Mask requirements in childcare facilities (MD)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC attends a center in MD. There's been a bit of a kerfuffle because some (presumably vaccinated) parents haven't been wearing masks when dropping kids at the door in the morning (outside). So the director recently sent a reminder saying all parents and kids over 2yo need to stay masked as kids aren't eligible for the vaccine, and that this policy is required by the MSDE Office of Child Care. I've been a little bit irritated about the kids having to continue to wear masks during outside time to begin with but I'm not even sure what she is saying is true. I thought MSDE *recommended* masks from ages 2-5 as tolerated, but never actually required them. I know of several in-home daycares that don't require masks on the kids at all. But now I can't find anything on the MSDE child care website that outlines their mask policy. I'm sure I'm just missing it but does anyone know? I also wonder if it's evolved at all since last spring?

Your director is correct. I work in a Maryland preschool and as much as we don't like the rules, we have to abide by them. We are governed by the MSDE OCC (Maryland State Department of Education Office of Child Care) and still as of TODAY, preschools MUST continue to wear masks indoors. We also have to continue to wear them outside if we cant remain socially distanced. We have emails from our licensing dept. at MSDE that we are not privy to the same rules as the schools, and "they" will let us know if we can also take our masks off after July 1st. Just as you have to follow the rules at YOUR job, we must do the same at ours, and just because some parents don't like the rule doesn't mean we are going to risk OUR license and OUR job and OUR livelihood to cater to people who can't follow rules. We don't like the rules either.

With all due respect, are you getting different information from your licensing specialist than what is printed in this document? Because it only says masks are “recommended” for ages 2-4. And that’s totally fine if you want to follow that recommendation, but that’s different than being required to follow a “rule.”

https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/3/covid_guidance_full_080420.pdf

And I’m not understanding about the “they” you are waiting to hear from regarding the change in policy July 1. Didn’t hogan specifically mention child cares in addition to schools?

It’s amazing that everyone seems to be on completely different pages here.

Welcome to Child Care in Montgomery County! This is the wording right from the webpage:
Face coverings must be worn inside
Public transportation
Schools
Health care settings
Youth camps
Childcare facilities
some County offices and facilities (clinics, correctional facilities, homeless shelters)

The OCC guidance states that masks must be worn in childcare by everyone ages 5 and up. And they are strongly recommended for children 2-5. The OCC is a STATE agency. The County is following the STATE.

Ok, but that is NOT what childcare providers are being told by the licensing specialists. And they are the ones we answer to.

Then it sounds like the licensing specialists, like many people on this thread, have not read the guidance put out by their own office LAST WEEK which CLEARLY STATES MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN CHILD CARE FACILITES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC attends a center in MD. There's been a bit of a kerfuffle because some (presumably vaccinated) parents haven't been wearing masks when dropping kids at the door in the morning (outside). So the director recently sent a reminder saying all parents and kids over 2yo need to stay masked as kids aren't eligible for the vaccine, and that this policy is required by the MSDE Office of Child Care. I've been a little bit irritated about the kids having to continue to wear masks during outside time to begin with but I'm not even sure what she is saying is true. I thought MSDE *recommended* masks from ages 2-5 as tolerated, but never actually required them. I know of several in-home daycares that don't require masks on the kids at all. But now I can't find anything on the MSDE child care website that outlines their mask policy. I'm sure I'm just missing it but does anyone know? I also wonder if it's evolved at all since last spring?

Your director is correct. I work in a Maryland preschool and as much as we don't like the rules, we have to abide by them. We are governed by the MSDE OCC (Maryland State Department of Education Office of Child Care) and still as of TODAY, preschools MUST continue to wear masks indoors. We also have to continue to wear them outside if we cant remain socially distanced. We have emails from our licensing dept. at MSDE that we are not privy to the same rules as the schools, and "they" will let us know if we can also take our masks off after July 1st. Just as you have to follow the rules at YOUR job, we must do the same at ours, and just because some parents don't like the rule doesn't mean we are going to risk OUR license and OUR job and OUR livelihood to cater to people who can't follow rules. We don't like the rules either.

With all due respect, are you getting different information from your licensing specialist than what is printed in this document? Because it only says masks are “recommended” for ages 2-4. And that’s totally fine if you want to follow that recommendation, but that’s different than being required to follow a “rule.”

https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/3/covid_guidance_full_080420.pdf

And I’m not understanding about the “they” you are waiting to hear from regarding the change in policy July 1. Didn’t hogan specifically mention child cares in addition to schools?

It’s amazing that everyone seems to be on completely different pages here.

Welcome to Child Care in Montgomery County! This is the wording right from the webpage:
Face coverings must be worn inside
Public transportation
Schools
Health care settings
Youth camps
Childcare facilities
some County offices and facilities (clinics, correctional facilities, homeless shelters)

The OCC guidance states that masks must be worn in childcare by everyone ages 5 and up. And they are strongly recommended for children 2-5. The OCC is a STATE agency. The County is following the STATE.

Ok, but that is NOT what childcare providers are being told by the licensing specialists. And they are the ones we answer to.

Then it sounds like the licensing specialists, like many people on this thread, have not read the guidance put out by their own office LAST WEEK which CLEARLY STATES MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN CHILD CARE FACILITES.

You misunderstand- that is what we are told yes, masks are required for everyone starting at the 2nd birthday- but that is not what the actual OCC guidance states. There is a difference between "recommended" and "required." And so far no changes July 1, they say Hogan said that for political points.

[Anonymous]

As of 7/2 no more masks are required for children .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As of 7/2 no more masks are required for children .

Are you a childcare provider? Have you gotten official guidance yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As of 7/2 no more masks are required for children .

Are you a childcare provider? Have you gotten official guidance yet?

Yes and it was discussed in a meeting.