Anyone succeed in changing daycare COVID policies? How did you do it?

[Anonymous]

I'm at the end of my rope with our daycare's COVID restrictions and want to change them. They are out of step with public health risks, out of step with many other daycares in the area and -- most importantly, imo -- impractical and untenable for working parents. Particularly as the youngest kids now have a vaccine available, I want to encourage policy changes that allow dual working-parent families like mine to thrive or at least maintain adequate childcare unless a kid is actively, more-than-a-sniffle sick.

I don't want to intimidate the staff or the administrators, particularly the staff -- they work very hard and I value their care for my child greatly and have bonded with them personally. While I don't want to underplay the significant financial expense these quarantines/etc. are imposing, I also don't want to make it all about money. I would like to engage thoughtfully in a way that results in meaningful, permanent change.

If you've influenced changes at your daycare, how did you do it? What worked and what didn't? Did anyone contact the local health department or local government officials instead (or in addition to) the daycare? If so, please share how you engaged.

Location would also be helpful, as would sharing your daycare's current policy on COVID issues.

I'm not saying we should be having COVID chicken pox parties. But it's not fair (or frankly, good for gender equality or the economy) to maintain extreme policies in childcare centers while the rest of the world has moved on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm at the end of my rope with our daycare's COVID restrictions and want to change them. They are out of step with public health risks, out of step with many other daycares in the area and -- most importantly, imo -- impractical and untenable for working parents. Particularly as the youngest kids now have a vaccine available, I want to encourage policy changes that allow dual working-parent families like mine to thrive or at least maintain adequate childcare unless a kid is actively, more-than-a-sniffle sick. [b

I don't want to intimidate the staff or the administrators, particularly the staff -- they work very hard and I value their care for my child greatly and have bonded with them personally. While I don't want to underplay the significant financial expense these quarantines/etc. are imposing, I also don't want to make it all about money. I would like to engage thoughtfully in a way that results in meaningful, permanent change.

If you've influenced changes at your daycare, how did you do it? What worked and what didn't? Did anyone contact the local health department or local government officials instead (or in addition to) the daycare? If so, please share how you engaged.

Location would also be helpful, as would sharing your daycare's current policy on COVID issues.

I'm not saying we should be having COVID chicken pox parties. But it's not fair (or frankly, good for gender equality or the economy) to maintain extreme policies in childcare centers while the rest of the world has moved on.

So by “allow…families to thrive”, you mean allowing your Covid positive child to attend daycare as long as his Covid isn’t manifesting as “more than a sniffle”?

Is that what you are trying to say? You want to be allowed to send your Covid positive kid to daycare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm at the end of my rope with our daycare's COVID restrictions and want to change them. They are out of step with public health risks, out of step with many other daycares in the area and -- most importantly, imo -- impractical and untenable for working parents. Particularly as the youngest kids now have a vaccine available, I want to encourage policy changes that allow dual working-parent families like mine to thrive or at least maintain adequate childcare unless a kid is actively, more-than-a-sniffle sick. [b

I don't want to intimidate the staff or the administrators, particularly the staff -- they work very hard and I value their care for my child greatly and have bonded with them personally. While I don't want to underplay the significant financial expense these quarantines/etc. are imposing, I also don't want to make it all about money. I would like to engage thoughtfully in a way that results in meaningful, permanent change.

If you've influenced changes at your daycare, how did you do it? What worked and what didn't? Did anyone contact the local health department or local government officials instead (or in addition to) the daycare? If so, please share how you engaged.

Location would also be helpful, as would sharing your daycare's current policy on COVID issues.

I'm not saying we should be having COVID chicken pox parties. But it's not fair (or frankly, good for gender equality or the economy) to maintain extreme policies in childcare centers while the rest of the world has moved on.

This is why you won't get anywhere. Anything you try to advocate will be met with a similar comment.

So by “allow…families to thrive”, you mean allowing your Covid positive child to attend daycare as long as his Covid isn’t manifesting as “more than a sniffle”?

Is that what you are trying to say? You want to be allowed to send your Covid positive kid to daycare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm at the end of my rope with our daycare's COVID restrictions and want to change them. They are out of step with public health risks, out of step with many other daycares in the area and -- most importantly, imo -- impractical and untenable for working parents. Particularly as the youngest kids now have a vaccine available, I want to encourage policy changes that allow dual working-parent families like mine to thrive or at least maintain adequate childcare unless a kid is actively, more-than-a-sniffle sick. [b

I don't want to intimidate the staff or the administrators, particularly the staff -- they work very hard and I value their care for my child greatly and have bonded with them personally. While I don't want to underplay the significant financial expense these quarantines/etc. are imposing, I also don't want to make it all about money. I would like to engage thoughtfully in a way that results in meaningful, permanent change.

If you've influenced changes at your daycare, how did you do it? What worked and what didn't? Did anyone contact the local health department or local government officials instead (or in addition to) the daycare? If so, please share how you engaged.

Location would also be helpful, as would sharing your daycare's current policy on COVID issues.

I'm not saying we should be having COVID chicken pox parties. But it's not fair (or frankly, good for gender equality or the economy) to maintain extreme policies in childcare centers while the rest of the world has moved on.

So by “allow…families to thrive”, you mean allowing your Covid positive child to attend daycare as long as his Covid isn’t manifesting as “more than a sniffle”?

Is that what you are trying to say? You want to be allowed to send your Covid positive kid to daycare?

No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying stop the endless quarantines for classroom exposure. I'd be fine with something like "test to stay."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm at the end of my rope with our daycare's COVID restrictions and want to change them. They are out of step with public health risks, out of step with many other daycares in the area and -- most importantly, imo -- impractical and untenable for working parents. Particularly as the youngest kids now have a vaccine available, I want to encourage policy changes that allow dual working-parent families like mine to thrive or at least maintain adequate childcare unless a kid is actively, more-than-a-sniffle sick. [b

I don't want to intimidate the staff or the administrators, particularly the staff -- they work very hard and I value their care for my child greatly and have bonded with them personally. While I don't want to underplay the significant financial expense these quarantines/etc. are imposing, I also don't want to make it all about money. I would like to engage thoughtfully in a way that results in meaningful, permanent change.

If you've influenced changes at your daycare, how did you do it? What worked and what didn't? Did anyone contact the local health department or local government officials instead (or in addition to) the daycare? If so, please share how you engaged.

Location would also be helpful, as would sharing your daycare's current policy on COVID issues.

I'm not saying we should be having COVID chicken pox parties. But it's not fair (or frankly, good for gender equality or the economy) to maintain extreme policies in childcare centers while the rest of the world has moved on.

So by “allow…families to thrive”, you mean allowing your Covid positive child to attend daycare as long as his Covid isn’t manifesting as “more than a sniffle”?

Is that what you are trying to say? You want to be allowed to send your Covid positive kid to daycare?

No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying stop the endless quarantines for classroom exposure. I'd be fine with something like "test to stay."

Won’t it end naturally when the kids are vaccinated? Vaccination means you don’t quarantine for mere exposure. My ES kids were exposed daily during omicron and we just kept sending them to school anyway. I expect the same for daycares once they are full vaccinated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm at the end of my rope with our daycare's COVID restrictions and want to change them. They are out of step with public health risks, out of step with many other daycares in the area and -- most importantly, imo -- impractical and untenable for working parents. Particularly as the youngest kids now have a vaccine available, I want to encourage policy changes that allow dual working-parent families like mine to thrive or at least maintain adequate childcare unless a kid is actively, more-than-a-sniffle sick. [b

I don't want to intimidate the staff or the administrators, particularly the staff -- they work very hard and I value their care for my child greatly and have bonded with them personally. While I don't want to underplay the significant financial expense these quarantines/etc. are imposing, I also don't want to make it all about money. I would like to engage thoughtfully in a way that results in meaningful, permanent change.

If you've influenced changes at your daycare, how did you do it? What worked and what didn't? Did anyone contact the local health department or local government officials instead (or in addition to) the daycare? If so, please share how you engaged.

Location would also be helpful, as would sharing your daycare's current policy on COVID issues.

I'm not saying we should be having COVID chicken pox parties. But it's not fair (or frankly, good for gender equality or the economy) to maintain extreme policies in childcare centers while the rest of the world has moved on.

So by “allow…families to thrive”, you mean allowing your Covid positive child to attend daycare as long as his Covid isn’t manifesting as “more than a sniffle”?

Is that what you are trying to say? You want to be allowed to send your Covid positive kid to daycare?

No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying stop the endless quarantines for classroom exposure. I'd be fine with something like "test to stay."

Won’t it end naturally when the kids are vaccinated? Vaccination means you don’t quarantine for mere exposure. My ES kids were exposed daily during omicron and we just kept sending them to school anyway. I expect the same for daycares once they are full vaccinated.

OP here: that's what I'm hoping, but I haven't gotten a straight answer yet. And honestly, the masking on days 6-10 at school has been an issue so far. My kid is 2 and won't wear a mask for 8 hours straight.

[Anonymous]

another question: I know there are daycare providers who are on this forum. From your perspective, what would make a difference? I'm honestly curious.

[Anonymous]

I honestly think it’s absurd to treat vaccinated toddlers differently than unvaccinated toddlers when the vaccine is at best 40-50% effective for what a couple months? It’s a soft vaccine mandate. If there is a case in the classroom everyone tests daily with a home test (free and plentiful) and comes to school unless positive. It’s 2022 and parents (moms) are out of leave and out of patience. Honestly I’d be fine with the Norway approach — stay home when sick and no tests unless need hospital care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm at the end of my rope with our daycare's COVID restrictions and want to change them. They are out of step with public health risks, out of step with many other daycares in the area and -- most importantly, imo -- impractical and untenable for working parents. Particularly as the youngest kids now have a vaccine available, I want to encourage policy changes that allow dual working-parent families like mine to thrive or at least maintain adequate childcare unless a kid is actively, more-than-a-sniffle sick. [b

I don't want to intimidate the staff or the administrators, particularly the staff -- they work very hard and I value their care for my child greatly and have bonded with them personally. While I don't want to underplay the significant financial expense these quarantines/etc. are imposing, I also don't want to make it all about money. I would like to engage thoughtfully in a way that results in meaningful, permanent change.

If you've influenced changes at your daycare, how did you do it? What worked and what didn't? Did anyone contact the local health department or local government officials instead (or in addition to) the daycare? If so, please share how you engaged.

Location would also be helpful, as would sharing your daycare's current policy on COVID issues.

I'm not saying we should be having COVID chicken pox parties. But it's not fair (or frankly, good for gender equality or the economy) to maintain extreme policies in childcare centers while the rest of the world has moved on.

So by “allow…families to thrive”, you mean allowing your Covid positive child to attend daycare as long as his Covid isn’t manifesting as “more than a sniffle”?

Is that what you are trying to say? You want to be allowed to send your Covid positive kid to daycare?

No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying stop the endless quarantines for classroom exposure. I'd be fine with something like "test to stay."

Won’t it end naturally when the kids are vaccinated? Vaccination means you don’t quarantine for mere exposure. My ES kids were exposed daily during omicron and we just kept sending them to school anyway. I expect the same for daycares once they are full vaccinated.

OP here: that's what I'm hoping, but I haven't gotten a straight answer yet. And honestly, the masking on days 6-10 at school has been an issue so far. My kid is 2 and won't wear a mask for 8 hours straight.

Us too and the thing that kills me is the masks come off for eating (two snacks plus lunch) AND the 2.5 hour rest time when they sleep on cots in same room next to each other. Can’t we ditch the freaking masks on babies in diapers the rest of the day for god’s sake?! How many Covid cases have been prevented by a two year old wearing a crayola mask from 8 to 10, 10:30 to 12, and 4-5 pm but no other times. It’s madness and it’s driving me to madness.

[Anonymous]

I think your best bet is to organize the parent community. You need enough families willing to voice their opinion to override the inevitable chicken little family that will scream and yell that you are trying to kill their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your best bet is to organize the parent community. You need enough families willing to voice their opinion to override the inevitable chicken little family that will scream and yell that you are trying to kill their kids.

Yeah, I am thinking this is the way. Unfortunately there's no email listserv or anything, and I'm only friends with a few of the parents other than basic playground politeness. Plus, while I think the majority are very frustrated by the status quo, there are a few who are very cautious and may disagree.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, I'm on MoCo and also beyond frustrated with these policies. I'm touring other preschools next week to see if the policies are different. I don't know what to do other than change providers, if there are any available that don't follow these rules.

Several of the Scandinavian countries and England now only want people to test if they're symptomatic AND they're high risk--because then they can get treated with therapeutics. For everyone else, they accept that it's not that big of a deal medically and that it's inevitable and that the disruptions to society with constant quarantines and testing are too costly. I wish the US (in particular very blue areas) would come around to that line of thinking.

[Anonymous]

Vote with your feet. Have you even started getting on waitlists of other providers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm at the end of my rope with our daycare's COVID restrictions and want to change them. They are out of step with public health risks, out of step with many other daycares in the area and -- most importantly, imo -- impractical and untenable for working parents. Particularly as the youngest kids now have a vaccine available, I want to encourage policy changes that allow dual working-parent families like mine to thrive or at least maintain adequate childcare unless a kid is actively, more-than-a-sniffle sick. [b

I don't want to intimidate the staff or the administrators, particularly the staff -- they work very hard and I value their care for my child greatly and have bonded with them personally. While I don't want to underplay the significant financial expense these quarantines/etc. are imposing, I also don't want to make it all about money. I would like to engage thoughtfully in a way that results in meaningful, permanent change.

If you've influenced changes at your daycare, how did you do it? What worked and what didn't? Did anyone contact the local health department or local government officials instead (or in addition to) the daycare? If so, please share how you engaged.

Location would also be helpful, as would sharing your daycare's current policy on COVID issues.

I'm not saying we should be having COVID chicken pox parties. But it's not fair (or frankly, good for gender equality or the economy) to maintain extreme policies in childcare centers while the rest of the world has moved on.

So by “allow…families to thrive”, you mean allowing your Covid positive child to attend daycare as long as his Covid isn’t manifesting as “more than a sniffle”?

Is that what you are trying to say? You want to be allowed to send your Covid positive kid to daycare?

No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying stop the endless quarantines for classroom exposure. I'd be fine with something like "test to stay."

Won’t it end naturally when the kids are vaccinated? Vaccination means you don’t quarantine for mere exposure. My ES kids were exposed daily during omicron and we just kept sending them to school anyway. I expect the same for daycares once they are full vaccinated.

OP here: that's what I'm hoping, but I haven't gotten a straight answer yet. And honestly, the masking on days 6-10 at school has been an issue so far. My kid is 2 and won't wear a mask for 8 hours straight.

Vaccinated kids dont mask as a result of exposure, so this will also go away in time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vote with your feet. Have you even started getting on waitlists of other providers?

Never understood this. Why not stay and make the rules better for everyone? Makes no sense to leave every time you don’t like something.