Background:
Effective May 31, 2020 child care programs were allowed to
reopen, but with lower ratio requirements.
New Policy:
The lower ratio requirements are being removed and the following
rules will be effective August 9, 2020.
Rule 5101:2-12-02.2 "Transitional
Pandemic Requirements for a Licensed Child Care Center" is being emergency
filed to further define transitional pandemic requirements for a licensed child
care center. Licensed child care centers
shall follow all of the licensing requirements of the chapter in addition to
the following exceptions and additions detailed in the new rule. The child care center shall:
- Return to no more than the maximum statutory ratios
and group sizes as set forth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ensure that all administrators, employees, child
care staff members and children are assessed for the symptoms listed in
appendix A to this rule prior to or as soon as they arrive each day.
- Ensure that all administrators, child care
center staff members and employees wear a face covering while indoors, unless
not medically appropriate. Face
coverings, including cloth masks or plastic face shields, shall cover the individual’s
nose and mouth.
- Ensure that all school-age children wear a face
covering while indoors, unless not medically or developmentally
appropriate. Face coverings, including
cloth masks or plastic face shields, shall cover the child’s nose and mouth.
Ensure that no child two years old and under wear a face covering.
- Disposable face shields shall only be worn for a
single use. Reusable face shields shall
be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
Rule 5101:2-13-02.2 "Transitional
Pandemic Requirements for a Licensed Family Child Care Provider" is being
emergency filed to further define transitional pandemic requirements for a licensed
family child care provider. Licensed
family child care providers shall follow all of the licensing requirements of
the chapter in addition to the following exceptions and additions detailed in
the new rule which include:
- Removal of the requirement that Type A groups have
to be kept separated.
- Ensure that all employees, child care staff
members and children are assessed for the symptoms listed in appendix A to this
rule prior to or as soon as they arrive each day.
- Ensure that the provider, all child care staff
members, employees, and residents wear a face covering while indoors, unless
not medically appropriate. Face coverings, including cloth masks or plastic
face shields, shall cover the individual's nose and mouth.
- Ensure that all school-age children wear a face
covering while indoors, unless not medically or developmentally appropriate.
Face coverings, including cloth masks or plastic face shields, shall cover the
child's nose and mouth. No child two years old and under shall wear a face
covering.
- Disposable face shields shall only be worn for a
single use. Reusable face shields shall be cleaned and disinfected after each
use.
Rule 5101:2-14-02.2 "Transitional
Pandemic Requirements for In-Home Aide Certification" is being emergency
filed to further define transitional pandemic requirements for a certified
in-home aide. Certified in-home aides
(IHA) shall follow all of the certification requirements of the chapter in
addition to the following exceptions and additions detailed in the new rule. The IHA shall:
- Ensure that the children in care and all
residents of the home are assessed for the symptoms listed in appendix A to
this rule prior to or as soon as the in-home aide arrives each day. The in-home
aide shall wear a face covering while indoors, unless not medically
appropriate. Face coverings, including cloth masks or plastic face shields,
shall cover the individual's nose and mouth.
- Disposable face shields shall only be worn for a
single use. Reusable face shields shall be cleaned and disinfected after each
use.
Rule 5101:2-18-03.1 "Transitional
Pandemic Requirements for Approved Child Day Camps" is being emergency filed
to further define transitional pandemic requirements for an approved child day
camp. Approved day camps shall follow
all of the approval requirements of the chapter in addition to the following
exceptions and additions detailed in the new rule. The day camp shall:
- Return to no more than the maximum ratios and
group sizes as set forth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ensure that all administrators, employees, child
day camp staff members and children are assessed for COVID-19 related symptoms
listed in appendix A to this rule prior to or as soon as they arrive each
day.
- Ensure that all administrators, child day camp
staff members and employees wear a mask while indoors, unless not medically
appropriate. Face coverings, including
cloth masks or plastic face shields, shall cover the individual’s nose and
mouth.
- Ensure that all school-age children wear a face
covering while indoors, unless not medically or developmentally
appropriate. Face coverings, including
cloth masks or plastic face shields, shall cover the child’s nose and mouth.
Ensure that no child two years old and under wear a face covering.
- Disposable face shields shall only be worn for a
single use. Reusable face shields shall
be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
Guidance and
Recommendations
ODJFS recommends that
child care providers implement the following suggestions from the Center for
Disease Control. Additional guidance can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html.
- Increase sanitization, including communal spaces
after each use.
- Wear gloves during feedings (including bottles).
- Limit parent access inside the building.
- Limit mixing of classes and keep children of the
same employer together.
A best practice training is available for providers at https://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/index.stm.
Questions:
Please contact the Child Care Policy Helpdesk at 1-877-302-2347,
option 4, if you have any questions about the new policy.