Question about MD daycare rules

[Anonymous]

Maybe I’m just misunderstanding the guidance, but I thought daycare openings in Maryland were still limited to those that applied to be an EPCC site. My neighbor received an email from her provider that they have reopened, I was going to see if we could bring our child there too. We are eligible for essential care I’ve been hesitant to take DC somewhere I wasn’t familiar with. But this daycare is not on the approved list on the MD dept of education website. I’m hoping the list just isn’t updated regularly and there is a delay?? Otherwise I am concerned that what she is doing is against the rules.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s limited to EPCC’s anymore. The state stopped giving out EPCC stipends this month, so I think preschools can open up to anyone who is essential or works at a business opening during Phase 1 (or 2 if you’re not in MoCo). I think the capacity is limited to 50% (that’s what our center told us).

[Anonymous]

You don’t have to be an EPCC center anymore. Regular places are opening up at reduced capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t have to be an EPCC center anymore. Regular places are opening up at reduced capacity.

NP- is this true for all of MD? Or just counties that have moved to Phase 2?

[Anonymous]

In order to reopen, daycares must file the paperwork to become an EPCC site. The program works differently, now, though. The state isn't paying for daycare anymore, and it's open to any families that are working.

And yes, this is true for all of Maryland. You can't blame Elrich on this one.

[Anonymous]

All Maryland daycares that are open must be EPCC sites. All daycares that apply to be EPCC sites are being approved, which is why your daycare might be open.

At this point essential employees and workers returning to work under phase 1 and phase 2 (except in Pg Montgomery and Baltimore city) May return to daycare (this is not being enforced).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All Maryland daycares that are open must be EPCC sites. All daycares that apply to be EPCC sites are being approved, which is why your daycare might be open.

At this point essential employees and workers returning to work under phase 1 and phase 2 (except in Pg Montgomery and Baltimore city) May return to daycare (this is not being enforced).

Adding that it is still reduced capacity . At family daycare is this still means 10 people for the entire home, for centers this means 10 people in a room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Otherwise I am concerned that what she is doing is against the rules.

Out if curiosity, why does it matter to you one way or the other? If you're comfortable that the provider is taking the appropriate measures, what does a bureaucratic approval process add to that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
At this point essential employees and workers returning to work under phase 1 and phase 2 (except in Pg Montgomery and Baltimore city) May return to daycare (this is not being enforced).

The part I'll add to this is that "returning to work" includes teleworkers based on earlier guidance that went out from the Department of Education on the EPCC program.

So, it's extremely broad. I don't really see the point in saying it's only open to some when a very large set of people, I imagine, would meet the working/teleworking criteria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Otherwise I am concerned that what she is doing is against the rules.

Out if curiosity, why does it matter to you one way or the other? If you're comfortable that the provider is taking the appropriate measures, what does a bureaucratic approval process add to that?

Not OP, but some parents are hesitant to leave their children with caregivers who don't follow regulations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Otherwise I am concerned that what she is doing is against the rules.

Out if curiosity, why does it matter to you one way or the other? If you're comfortable that the provider is taking the appropriate measures, what does a bureaucratic approval process add to that?

Not OP, but some parents are hesitant to leave their children with caregivers who don't follow regulations.

Sure, that's what the OP basically said, too. I'm mostly just curious about why. Is it that you think the licensure process adds value by providing a better assurance of safety? Is it that you're concerned that there might be legal repercussions on you if you knowingly leave your child in an unlicensed provider? Or are you worried about the provider getting shut down? Or is it some higher-level thing that if the provider is willing to break the rules on this, where else might they break the rules?

Again, just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Otherwise I am concerned that what she is doing is against the rules.

Out if curiosity, why does it matter to you one way or the other? If you're comfortable that the provider is taking the appropriate measures, what does a bureaucratic approval process add to that?

Not OP, but some parents are hesitant to leave their children with caregivers who don't follow regulations.

Sure, that's what the OP basically said, too. I'm mostly just curious about why. Is it that you think the licensure process adds value by providing a better assurance of safety? Is it that you're concerned that there might be legal repercussions on you if you knowingly leave your child in an unlicensed provider? Or are you worried about the provider getting shut down? Or is it some higher-level thing that if the provider is willing to break the rules on this, where else might they break the rules?

Again, just curious.

OP here- a little bit of everything I guess. Again, this isn’t my normal provider and my neighbor says good things but why wouldn’t they go by the book. Would they even be subject to inspections if they are under the radar, for instance.

Really I just want our regular daycare to open but they say they don’t have enough guidance yet and still think they can only take certain kids (which they don’t find worthwhile and don’t want the responsibility for verifying). It’s all a bit confusing and I don’t understand if the state is truly letting any parents go at this point, why they would make the daycares jump through extra hoops to open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Otherwise I am concerned that what she is doing is against the rules.

Out if curiosity, why does it matter to you one way or the other? If you're comfortable that the provider is taking the appropriate measures, what does a bureaucratic approval process add to that?

Not OP, but some parents are hesitant to leave their children with caregivers who don't follow regulations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In order to reopen, daycares must file the paperwork to become an EPCC site. The program works differently, now, though. The state isn't paying for daycare anymore, and it's open to any families that are working.

And yes, this is true for all of Maryland. You can't blame Elrich on this one.

This couldn’t be anymore incorrect. Elrich has us in phase 1. Can’t open up to everyone until Phase 2. Get your facts straight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
At this point essential employees and workers returning to work under phase 1 and phase 2 (except in Pg Montgomery and Baltimore city) May return to daycare (this is not being enforced).

[/b]The part I'll add to this is that "returning to work" includes teleworkers based on earlier guidance that went out from the Department of Education on the EPCC program.[b]

So, it's extremely broad. I don't really see the point in saying it's only open to some when a very large set of people, I imagine, would meet the working/teleworking criteria.

You are 100% correct.