Today, Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D., Executive Director of Child Care Aware of America, released the following statement in response to the draft Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on reopening child care:

We are pleased that the draft CDC guidelines acknowledge that reopening child care is critical to the American recovery from the pandemic. However, the CDC guidelines raise many questions and require more clarity if we are to reopen child care programs in a safe and timely manner. 

The Top 5 Things the CDC Must Address in Its Final Child Care Plan:

1. Phased Approach: There must be clear communication on how the three phases of the plan are carried through, including the factors impacting moving to the next phase, and if  there are contingencies for moving “back” if an outbreak were to occur or a predetermined event/issue happens.
2. Government Coordination: The CDC must work closely with state and local officials to ensure its guidelines align with relevant regulations at all levels of government. 
3. Young Children Don’t Social Distance: Guidelines must acknowledge critical child development practices and group caregiving realities, including in home-based settings. Young children need physical and emotional supports to provide safe and secure environments.
4. Masks: If masks are required, the CDC guidelines need to account for the fact that children may end up removing them throughout the day, and the impact that could have on the spread of the virus.
5. Vital supplies: Paper products, cleaning supplies, and PPE (if recommended) need to be readily available. Providers are already struggling to find these items, so support needs to be in place to address these shortages before reopening.