The COVID-19 Pandemic is an ongoing situation. Care Courses is providing the following resources to help you adapt your child care program to be as safe as possible for you and the children in your care. Check with your local licensing representative to ensure that you comply with all state regulations. Share this list of child care COVID-19 resources for with your staff and the families of the children in your care.
Guidelines and Regulations
US State and Federal Child Care COVID-19 Resources
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and Office of Child Care (OCC)’s website provides links to federal and state-level COVID-19 resources and regulations for caregivers and families. https://childcare.gov/covid-19
Canadian Child Care COVID-19 Resources
The Canadian Childcare Resource and Research Unit (CRRU) has developed a COVID-19 information and resources webpage with several links to the status of childcare by province and the regulations you must follow.
Posters and Notifications
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- A Student is Showing Signs of COVID-19 in My Classroom: What Do I Do? – Quick Guide for Teachers
- A Student is Showing Signs of COVID-19 and Needs to be Isolated: What Do I Do? – Quick Guide for School Nurses or School COVID-19 POC(s)
- My Child is Showing Signs of COVID-19 at School: What Do I Do? – Quick Guide for Parents and Guardians
- Handwashing Posters
- Prevention Warning Posters
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Symptoms Checklist
Hand-Sanitizer Warnings
- FDA warning about hand sanitizer packaged as food and drink containers
- Hand Sanitizers: Keep Children Safe from Poisoning Risk
- FDA updates on hand sanitizers consumers should not use
Support for Families
The American Academy for Pediatrics (AAP)
- Working and Learning from Home During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Age-Based Tips to Help Juggle Parenting & Working at Home During COVID-19
- Tips for Coping with a New Baby During COVID-19
- How to Take Your Child’s Temperature
- Is it OK to call my pediatrician during COVID-19?
- Mask Mythbusters: 5 Common Misconceptions about Kids & Cloth Face Coverings
National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness
- Fever and Your Child (handout)
- In Spanish – La fiebre y su hijo
Northwell Health – COVID-19 Special Needs Resources
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Generations United
- COVID-19 Fact Sheet for Grandfamilies and Multigenerational Families (Resources and Suggestions for Keeping All Family Members Safe)
CATCH – Health at Home (encouraging physical activity)
Feeding America
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Food and Nutrition Services
Preparing for and Coping with Emergencies
Although the COVID-19 Pandemic is not considered a disaster or emergency, many of the same techniques used to prepare for and cope with emergencies or disasters can be used during an outbreak like this Pandemic. The following resources provide information and techniques for preparing and/or responding to all of these situations.
- Preparing for Emergencies with Brain Building Tips for Families with Young Children
- Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
- Coping After a Disaster (coloring activity discussion book)
Support for Children
There is no one way to address and support children during this pandemic. However, multiple organizations have created a variety of helpful suggestions and tools to assist in answering children’s questions about COVID-19 and general health safety.
Articles
- The Child Mind Institute – Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Crisis
- PBS –
- CDA Council – Understanding and Supporting the Emotional Needs of Young Children During the Pandemic
- The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) – Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19
- ZERO TO THREE –
Videos and Interactive Activities
- Child Trends – 10 Ways to Support Children’s Emotional Well-Being During COVID-19 (Video)
- Sesame Street –
- Sneeze and Cough Safely With Grover (Coloring Handout)
- How to Wash Your Hands (Video)
- H is for Handwashing (Interactive Story)
- My Healthy Week Tracker for Kids (Interactive Handout)
- PBS Kids –
- Esme and Roy: Belly Breathing (Video Song)
- Daniel Tiger: Rest is Best (Video Song)
- Daniel Tiger: Calming Down (Video Song)
- NPR – Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus (Comic for older early childhood or after school age children)
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
- Trauma-Informed School Strategies during COVID-19
- Supporting Children and Teens in Dealing with Traumatic Stress (Various Resources)
Support for Caregivers
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Coping with COVID-19
- The Power of Storytelling in Early Childhood: Helping Children Process the Coronavirus Crisis
The National Alliance to End Homelessness
Department of Education
- Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak
- Supplemental Fact Sheet – Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities
Committee for Economic Development (CED)
- How Child Care Businesses Can Survive COVID-19—Considerations for Child Care Centers (Podcast)
- How Child Care Businesses Can Survive COVID-19—Considerations for Family Child Care Homes (Podcast)
- Family Child Care Home Provider Free Resources for Marketing
Department of Health and Human Services
Emergency Child Care and Technical Assistance Center
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Preparing Child Care Programs for Pandemic Influenza
- Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools, 5th Ed. (E-book)
Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards
- Enrollment/Attendance/Symptom Record Printable
- Routine Schedule for Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting
- Alternate Sample Cleaning Schedules
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Considerations for Wearing Masks
- People with Moderate to Severe Asthma – Risk of Severe Illness from COVID-19
- Asthma Action Plans
- Coping with Stress – Pandemics Can Be Stressful
- Tools to Evolve Your COVID-19 Childcare Strategy (webinar)
Head Start Early Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
- Nature-based Learning and Outdoor Play Resources
- Making It on Our Own: Customizing an Individualized Health Plan [A Learning Activity]
Cleaning and Disinfecting Support
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Guidance for Cleaning & Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Decision Tool
- 6 Steps for Safe & Effective Disinfectant Use
- List N Advanced Search Page: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Addressing Disease Mitigation in Schools, Day Cares & Universities with Sanitizers and Disinfectants (Webinar)
- Where can professionals who manage school, office, and commercial buildings get information on ventilation and filtration to respond to COVID-19?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Financial Support
Committee for Economic Development (CED)
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development
U.S. Small Business Administration
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan
No Kid Hungry
And, read our blog on Child Care COVID-19 Safety: Keeping Centers and Homes Open.
Looking for your state licensor’s contact information? You can find your state licensing contact information and website on our state child care training information pages. Canadian residents can find their licensing contact information on our Canadian province child care training pages.
Please let us know how we can be of additional assistance. Call us: 1-800-685-7610, Monday through Friday, 9-5 ET, or email us days, evenings and weekends: info@CareCourses.com. We’re here to help.