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.