Updated Guidance about COVID-19 for 
Child Care and Early Learning, School-age and Youth Development Programs, and Summer Day Camps

The Snohomish Health District has just released a new set of guidance for child and youth programs. This guidance document aligns with recently updated recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Both sets of guidance will be in place through Phase 2 or until guidance from DOH changes. The guidance documents are directed toward the following programs:

• Child Care and Early Learning Programs
• Head Start/ECEAP
• Youth Development Programming 
• Summer Day Camps

Some of the updates include:

• Removed statement that child care is for essential workers only
• Clarified that children should only attend programs locally
• Explained for whom this guidance is intended
• Added information about the need for staff training to ensure protocols are followed and emphasis on the importance of attendance tracking
• Added clarity for drop off and pick up times
• Added link to CDC website for COVID-19 symptoms – the list of symptoms from CDC changes periodically. Checking the direct link is the best way to stay informed.
• Updated isolation period for symptomatic individuals from 7 to 10 days.
• Changed “social distancing” to “physical distancing” – emphasis needs to be on maintaining physical distance between people but staying connected to each other socially.
• Added information about providing staff breaks, sunscreen application, transportation, and special care for infants and toddlers.

Visit our website link SHD COVID 19 Schools and Child Care for the most comprehensive and current guidance from Snohomish Health District. An FAQ document has also been posted with answers to some of the most common questions being asked of the Child Care Health Outreach Program staff.

The Keep Sick Children Home poster has been updated to be in line with the CDC's most current COVID-19 symptom list.

FREE 1 hour In-service Training (formerly called STARS Credit)
COVID-19 Class for Child Care Providers in WA State

This new in-service training (STARs training) is intended to be a one-stop-shop for COVID-19 including background information, what the science tells us about its spread and how to control it, and specific guidelines for limiting exposure in out-of-home settings including child care and preschool centers, family home child care and school age care programs. It will also provide the most updated guidance for engaging in all the regular daily activities children do in child care while practicing physical distancing and sanitation including physical activities, games and play, and gardening activities. More than ever, it is important for children's mental and emotional health to have a stable, familiar and safe place to be while parents and caregivers are at work. Child care remains a critical place for children to thrive, grow, and develop.

How to sign up for the FREE COVID 19 Training:
Along with all of our trainings, this class is now available on our website: SHD Child Care Learning Portal. This course is being offered for a limited time at no cost as a public health service to the child care community of Washington State and offers 1 In-Service hour (1.0 STARS credit) to everyone. Log in and select Course Catalog. Scroll down until you see the familiar COVID-19 image.

Please contact the Child Care Health Outreach Program 
if you have any questions:

childcarehealth@snohd.org
425-252-5415