A recent survey by Care.com revealed that only 7% of parents feel it’s safe to return to pre-pandemic routines that include sending their children to day care centers, pre-schools, other child care facilities. Almost two-thirds — 63%— of the 2,000 parents surveyed say they are hesitant to go back the daily child care routine they followed before the coronavirus crisis.
According to CNBC, it’s a tough call for many parents who rely on child care in order to return to work, but do not want to risk their children’s health. Sally Goza, a pediatrician based in Georgia, said one factor is to determine how many outbreaks of COVID-19 are in your area. Goza, the current president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said that if there is a low rate of coronavirus cases, it is “probably much safer.”
Experts said that parents should be vigilant and ask child care centers for specific information on what they are doing to safeguard against spreading the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a list of guidelines parents can reference to check if the facility is adhering to recommendations. They include:
- Promoting health hygiene practices, including regular hand washing for children and staff
- Superior cleaning and disinfecting procedures
- Implementing social distancing
- Conducting temperate checks and other health screenings
While the CDC has these guidelines in place, experts told CNBC that each state makes its own mandates for child care providers so precautions will vary from state to state. In Massachusetts, for example, the Department of Education and Care issued a 32-page guidance that limited class size and set up specific teacher-to-child ratios.
Goza said that it is especially important for children to spend time outdoors, where the risk of infection is lower.
“It’s easier to physically distance when you are outdoors than in a small room,” she said, adding that if the weather is hot and muggy, that’s not healthy for children, either. She said that parents need to ask questions, and if they are comfortable that the facility and staff are doing everything in their power to stop the spread of the virus, then they can make an educated decision on whether of not to send their children back to child care.
Some steps parents can take on their end is to make sure their children’s immunization schedule is up to date and that they are well versed on how to wear a mask and properly wash their hands.
According to Parents, other factors such as ensuring your children get a good night’s sleep and are properly nourished, also can help them stay healthy when they return to daycare. Every child also should bring their own supplies such as crayons and scissors to prevent sharing.
“Parents should especially consider holding off on sending their kids back to day care if logistically possible if the child has an underlying medical condition or a previously diagnosed underlying weekend immune system,” Dr. Jill Garripoli Pedalino, a New Jersey-based pediatrician told Parents.