Looking for preschool that allows mask choice outdoors (and follows latest CDC advice) in MOCO

[Anonymous]

It looks like our preschool will never stop masking. We are so frustrated as it seems like a belligerent/ political thing now based on the feedback we got when we asked them if they would follow the updated CDC advice. Our school requires masks even outside- it’s an outdoor nature program.

So upsetting as many preschools have passed their enrollment period for next year.

Does anyone have recommendations for good preschools that will be following CDC advice and allow mask choice.

We are looking in the Chevy Chase/ Silver Spring area.

Any leads appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for asking, OP. I have the same question. Ours definitely is not working for us. They refuse to follow federal, state, and local guidance.

[Anonymous]

I wonder what will happen in a week when the Board of Education formally votes to remove the mask mandate in public schools. How much longer will we require masks for young children? I'm so worried our daycare will just keep them. And I have sympathy for them - they've been operating in crisis mode for so long. I have so much respect for them for working so hard to care for our children knowing they are putting themselves at risk. They are not experts in public health and I don't blame them for choosing the option they feel is "safe".

I really wish the CDC would explicitly state that young children should not be wearing cloth masks in school. I don't for the life of me understand why they haven't done so, given what we know about the efficacy of cloth masks under the best conditions, and I can't vote for an administration that allows this to continue.

[Anonymous]

Individual preschool cannot make their own decisions about all aspects of COVID policies. MoCo DHHS sets the guidelines which have throughout the pandemic in some regards differed from state and CDC guidance. The county does not say require masks to be worn outside; that is an individual daycare decision. However, I do not see masks for ages 2-4 being dropped anytime soon. DHHS quarantine guidance for this age group is based on whether or not the kid is wearing a mask. No mask = 10 day quarantine; mask = 5 day quarnatine + negative test. So unless they plan to make a 5 day quarantine for everyone regardless of mask use, I do not see masks being option in daycares until child vaccines are available, regardless of how effective they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Individual preschool cannot make their own decisions about all aspects of COVID policies. MoCo DHHS sets the guidelines which have throughout the pandemic in some regards differed from state and CDC guidance. The county does not say require masks to be worn outside; that is an individual daycare decision. However, I do not see masks for ages 2-4 being dropped anytime soon. DHHS quarantine guidance for this age group is based on whether or not the kid is wearing a mask. No mask = 10 day quarantine; mask = 5 day quarnatine + negative test. So unless they plan to make a 5 day quarantine for everyone regardless of mask use, I do not see masks being option in daycares until child vaccines are available, regardless of how effective they are.

My understanding is that DHHS does not require any private schools, including preschools, to require masks for young children. Their guidance does currently recommend it. As for quarantine, they could say require masks for 5 days after a 5 day quarantine. Not all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Individual preschool cannot make their own decisions about all aspects of COVID policies. MoCo DHHS sets the guidelines which have throughout the pandemic in some regards differed from state and CDC guidance. The county does not say require masks to be worn outside; that is an individual daycare decision. However, I do not see masks for ages 2-4 being dropped anytime soon. DHHS quarantine guidance for this age group is based on whether or not the kid is wearing a mask. No mask = 10 day quarantine; mask = 5 day quarnatine + negative test. So unless they plan to make a 5 day quarantine for everyone regardless of mask use, I do not see masks being option in daycares until child vaccines are available, regardless of how effective they are.

My understanding is that DHHS does not require any private schools, including preschools, to require masks for young children. Their guidance does currently recommend it. As for quarantine, they could say require masks for 5 days after a 5 day quarantine. Not all the time.

You are correct MDSE “recommendations” outdoor masking if kids can’t distance. So this leaves schools to decide for themselves- so it’s a crap shoot for parents. Basically your preschool director decides. My kids has speech delays and outdoors masking in a wet cloth mask does not nothing but hurt him.

The schools are trying to help our kids, I get it. But this is actually hurting them and our preschool director just can’t see it. When I bring it up I think she stops seeing me- replaces me with a image of Donald trump in her head and stops listening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Individual preschool cannot make their own decisions about all aspects of COVID policies. MoCo DHHS sets the guidelines which have throughout the pandemic in some regards differed from state and CDC guidance. The county does not say require masks to be worn outside; that is an individual daycare decision. However, I do not see masks for ages 2-4 being dropped anytime soon. DHHS quarantine guidance for this age group is based on whether or not the kid is wearing a mask. No mask = 10 day quarantine; mask = 5 day quarnatine + negative test. So unless they plan to make a 5 day quarantine for everyone regardless of mask use, I do not see masks being option in daycares until child vaccines are available, regardless of how effective they are.

My understanding is that DHHS does not require any private schools, including preschools, to require masks for young children. Their guidance does currently recommend it. As for quarantine, they could say require masks for 5 days after a 5 day quarantine. Not all the time.

You are correct MDSE “recommendations” outdoor masking if kids can’t distance. So this leaves schools to decide for themselves- so it’s a crap shoot for parents. Basically your preschool director decides. My kids has speech delays and outdoors masking in a wet cloth mask does not nothing but hurt him.

The schools are trying to help our kids, I get it. But this is actually hurting them and our preschool director just can’t see it. When I bring it up I think she stops seeing me- replaces me with a image of Donald trump in her head and stops listening.

Our preschool finally dropped outdoor masks. It’s made a big difference to my son with speech issues ability to play with friends outside. Very happy. I’m waiting to see what happens with MCPS next week, our school has generally followed MCPS although they did do outdoor masks when the local schools were not which really pissed me off. If the only people left in the county mandated to wearing masks are the 3-5 year olds I will be livid. It makes no sense at all. They are so so low risk and lots of teens and older kids are not vaccinated but they will be able to choose soon. I very much feel for our preschool teachers and directors who are not experts in this and must be struggling with it without clear guidance. But I know the teachers think it’s time to be done with masks, at least my son’s teachers have said so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Individual preschool cannot make their own decisions about all aspects of COVID policies. MoCo DHHS sets the guidelines which have throughout the pandemic in some regards differed from state and CDC guidance. The county does not say require masks to be worn outside; that is an individual daycare decision. However, I do not see masks for ages 2-4 being dropped anytime soon. DHHS quarantine guidance for this age group is based on whether or not the kid is wearing a mask. No mask = 10 day quarantine; mask = 5 day quarnatine + negative test. So unless they plan to make a 5 day quarantine for everyone regardless of mask use, I do not see masks being option in daycares until child vaccines are available, regardless of how effective they are.

My understanding is that DHHS does not require any private schools, including preschools, to require masks for young children. Their guidance does currently recommend it. As for quarantine, they could say require masks for 5 days after a 5 day quarantine. Not all the time.

You are correct MDSE “recommendations” outdoor masking if kids can’t distance. So this leaves schools to decide for themselves- so it’s a crap shoot for parents. Basically your preschool director decides. My kids has speech delays and outdoors masking in a wet cloth mask does not nothing but hurt him.

The schools are trying to help our kids, I get it. But this is actually hurting them and our preschool director just can’t see it. When I bring it up I think she stops seeing me- replaces me with a image of Donald trump in her head and stops listening.

Our preschool finally dropped outdoor masks. It’s made a big difference to my son with speech issues ability to play with friends outside. Very happy. I’m waiting to see what happens with MCPS next week, our school has generally followed MCPS although they did do outdoor masks when the local schools were not which really pissed me off. If the only people left in the county mandated to wearing masks are the 3-5 year olds I will be livid. It makes no sense at all. They are so so low risk and lots of teens and older kids are not vaccinated but they will be able to choose soon. I very much feel for our preschool teachers and directors who are not experts in this and must be struggling with it without clear guidance. But I know the teachers think it’s time to be done with masks, at least my son’s teachers have said so.

Can you tell us where this is?

[Anonymous]

Fernwood Montessori is still mandating masking, but claiming they will follow whatever guidance comes out of the MCPS meeting on the 8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Individual preschool cannot make their own decisions about all aspects of COVID policies. MoCo DHHS sets the guidelines which have throughout the pandemic in some regards differed from state and CDC guidance. The county does not say require masks to be worn outside; that is an individual daycare decision. However, I do not see masks for ages 2-4 being dropped anytime soon. DHHS quarantine guidance for this age group is based on whether or not the kid is wearing a mask. No mask = 10 day quarantine; mask = 5 day quarnatine + negative test. So unless they plan to make a 5 day quarantine for everyone regardless of mask use, I do not see masks being option in daycares until child vaccines are available, regardless of how effective they are.

My understanding is that DHHS does not require any private schools, including preschools, to require masks for young children. Their guidance does currently recommend it. As for quarantine, they could say require masks for 5 days after a 5 day quarantine. Not all the time.

You are correct MDSE “recommendations” outdoor masking if kids can’t distance. So this leaves schools to decide for themselves- so it’s a crap shoot for parents. Basically your preschool director decides. My kids has speech delays and outdoors masking in a wet cloth mask does not nothing but hurt him.

The schools are trying to help our kids, I get it. But this is actually hurting them and our preschool director just can’t see it. When I bring it up I think she stops seeing me- replaces me with a image of Donald trump in her head and stops listening.

Our preschool finally dropped outdoor masks. It’s made a big difference to my son with speech issues ability to play with friends outside. Very happy. I’m waiting to see what happens with MCPS next week, our school has generally followed MCPS although they did do outdoor masks when the local schools were not which really pissed me off. If the only people left in the county mandated to wearing masks are the 3-5 year olds I will be livid. It makes no sense at all. They are so so low risk and lots of teens and older kids are not vaccinated but they will be able to choose soon. I very much feel for our preschool teachers and directors who are not experts in this and must be struggling with it without clear guidance. But I know the teachers think it’s time to be done with masks, at least my son’s teachers have said so.

Can you tell us where this is?

Sorry I should have said we are in Rockville (Norbeck Montessori) so not helpful to you, just letting you know we saw progress recently after a lot of frustration this winter but they had allowed masks to be off last summer too and reintroduced for the winter rise in cases.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Bridgers just said they are currently still recommending masking in child care since they serve "unvaccinated" populations (apparently only young children are "unvaccinated") and they are still seeing outbreaks.

[Anonymous]

Try Spring Valley Montessori Academy, it is a wonderful school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Bridgers just said they are currently still recommending masking in child care since they serve "unvaccinated" populations (apparently only young children are "unvaccinated") and they are still seeing outbreaks.

Where did you see this? So frustrating

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Bridgers just said they are currently still recommending masking in child care since they serve "unvaccinated" populations (apparently only young children are "unvaccinated") and they are still seeing outbreaks.

Also to clarify, the CDC has not yet updated its guidance on child care, and apparently the county is waiting on that so they can make their own guidance (Andrew Friedson just urged them to just follow the guidance instead of creating their own).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Bridgers just said they are currently still recommending masking in child care since they serve "unvaccinated" populations (apparently only young children are "unvaccinated") and they are still seeing outbreaks.

Where did you see this? So frustrating

County Council session happening right now