Dear YMCA Child Care Families,

I am writing today to let you know we have received updated guidance from both the Department of Children & Families, Office of Licensing, and the Department of Health. This new guidance will mean some visible changes at our Centers, and I have summarized them below so you understand the changes when you see them.

To summarize some changes you will see in the near future:

-Group sizes have been increased to their pre-pandemic licensed numbers of students, or a maximum of 30 per group;

-Although Governor Murphy lifted the mask mandate for the State, this does not apply to Child Care Centers. Masking is still required in our Centers for all adults, and children two years of age and older are strongly encouraged to wear one. Exceptions include snacks, meals, naptime and outdoor play when it is over 80°F;

-Daily screening for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to admission into the Center will remain in place for all adults and children. Our current screening policy is attached;

-Bedding will be sent home weekly for laundering, daily in some cases.

Guidance that will remain in effect for the foreseeable future:

Because children under the age of 12 do not yet have the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19, travel recommendations for unvaccinated travelers will still be followed. Please find details here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html;

Center staff will continue to clean and disinfect all equipment and materials daily with an EPA-approved disinfectant;

Children and Center staff will practice frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water upon arriving at the Center, when entering the classroom, before meals and snacks, after coming in from outdoor play, after using the bathroom or having their diaper changed, and prior to leaving for home.

I would like everyone to know that while we are all excited to get back to the way things were prior to the pandemic, we will be making these changes slowly to ensure the health and safety of your children and our staff.

Sincerely,
Cindy Shields
Senior Child Care Director

SCREENING POLICY POLICY:

All persons entering a child Care Center will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 by Center Staff or will be asked to self-report symptoms of COVID-19 at or prior to arrival.

PURPOSE:

To ensure a safe & healthy environment for all program participants.

PROCEDURE:

1. Anyone presenting with a fever of 100.4° or higher, or other signs of COVID-19 as outlined in the Department of Health COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Operating Child Care Facilities, will be excluded from the program.
2. Hand hygiene stations will still be available at drop off/pick-up locations.
3. Anyone excluded from the program for symptoms of COVID-19 must be recorded on the illness log as required under NJAC 3A:52-7.9. This log is not for public information, but for Center use only. It will be made available to regulatory officials upon their request (for example, DOH or OOL inspectors).
4. Staff who have been fully vaccinated, as defined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, are not required to quarantine for exposure, as long as they are asymptomatic.