Child Care and COVID-19

Child care is a critical service to Delawareans across our state.

We thank our child care providers for their dedication to Delaware’s children, and their efforts to keep children and staff safe during this time.

According to Governor John Carney’s recent order on March 22, 2020, child care providers are considered essential businesses and are allowed to remain open. Governor Carney has made several recommendations for child care providers based on the Delaware Division of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

Information on Child Care Guidance in Delaware

• Governor Carney Signs Executive Order on Child Care
• Delaware Issues Guidance for Child Care Providers on Coronavirus
• Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs
• How to Prepare and Protect Yourself

Child Care Options During Delaware’s State of Emergency

Are you a provider in good standing with openings for child care? Please fill out this form and we will add your information to this list.

Child care provider list coming soon.

Steps Providers Can Take to Prepare for COVID-19

These are recommendations from Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families with guidance from Delaware Division of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• • Share information with parents and staff about steps to protect themselves and keep others safe. Communicate regularly.
  • Know the symptoms of coronavirus. Symptoms include: fever (over 100 degrees) AND cough or difficulty breathing.
  • Monitor for illness and temperatures. Ask parents to check their child’s temperature before coming to child care. Have staff monitor their temperature before coming to work. If the temperature is more than 100, the child or staff member should stay home.
  • Strictly enforce the provider’s illness policy for both children and staff.
    • Encourage staff and children to stay home when sick.
    • Develop a process to identify and act on sending children and staff home if sick.
    • Separate sick students and adults from others until they can go home.
    • Keep a log of children and adults who are absent.
    • Collect contact information, including phone numbers, to coordinate pick up for children if they are sick.
  • Increase handwashing procedures throughout the day for staff and children. Use soap and water and scrub vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
  • Rigorously implement cleaning for toys and surfaces, including tables, shelves, trash cans, sinks, door knobs and other materials available to staff and children. Regularly launder soft items such as bedding and clothing.
  • Remind staff and children to avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Encourage social distancing in all aspects of child care. For example:
    • Curbside drop off and pick up
    • Ask caregivers to not bring in toys and other items from home, unless necessary
    • When planning activities practice social distancing, such as space between children during activities, if possible.
  • Increase the frequency of cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting child care spaces.
  • Continually review and update plans.
  • If you have questions about how to prevent and address illness in the facility, please contact the Division of Public Health Coronavirus Call Center (number below).

Delawareans with questions about COVID-19 can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or 711 for individuals who are hearing impaired. Email DPHCall@delaware.gov.

Additional information for Child Care Providers

Please go to the Office of Child Care Licensing website for additional information on licensing and requirements for providers. Reach out to your licensing specialist for more information.