The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released its guidance for child care programs to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Below are the 15 guidelines you can expect child care programs to follow when caring for your little one:

1. Child care centers need to encourage staff to wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

2. Young children will be supervised when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol.

3. Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected.

4. Staff will be encouraged to cover cough and sneezes.

5. Cloth face coverings will need to be used to cover mouth and nose when in public. Cloth face coverings should NOT be put on babies and children under age two because of the danger of suffocation.

The CDC released a list of what parents should consider if their children’s schools are requiring or encouraging the use of cloth face coverings. See more information here.

6. Centers will require sick children and staff to stay home.

7. They will need to develop a plan if someone is, or becomes sick.

8. Centers should also develop plans to cover classes in the event of increased staff absences.

9. People at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should consult with their medical provider to assess their risk and to determine if they should stay home if there is an outbreak in their community.

10. Social distancing strategies will be implemented.

11. They will access group gatherings and events.

12. Plan to limit nonessential visitors and postpone or cancel use of classroom volunteers.

13. Drop off and pick up procedures may be modified.

14. There may be screening procedures implemented.

15. When feasible, staff members and older children will need to wear face coverings within the facility.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention