How is the "new normal" at daycare?

[Anonymous]

I’m surprised by all these restrictions. Our center has been open the entire time. They require temp checks at the door and parents can’t enter the building. They limit the kids + staff to 15/room at most (usually it’s lower than that) but otherwise they’re basically doing things as normal.

They had water day today, they do circle time, etc.

No known cases at the center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised by all these restrictions. Our center has been open the entire time. They require temp checks at the door and parents can’t enter the building. They limit the kids + staff to 15/room at most (usually it’s lower than that) but otherwise they’re basically doing things as normal.

They had water day today, they do circle time, etc.

No known cases at the center.

DC is 10 to a room when normal ratio is as high as 20 people for 4 year olds. Its a major problem for returning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The list of prohibitions we have seen from our center is no sensory table, no water play, no bubbles, no circle time, no dress up/ dramatic play, no soft toys, no outside vendors for music and pe, and no outside time for infants bc they can't be distanced in strollers, no use of shared multipurpose room including if they cant go to playground.

What is left to do?

[Anonymous]

My kid is back to daycare last week. Except temp check at the front of school, no visitors/parents going in, no actual field trip, I see kids wear NO masks, play at playground & do avitivities together. The only drawback is i could not get the chance to talk to room teacher how my kid is doing, other than that, so far so good. My kid is happy to head back to daycare to play, he did not go anywhere except a few walk around the house for 3 months.

[Anonymous]

I know a lot of daycares opened back up July 6. Reviving this thread to see if anyone else can comment on the "new normal"? Our daycare opened up July 6, but because we are away for two weeks, are haven't sent DS back. But we are back last week of July and considering it, assuming the numbers in DC stay relatively low...

[Anonymous]

kids are not masked, but school is at much lower capacity. they still have shared tables but they are spread out a little more. kids are extremely happy to be relatively normal, but many precautions put in by staff to wear double masks, sanitize, shorter hours, etc. they stay w/in their classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those of you with infants, let us know how that is going.

I think in some ways it will be easier for infants. They really just lay in a crib, poop, and eat. They don't have to wear masks or worry about distanced play.

Yeah, infants are a lot easier. Assuming your daycare has enough space, it's pretty easy to space their cribs apart, space them for tummy time, etc. That's about it.

[Anonymous]

My kids have been back since mid June -- biggest changes for them are the temp checks at the door, masks are "recommended" but not enforced (from what we have seen through the window, most kids wear them), and they really are only allowed in classroom pods -- e.g. the kids in one classroom do not mingle with those in another classroom, which is a change. Meals have also changed quite a bit -- it's a Montessori school so they used to help prep for the communal meal -- no more.

No issues. And "sick" kids are allowed -- a runny nose will not keep a 2 year old out so long as that's the only symptom. The kid has to be displaying covid symptoms and/or have a fever.

I'm in Illinois FWIW. Testing here is prevalent.

[Anonymous]

We've been back a week and it's been great for the kids to be back in a structured, age-appropriate environment. Parents aren't allowed inside, teachers wear masks, and they try to keep the kids outside as much as possible. I feel like it's sustainable if the local cases don't tick up much, but we might be on borrowed time. We'll see!

[Anonymous]

Ours has designated pickup and drop off times so parents aren’t clogging the door. We have to hand kids off at the front door and are not allowed inside. The providers wear masks, kids do not. Temperatures are checked daily at the door and they ask if anyone has symptoms. The daycare is also closing an hour and a half early so they can clean and disinfect.

[Anonymous]

We've been back a week and everyone in the family, toddler included, is so much happier. I didn't realize how much she needed the structure of daycare, and my trying to work with her home was really stressful for both of us. The procedures are definitely different--I drop off at door, sign in with gloves on, wear a mask. She uses hand sanitizer, gets her temp taken before she goes in (and after nap), and has to have a special pair of indoor shoes for use inside the center only. There are many fewer kids. Right now it's 4 caretakers and 5 kids in her class, though that will change come fall. Teachers wear masks all day. There is no rotating of teachers; once they are in the center, they can't leave, so they each have 6 hour continuous shifts (with breaks of course, but breaks have to be taken in the center). No floater teachers at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've been back a week and everyone in the family, toddler included, is so much happier. I didn't realize how much she needed the structure of daycare, and my trying to work with her home was really stressful for both of us. The procedures are definitely different--I drop off at door, sign in with gloves on, wear a mask. She uses hand sanitizer, gets her temp taken before she goes in (and after nap), and has to have a special pair of indoor shoes for use inside the center only. There are many fewer kids. Right now it's 4 caretakers and 5 kids in her class, though that will change come fall. Teachers wear masks all day. There is no rotating of teachers; once they are in the center, they can't leave, so they each have 6 hour continuous shifts (with breaks of course, but breaks have to be taken in the center). No floater teachers at all.

Forgot to mention - like PP, we also sign up for a pickup and drop-off window.