Health and Safety (COVID-19 Resources)

Recently Released Safe Sleep Regulations

The State Community Care Licensing Division has released a new Provider Information Notice (PIN): PIN 20-24-CCP: Recently Approved Safe Sleep Regulations In Effect. Primary Audience: ALL CHILD CARE FACILITY LICENSEES Summary:

PIN 20-24-CCP provides information on the recently adopted Safe Sleep regulations to be implemented in all licensed Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes.

An electronic copy of PIN 20-24-CCP: Recently Approved Safe Sleep Regulations In Effect is available for viewing/downloading by clicking on the following here.

All Provider Information Notices can be found on the CCLD website.

Please visit the Child Care Licensing Program Safe Sleep Website to read the regulations applicable to safe sleep now in effect.

If you have any questions regarding this PIN, please contact the Palmdale Regional Office at (661) 202-3318 or Child Care Connection at (760) 873-5123 ext. 0 or email childcareconnect@inyocoe.org.

Updated Guidance for Child Care Programs and Providers

On June 5, 2020, the California Department of Public Health issued Updated Guidance for Child Care Programs and Providers at https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-childcare.pdf that aims to support child care providers and programs as they begin to reopen and other programs transition from emergency childcare for essential workers to enhanced regular operations. To help all providers apply the new and updated policies and requirements and make updates to their emergency preparedness plan, there are also resources and tools available at the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) Early Learning and Care Playbook website at https://www.chhs.ca.gov/home/master-plan-for-early-learning-and-care/ which provides information and links to tips, training, and other resources that will help providers and parents as they navigate the new guidance and requirements.

On June 8, 2020, the CDE released a guidance document that includes a section on school-based early learning and care programs, “Stronger Together: A Guidebook for the Safe Reopening of California’s Public Schools.” The guidance document can now be found on the CDE Stronger Together website at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/strongertogether.asp.

Please check out the new Guidance, Early Learning and Care Playbook, and CDE public school reopening guidance to support the wellness and safety of children, teachers, providers, staff, and families.

Masks and Social Distancing for Children During COVID-19

The CDC now recommends people over age 2 wear cloth face masks when outside their homes. Below are some frequently asked questions about the use of face masks for children during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a list of resources.

Frequently Asked Questions and Responses from Inyo County Public Health

• Is it safe for a 2+ year old child to wear masks/face coverings?

CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that people wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth in the community setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Should children in a child care facility be wearing masks while in care? Does this apply to children as young as 3 years old?

• Yes, per CDC masking recommendations, children over the age of 2 should wear a mask. If children can be kept at least 6 feet away from others, and not be in contact with surfaces that could harbor the virus, then they do not need a mask for the protection of themselves or others. Places where a child would benefit from wearing a mask are places where they are likely to encounter other people at a closer than 6 foot range.

• Is a mask going to be effective if worn by a very young child who may touch their face more because they’re not used to the mask or it bothers them? Providers are concerned because it’s incredibly difficult to keep a mask on a 3-4 year old?

An important way to reassure children is to emphasize how you are taking steps to stay safe. Children feel empowered and less afraid when they know what to do to keep themselves safe. Practice frequent handwashing by teaching a popular child-friendly song or counting to 20 (handwashing should last 20 seconds).

• Should child care providers, as well as any adult in the home, be wearing masks while caring for children in their home?

Staff members and children over 2 years old should wear face coverings within the facility.

Masking and Social Distancing Resources

• SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING GUIDANCE AND HEALTHY PRACTICES FOR CHILD CARE FACILITIES IN RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

• CHILD CARE PROGRAM DECISION TREE

• American Academy of Pediatrics Masks and Children During COVID-19

CDC Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open During COVID-19

For information and resources on: cleaning and disinfecting, hand-washing, parent drop-off and pick-up, caring for infants and toddlers, social distancing and other topics, click here.

COVID-19: Infants & Toddlers in Child Care

In Considerations for Infants and Toddlers in Emergency Child Care for Essential Workers, ZERO TO THREE provides specific recommendations to help us develop responsible systems of care while responding appropriately to the needs of infants and toddlers.

Inyo County Public Health

For response and update information about COVID-19 in Inyo County, please visit the Inyo County Public Health page.

California Child Care Health Program

Guidance for California child care providers caring for children of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and other COVID-19 prevention materials are available here.

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

To receive the latest updates on this developing situation, please visit the California Department of Health’s COVID-19 webpage.

Community Care Licensing Child Care Licensing

Stay informed on COVID-19 and find the most recent Provider Information Notices (PINS) as well as additional resources by clicking here.

California Preventative Health and Safety Training Hub

CCC is the local connection to the California Preventive Health and Safety Practices training hubs. CCC is an authorized training source for the California Preventative Health, Safety and Nutrition course and we are prioritizing providing health and safety training services, technical assistance and resource materials for providers, and support for local programs and providers caring for children of essential workers. Statewide COVID-19 resources and training will be posted to this website as they become available. Please contact CCC at 760-873-5123 x. 0 or childcareconnect@inyocoe.org for more information.

Health and Safety Training

The Health and Safety module "Health and Safety: Resources and Guidance for Caring for Children" is now available on the California Early Childhood Online (CECO) website.

This module is intended to provide an overview of basic health and safety considerations and standards for providing emergency care for children of essential workers. It includes guidance on how to stop the spread of germs in a group setting during COVID-19. This module can be accessed at https://caearlychildhoodonline.org/.

Eight comprehensive Health and Safety modules are also available. Each module is 60-80 minutes in duration. Modules include the following topics:

Safe Spaces in Child Care

Transporting Children in Child Care

Handling Hazardous Material in Child Care

Infectious Diseases in Child Care

Safe Sleep Practices and Sleep Related Infant Deaths

Managing and Responding to Food Allergies

Shaken Baby/Abusive Head Trauma

Emergency Preparedness in Child Care