Governor Inslee has issued the expectation that public schools will provide childcare for school-age children of healthcare workers and first responders. This is to prevent a shortage of healthcare workers during this public health crisis.

The number of children in each site will be far lower than in school, allowing greater opportunity for social distancing. School districts are required to provide childcare for healthcare workers and first responders because public health officials have determined this is a reasonable and necessary measure to ensure adequate numbers of professionals to care for people who become sick with COVID-19.

Paraeducators, Nutrition Services, Facilities and Safety & Security staff have been asked to volunteer to staff childcare sites. To date, nearly 100 staff members have volunteered. We have sufficient volunteers to staff the two sites that will open Wednesday, March 25. If we should need more volunteers at some point, we will ask for volunteers from a broader pool of employees.

Employees who are identified members of the “at higher risk” group will not be expected to staff any childcare site in any role. This was communicated in a memo to all staff on March 18.

During this unprecedented situation when staff are working while schools are closed, all employees are being asked to take on duties they would not typically do. We are doing our best to align work expectations as closely as possible with employees’ regular job duties. 

Childcare aligns most closely with the responsibilities of a classroom paraeducator. We value our paraeducators and appreciate all who have volunteered to serve in this capacity. We are taking all recommended steps to protect their health and safety.

• Student registration includes general screening and information for parents about coronavirus symptoms.
• Students and staff will be screened daily by a Health Services staff member before admission to the childcare site (details below.)

• We will follow the Washington State Department of Health guidance for childcare at a minimum or more stringent measures in some areas.
• A Health Services staff member will screen all staff and children before admission to the childcare site. This will include:
  • Taking each person’s temperature
  • Checking for symptoms 
  • Asking if medications were used to lower the child’s temperature
  • Asking if there are any household members with COVID-19. 
• Each site will serve no more than 40 children.
• Group size will be limited to no more than nine students and one adult.
• Frequent handwashing will be practiced and integrated into activities.
• Programming is designed to minimize student group mingling, and social distancing will be promoted.
• When necessary for groups to share large spaces (i.e., cafeteria or playground) groups will be kept separate. 
• Meals and snacks will be provided in the classroom whenever possible.

We will follow the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) guidance for childcare regarding PPE. Childcare will not be continued if we cannot obtain the PPE deemed necessary by our director of health.

Nurses will have masks, gloves, and gowns while screening students before entering the childcare site. Staff will have a mask, gloves, eyewear and gown to use if any student presents symptoms and needs to be isolated while waiting to be picked up. DOH is not recommending PPE for staff supervising children.

We will follow sanitation procedures outlined in the Washington State Department of Health guidance for childcare. Custodians will circulate through childcare sites sanitizing high touch surfaces multiple times a day and will follow sanitizing and disinfecting procedures nightly.