CDC’s Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs. It emphasizes the importance of universal masking for everyone ages 2 and older, regardless of vaccination status. The updates also provide more information on screening testing and guidance for fully vaccinated staff. Review strategies for early care and education (ECE) programs to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and maintain safer operations. This guidance will be helpful for all ECE settings, including child care, home-based, family child care, Head Start, and other pre-kindergarten programs.
While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared with adults during the pandemic, children can be infected with the virus, get sick, and spread the virus to others. CDC’s science brief on transmission in schools includes scientific evidence about the spread of the virus among children and in school and ECE settings.
Related Resources
Explore related resources on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) to learn more.