Outside Drop-Offs and Face Covering for Kids (and You)

[284878]

I am weeks away from having families return and I am debating on a few changes.

Currently, I have the dcp text (as their electronic signature) when they arrive and I go out to exchange the kids. The kids that are all over 2 and I only have one family a day.

I have been checking temps outside and doing a health check before the DCK goes inside. (I have to admit, I am really liking not having DCP in my house.)

Anyway, when more kids start back up, I will have up to 3 families a day with 3 different drop off times (730, 830, 1130). With 2 kids under 2. (1 under 1)

How can I continue my outside exchange safely?


Do you require kids to wear face mask or coverings? If so, what is your policy for this? Who supplies? Should DCK practices at home first? Where do you get mask?

Do you wear a mask all day too?

[jenboo]

Originally Posted by 284878

I am weeks away from having families return and I am debating on a few changes.

Currently, I have the dcp text (as their electronic signature) when they arrive and I go out to exchange the kids. The kids that are all over 2 and I only have one family a day.

I have been checking temps outside and doing a health check before the DCK goes inside. (I have to admit, I am really liking not having DCP in my house.)

Anyway, when more kids start back up, I will have up to 3 families a day with 3 different drop off times (730, 830, 1130). With 2 kids under 2. (1 under 1)

How can I continue my outside exchange safely?


Do you require kids to wear face mask or coverings? If so, what is your policy for this? Who supplies? Should DCK practices at home first? Where do you get mask?

Do you wear a mask all day too?

Is your daycare space near your front door? Could the parents walk their children up to the front door vs you walking all the way outside?

No one wears a mask in my home. Just my opinion, but I would not send my child if he was required to wear a mask at daycare.

I also don't see young children keeping them on all day without constantly messing with them. What about when they are running around outside and eating? Wouldn't everyone already be getting exposed during those times anyway?

[dolores]

A NYS safety training I completed yesterday said staff has to wear mask all day but not kids which would make it difficult for kids to see your facial expressions but we could draw those, i.e. smile on mask, . It was also mentioned that daily checks at door have to include temperature taking with a no-touch thermometer. Thermometer has to be wiped and glove changed after each child. I had asked if we can purell gloves instead and got no answer. Changing gloves after each child throughout the day sounds expensive and impractical. Does anyone do this? And since I'm looking to switch gloves I use, what kind of gloves do you use?

[Blackcat31]

Parents text when they are on the way or here.

ONE family outside their vehicle at a time. If two arrive at same time, one just waits until the other has completed drop off.

My yard is fenced. Parents bring child to fence gate.
I stay on my front step. Parent stays at gate. Child walks/runs to me. Parents never enter gated yard.

Only one family has a child under 2, I walk to parent at gate and take child. Parent and I wear a mask during exchange.

No masks are worn by myself or kids during the day.

Kids come in and immediately go to the bathroom and wash hands and face. Bathroom is sanitized between use.

Reverse all that at pick up.

It's ALOT of extra steps but it's the best I got to prevent contact or spread.

[littlefriends]

Mine bring kiddo to front porch, I unlock the door (all glass screen door; I keep actual front door open so I can see if someone is there) and let kiddo in. I take temp and then wave parent off. They hang up jacket, put shoes away, and go wash in the bathroom. I absolutely LOVE not letting parents in!! I am by myself so I can't leave the others alone to go outside.

Not doing masks (planning on doing so if I need to do a home tour for an interview). I think the kids won't leave them alone and what's the point if they're here touching everything, eating, etc for 9-10 hours. No mask for me either-again, not much of a point since we are all in such close proximity for such a long time. Just keeping things disinfected constantly to try to do the best as possible.

[284878]

This is an email I received by the state about wearing face covering during daycare.


"After Executive Order 2020-59 was announced, some questions have been asked about wearing masks in child care. The following questions have been added to the last page of the child care FAQ document that can be found here. They can also be found in the FAQ document across state government here.

Should child care workers wear masks when serving children?

In Executive Order 2020-59, Governor Whitmer required all employers whose workers perform in person work to provide non-medical grade face coverings to their workers effective April 26. This includes child care providers. Cloth face coverings, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchiefs, are best. N95 masks and surgical masks are not recommended at this time. The CDC provides more guidance for how to properly wear and sanitize a cloth face covering.

To slow the spread of COVID-19, workers are strongly encouraged (and may be required by their employer) to wear a cloth face covering while serving children and interacting with parents and families. We understand the challenges of wearing face covering while serving young children. Employers must develop a preparedness and response plan that includes when, where, how, and if employees are required to wear cloth face coverings.

Should parents and caregivers wear masks when dropping their children off at child care?

We strongly recommend that child care providers implement policies requiring parents and caregivers to wear cloth face coverings when dropping their children off at child care— especially at center-based care. In Executive Order 2020-59, Governor Whitmer required any individual that is able to medically tolerate a face covering must wear a covering over his or her nose and mouth when in any enclosed pubic space. Cloth face coverings, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchiefs, are best. The CDC also recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., going to the pharmacy or grocery store). This is especially important in communities with significant community-based transmission.

Should children wear masks while in child care?

At this time, local child care providers should set their own policies about whether children should wear cloth face coverings while in child care. This decision will depend on the age of the child, number of children in care, and the level of community spread. Cloth face coverings should never be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone unable to remove the face covering without assistance. While cloth face coverings help slow the spread of COVID-19, it can be difficult for children (especially toddlers and preschoolers) to wear a cloth face covering. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides tips for how to help children be more comfortable wearing cloth face coverings and provides more information to inform your decision about whether to require children in your care, over age 2, to wear cloth face coverings.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact your consultant."

[Cat Herder]

Here, masks are for ages 3 and up, if tolerated. Hint: they don't. Mine is up to me once they are inside.

We still meet the "under 10 person rule" so the gloves are not necessary except for diaper changes, vomit and bloody boo-boo's, as usual.

The no-touch thermometers are used at drop-off for documentation and throughout the day for personal reassurance. I still have the axillary, temporal, and otic ones as well for confirmation.

Not to be offensive but NYS seems to have been pretty dramatic about every phase of this according to what media we see down here. It is a running joke around town. "It is the only state that whines incessantly about it while others work and find their own solutions." I get that it was hit that hardest due to the sheer concentration of people in a micro-space.

[284878]

My set up is in a mudroom by a side door but I could move everything to the front door.

Using the side door I can not see the play area like I could with the front, however, the front I can not see the driveway as well and there are double the amount steps.

I would love to find a way to keep the parents out but if I had too, I would be willing to do the mask exchange with the youngest (just under 1). The problem is that he arrives with an older sibling and later in the day (11 am) while I am preparing lunch. The 1.5 leaves at the end of nap time, when some may still be sleeping. (I normally wake him then, send him home, then wake the others.)



I don't want to wear a mask on the kids, it sounds like a thorn in my side that I do not want to deal with.

[AmyKidsCo]

My door opens to the playroom so the parent opens the door, gives the child a hug, and pushes him in or hands me the infant.

For pick up the parents text me 5 min out and I get the children ready, then push them out the door when parent arrives.

I don't wear a mask in my house and don't require parents/kids to either. I hold the door open and keep distance when talking to parents at drop off or pick up.

I'm still cleaning extra but I don't freak out about masks and distance. I figure if the parents get it their kids will get it too, and we'll all be exposed before anyone knows they have it.

[dolores]

Originally Posted by Cat Herder

Here, masks are for ages 3 and up, if tolerated. Hint: they don't. Mine is up to me once they are inside.

We still meet the "under 10 person rule" so the gloves are not necessary except for diaper changes, vomit and bloody boo-boo's, as usual.

The no-touch thermometers are used at drop-off for documentation and throughout the day for personal reassurance. I still have the axillary, temporal, and otic ones as well for confirmation.

Not to be offensive but NYS seems to have been pretty dramatic about every phase of this according to what media we see down here. It is a running joke around town. "It is the only state that whines incessantly about it while others work and find their own solutions." I get that it was hit that hardest due to the sheer concentration of people in a micro-space.

I understand the perception that NYS comes off dramatic, especially if that is based on media. As we know they sensationalize so as bad as it is, and it is, they make it look even worse.
My issue as it pertains to my business is the impracticality of some of the recommendations/executive orders not only NYS but CDC etc. want us to implement and trying to figure out how to comply .
Thank you and everyone for sharing what you do as it is very helpful

[Cat Herder]

Originally Posted by dolores

I understand the perception that NYS comes off dramatic, especially if that is based on media. As we know they sensationalize so as bad as it is, and it is, they make it look even worse.
My issue as it pertains to my business is the impracticality of some of the recommendations/executive orders not only NYS but CDC etc. want us to implement and trying to figure out how to comply .
Thank you and everyone for sharing what you do as it is very helpful

It is completely the media. Cuomo is literally on our local news every night. It is ridiculous how they portray him.

[littlefriends]

Originally Posted by 284878

My set up is in a mudroom by a side door but I could move everything to the front door.

Using the side door I can not see the play area like I could with the front, however, the front I can not see the driveway as well and there are double the amount steps.

I would love to find a way to keep the parents out but if I had too, I would be willing to do the mask exchange with the youngest (just under 1). The problem is that he arrives with an older sibling and later in the day (11 am) while I am preparing lunch. The 1.5 leaves at the end of nap time, when some may still be sleeping. (I normally wake him then, send him home, then wake the others.)



I don't want to wear a mask on the kids, it sounds like a thorn in my side that I do not want to deal with.

Can You ask them to drop off earlier than that? Just explain that because of all this it just won't be workable for 11 am and you need it to be 10:30 (or whatever time you need).

[Cat Herder]

Our 10 person rule just got extended to 20 persons.

[284878]

Originally Posted by littlefriends

Can You ask them to drop off earlier than that? Just explain that because of all this it just won't be workable for 11 am and you need it to be 10:30 (or whatever time you need).

I thought about it. I am not sure what the baby's schedule is but before it was his nap time and they would come after he work.

[daycarediva]

NYS provider here. Cuomo is RIDICULOUS. All upstaters hate him.

We are doing drop off and pick ups outside on the porch. Temp checks, hand washing (I am cleaning the temporal thermometer and washing hands in between each child). Having child immediately wash hands. Sanitize bathroom between uses.

Also doing weekly sanitizing DAILY.

I REFUSE to wear a mask all day. My daycare kids aren't required to as they aren't in public (but I am??)

Originally Posted by Cat Herder

Here, masks are for ages 3 and up, if tolerated. Hint: they don't. Mine is up to me once they are inside.

We still meet the "under 10 person rule" so the gloves are not necessary except for diaper changes, vomit and bloody boo-boo's, as usual.

The no-touch thermometers are used at drop-off for documentation and throughout the day for personal reassurance. I still have the axillary, temporal, and otic ones as well for confirmation.

Not to be offensive but NYS seems to have been pretty dramatic about every phase of this according to what media we see down here. It is a running joke around town. "It is the only state that whines incessantly about it while others work and find their own solutions." I get that it was hit that hardest due to the sheer concentration of people in a micro-space.

[Cat Herder]

Originally Posted by daycarediva

NYS provider here. Cuomo is RIDICULOUS. All upstaters hate him.

Interesting. That is how everyone here feels about his little brother "Fredo" (Chris).

[Snowmom]

Originally Posted by Cat Herder

Interesting. That is how everyone here feels about his little brother "Fredo" (Chris).

Yea, northern states hate him too.


Both of them actually.

[dolores]

He is easy on the eyes though, at least for me and mom

[Sunshine69]

Originally Posted by daycarediva

NYS provider here. Cuomo is RIDICULOUS. All upstaters hate him.

We are doing drop off and pick ups outside on the porch. Temp checks, hand washing (I am cleaning the temporal thermometer and washing hands in between each child). Having child immediately wash hands. Sanitize bathroom between uses.

Also doing weekly sanitizing DAILY.

I REFUSE to wear a mask all day. My daycare kids aren't required to as they aren't in public (but I am??)

Ugh! I hear you. It makes absolutely no sense at all. Childcare providers need to wear a mask all day but the kids can share their germs all over my home and family. I feel so appreciated as an “essential worker” NOT!

I don’t understand the logic behind the recommendation of changing gloves between no-touch temperature taking. These kids are touching each other all day long. Seems like a ridiculous waste of money and supplies for gloves. I already have to use two pair just to change a diaper, according to state regs.

At the market rates set by NY, paid in my county, I can’t afford the extra expenses of the gloves and masks at the current gouged prices.

It’s no wonder there’s such a “shortage” of child care providers. I’ve had six different licensors since 2016. Even they can’t stand the job while getting government benefits 😂

[CeriBear]

I work at a large center and only children and staff are allowed to enter the building. We have staff stationed at the entrance in the morning to accept drop offs. Each child has a temp check and the staff member escorts the child to his/her classroom. In the afternoon the office let’s each classroom know when a child’s parent arrives for pickup and the classroom assistant will walk the child to the lobby. This is hard because teachers can no longer communicate face to face with the parent unless the class happens to be outside on the playground.

We don’t have to wear masks but we can if we want to. I chose not to wear one but the teacher in the room next door does because her husband is considered high risk.

My hands are raw and chapped due to all the hand washing and sanitizing I must do. We have to sanitize toys at the end of the day and I can’t pass this task on to my assistant anymore because the sanitizing solution made her break out in a rash earlier in the year. We constantly sanitize things like sinks and bathroom fixtures throughout the day.

Now we have to check temps after nap as well. We use a no touch thermometer so it makes it go quicker than when we used the under arm or forehead touch one.

It’s impossible to completely social distance with 3-4 year olds. Yes, they want to sit on my lap. Yes, they want to hug me and each other. Yes, they sit close together during storytime.

Things are different in my class but overall I think the kids have coped very well.

[Snowmom]

I'm getting so burnt out on this drop off/pick up procedure.

I do wear a mask for those times, but not inside with the kids. I have two washable masks and I end up those every day (hate laundry).
The thermal temp we got a "deal" on from Target is a joke. Every temp I take with that thing is 93-95 degrees. No matter what angle or how close I take it. My tympanic one is great but the covers are EXPENSIVE for how many I would dispose in a day.

Sanitizing the playroom and outdoor space 2-3 times a day is exhausting and expensive.

95% of the families I have attending do not work the full day while their kids are here. Normally I don't care but using extra supplies, that are scarce to find now... it's ticking me off.
I told them all I am going to charge a surcharge for families using full days here. I'm thinking $20/week to cover the extra soap, towels, Tide, Clorox, Lysol... ahhhhh so much disinfectant.

[dolores]

Originally Posted by Sunshine69

Ugh! I hear you. It makes absolutely no sense at all. Childcare providers need to wear a mask all day but the kids can share their germs all over my home and family. I feel so appreciated as an “essential worker” NOT!

I don’t understand the logic behind the recommendation of changing gloves between no-touch temperature taking. These kids are touching each other all day long. Seems like a ridiculous waste of money and supplies for gloves. I already have to use two pair just to change a diaper, according to state regs.

At the market rates set by NY, paid in my county, I can’t afford the extra expenses of the gloves and masks at the current gouged prices.

It’s no wonder there’s such a “shortage” of child care providers. I’ve had six different licensors since 2016. Even they can’t stand the job while getting government benefits 😂

You're right. A lot of it makes no sense. If only the people who are making these rules can spend a day in the life of a provider they'll see the rules aren't helpful at all.
Did you apply for the CARES Materials Grant Application for Licensed Child Care Providers?

[dolores]

Originally Posted by Snowmom

I'm getting so burnt out on this drop off/pick up procedure.

I do wear a mask for those times, but not inside with the kids. I have two washable masks and I end up those every day (hate laundry).
The thermal temp we got a "deal" on from Target is a joke. Every temp I take with that thing is 93-95 degrees. No matter what angle or how close I take it. My tympanic one is great but the covers are EXPENSIVE for how many I would dispose in a day.

Sanitizing the playroom and outdoor space 2-3 times a day is exhausting and expensive.

95% of the families I have attending do not work the full day while their kids are here. Normally I don't care but using extra supplies, that are scarce to find now... it's ticking me off.
I told them all I am going to charge a surcharge for families using full days here. I'm thinking $20/week to cover the extra soap, towels, Tide, Clorox, Lysol... ahhhhh so much disinfectant.

Cleaning expenses have definitely gone up ! Passing the cost on makes sense . We ask parents to donate papertowels (never have enough) every month and a bottle of handwashing soap every 3 months and they are usually happy to help, espescially those who go on costco runs. I know of some providers who include it in their contract/parent handbook. We plan to ask for cleaning supplies donations when we reopen.

[LK5kids]

I’ll be doing drop off on my porch, temp, wash hands and it’s a no way in regard to masks for me and the kids when I open.

Iowa is requiring I wash blankets every night. Nothing allowed back and forth from home.

[Cat Herder]

Originally Posted by LK5kids

I’ll be doing drop off on my porch, temp, wash hands and it’s a no way in regard to masks for me and the kids when I open.

Iowa is requiring I wash blankets every night. Nothing allowed back and forth from home.

This is how I have always run. I started with medically fragile so it was how I minimized the risk of kids getting sick. It is so much easier to manage if you supply everything yourself, one load of laundry after nap for a fresh start the next day. Once you get used to it you may find you prefer it.

[Sunshine69]

Originally Posted by dolores

You're right. A lot of it makes no sense. If only the people who are making these rules can spend a day in the life of a provider they'll see the rules aren't helpful at all.
Did you apply for the CARES Materials Grant Application for Licensed Child Care Providers?

Yes I did. My local child care referral agency is in charge of administering the grant for the daycares in my area. They went over the list of supplies that are available with the grant with me a couple of weeks ago. I wonder where they are getting some of the supplies on that list. I haven’t been contacted to arrange receipt of those supplies yet though.