The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs. It emphasizes the importance of universal masking for everyone ages 2 and older, regardless of vaccination status. The updates also provide more information on screening testing and guidance for fully vaccinated staff. Review strategies for early care and education (ECE) programs to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and maintain safer operations. This guidance will be helpful for all ECE settings, including child care, home-based, family child care, Head Start, and other pre-kindergarten programs.
While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared with adults during the pandemic, children can be infected with the virus, get sick, and spread the virus to others. CDC’s science brief on transmission in schools includes scientific evidence about the spread of the virus among children and in school and ECE settings.
Head Start and other ECE programs can promote vaccinations among staff and families, including pregnant people, by providing information about COVID-19 vaccination, encouraging vaccine trust and confidence, and establishing supportive policies and practices. We encourage you to widely share the updated guidance with your partners and networks and on your organization’s social media pages.
Access the Resource
Select the link to view the updated guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/child-care-guidance.html
Related Resources
Explore related resources on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) to learn more.