OCDEL Releases Announcement C-21-04: Best Practices for Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau of Certification, has released the Announcement C-21-04, Best Practices for Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus. The purpose of this Announcement is to provide certified child care facilities with the best practices for operating a facility during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It also provides certified child care facilities with guidance on how to handle a positive COVID-19 case or exposure to a positive COVID-19 case in child care facilities.

This announcement replaces announcement C-20-12 Revised: Interim Guidance for Certified Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic in its entirety. This announcement will obsolete C-20-08: COVID-19 Operations for Licensed Child Care.

As recommendations continue to evolve, child care providers are urged to stay up to date on the most recent CDC Guidance for Operating Child Care. As of June 28, 2021, the Universal Face Covering Order has expired. This includes unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals. Individual families or employers may want to continue to use face coverings, but it will no longer be a mandate.

The Announcement clarifies ongoing requirements and recommendations. Providers are strongly encouraged to adhere to CDC guidance in order to continue to protect the health and safety of children in care because they are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. It also contains information about:

• Dealing with confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases and exposure to COVID-10
• Return to care
• Reporting
• Health and Safety Plan
• Technical Assistance availability
• Additional resources
• Next steps

For complete information, please see the Announcement C-21-04, Best Practices for Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus.