for the smallest groups possible, and county public health departments each have regulations that may call for a specific number.

  4. Susan 4 years ago4 years ago

    What rights do teachers have when parents of some children are anti maskers and their Facebook posts show them traveling out of the area, not social distancing or wearing face masks with groups of friends. who are also anti maskers. My daughter’s preschool in California is also a day care with kids there 8 hours a day.

  5. Loretta Martinez 4 years ago4 years ago

    This Covid-19 has changed my daycare. I am following the rules & it’s working great for my daycare. Children are adjusting just fine.

  6. Frances Avila 4 years ago4 years ago

    Great resources!

  7. david 4 years ago4 years ago

    We are a City-base State Licensed Childcare Center with two classrooms. Our normal enrollment is 24 per classroom. With COVID related restrictions now setting classroom max. at 10 children, we will realize a significant reduction in revenue for what was previously a cost-covering program. This is not sustainable given the City's overall budget challenges due to a reduced tax base. Any insight anyone has regarding when class sizes will be increased … Read More

    We are a City-base State Licensed Childcare Center with two classrooms. Our normal enrollment is 24 per classroom. With COVID related restrictions now setting classroom max. at 10 children, we will realize a significant reduction in revenue for what was previously a cost-covering program. This is not sustainable given the City’s overall budget challenges due to a reduced tax base. Any insight anyone has regarding when class sizes will be increased will be greatly appreciated. We are sure we are not the only ones facing this difficult decision to either close our Center or run at a significant deficit.

  8. Louann Roberts 4 years ago4 years ago

    My grandson’s church-run preschool in Orange County – The teachers are not wearing masks in the classroom with the children and we were told that the CA department of social services said teachers don’t have to wear masks around children in the classroom. According to the above list of guidelines they should be. Can you please give me information I can talk with them about to change their policy?

  9. Esthela 4 years ago4 years ago

    Very good info

  10. K C 4 years ago4 years ago

    Will be interesting to see the lasting effects on the children of this generation and the effectiveness of these measures. In a world with so much done behind a computer screen we’re limiting interaction and social/emotional intelligence even further. Makes me sad for the kids.

  11. Marizal Baca 4 years ago4 years ago

    Thank you

  12. NORMA L CONTRERAS 4 years ago4 years ago

    Thank you for all the information to keep us informed.

  13. Gigi Dugan 4 years ago4 years ago

    It would be all good if the rooms had air purifiers in each classroom

  14. Sandy 4 years ago4 years ago

    Will Community Care Licensing perform virtual check-ins with facilities to ensure enforcement of new guidelines?

  15. tammy gallagher 4 years ago4 years ago

    Are there recommended numbers that our Administration needs to realize before we re-open? Will food program and other grants be affected by safer lower numbers in CA?

  16. Brenda Graves 4 years ago4 years ago

    What is happening with the transitional kindergarten?