Mask requirements in childcare facilities (MD)

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

There is no longer a requirement to wear masks outdoors. Maryland only strongly recommends masks between two and five, over five is required. Mo County has recently just aligned themselves with the state so it might be your centers decision to keep masks on the kids.

[Anonymous]

Given Hogan's announcement about masks and schools in the fall, I was actually just wondering if the state was planning to provide updated guidance for childcare facilities about this? It wouldn't surprise me if there is a lot of confusion right now about what exactly is recommended/required.

[Anonymous]

The latest guidance was issued May 20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The latest guidance was issued May 20.

NP but was just going to say this too- here is the link:
https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/3/covid_guidance_full_080420.pdf

Personally I don't like the continued wishy-washyness about mask usage outside. The language still points to the need for distance to be maintained in order to remove face coverings. Obviously asking toddlers to maintain distance is unrealistic, so our center continues to require masks outside, even on hot days. Why can't the CDC and MSDE just say they're not needed outside rather than asking providers to make judgment calls about distance and what constitutes a high enough temperature or activity level to warrant concerns about heat illness?

[Anonymous]

as much as it sucks, I don't think it matters what MD says -- if the center requires masks, they require masks. just like some stores still do

[Anonymous]

It is recommended but not required. However, consider that a risk averse director will likely and understandably want to follow the recommendation. Otherwise they will be blamed if there is an outbreak. The CDC and the state need to step up and stand up for young children and stop recommending masks for children that are unlikely to transmit Covid and often can't wear masks correctly.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure the child care office can control me as an adult not employed by a business they license. They can control my kid and the teachers, but I wonder about me.

That said, is this the hill you want to die on? Is it worth destroying a relationship with the people who care for your child every day? It’s 60 seconds of drop off. Suck it up and play along with meaningless mask-wearing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure the child care office can control me as an adult not employed by a business they license. They can control my kid and the teachers, but I wonder about me.

That said, is this the hill you want to die on? Is it worth destroying a relationship with the people who care for your child every day? It’s 60 seconds of drop off. Suck it up and play along with meaningless mask-wearing.

OP here- it's not, if I were to choose a hill to die on right now it would be for letting the kids play outside unmasked. I just wish they would be honest and say it's *their* policy rather than deflect. Either they're deliberately lying or don't understand what the state actually requires.

[Anonymous]

And thank you to the PP who posted the most recent guidance doc- that's what I was trying to find!

[Anonymous]

My in-home requires parents to be masked during pickup and drop off. The providers also remain masked during the day. Kids are encouraged to wear masks but not required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The latest guidance was issued May 20.

NP but was just going to say this too- here is the link:
https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/3/covid_guidance_full_080420.pdf

Personally I don't like the continued wishy-washyness about mask usage outside. The language still points to the need for distance to be maintained in order to remove face coverings. Obviously asking toddlers to maintain distance is unrealistic, so our center continues to require masks outside, even on hot days. Why can't the CDC and MSDE just say they're not needed outside rather than asking providers to make judgment calls about distance and what constitutes a high enough temperature or activity level to warrant concerns about heat illness?

I wish they'd drop the outside mask recs too, or at least be more specific about a temperature above which they should be removed for safety reasons (e.g., 80 degrees). Kids get worn down just like adults- my preschooler said this morning that they didn't want to go to daycare because "at daycare we wear masks and at home we don't." He has not been one to complain about masks and has been back since last summer. They only get breaks for eating, it's a pre-K class and phasing out naps so now they can't even take them off during "quiet time."

[Anonymous]

I hear you. The masks at outdoor drop off and pick up for parents is irritating theatre but I’d gladly do that forever if they would just let these kids run around outside with no masks. My center won’t even do water play because it would mean no masks outside. I hate this so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear you. The masks at outdoor drop off and pick up for parents is irritating theatre but I’d gladly do that forever if they would just let these kids run around outside with no masks. My center won’t even do water play because it would mean no masks outside. I hate this so much.

NP- same, and get this. I brought up the concern with masks on hot days, and their solution is to eliminate outside time on those days. They think it's better to keep the kids inside with masks on rather than let them play outside without! It's insane. We move at the end of the summer so I'm just buying my time at this point.

[Anonymous]

Bumping this up- curious if anyone's providers have shifted their mask policy following Hogan's announcement last week? It's been crickets at ours, masks still required inside and out and presumably no change on July 1.....