Curious if anyone's daycare (of those in MCPS buildings) has reopened yet. I saw there was an announcement on Facebook from Andrew Friedson that some daycares had received the green light but not sure if they were actually open yet. Or has anyone received further updates?

I wonder how today's announcement about schools being DL only until February will affect things. I saw that the MCPS message today said they would let some child care providers reopen. I assume that means not all?

Looking at the MCPS plan that was released today I think any of the following are likely:

1. They won't allow them back in at all this year to use the additional space for MCPS students
2. They will let the daycares back in, maybe in September, maybe later, but they will have to close every Wednesday
3. (least likely) daycares open full time starting September so teachers can work.

If that's the case, then MCPS can say that.

Immediate PP here. "MSDE has been *quickly* telling..." should have been "MSDE has been *quietly* telling..."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like that MCPS message is about school reopening in the fall. It doesn't seem to speak to daycares in MCPS facilities.

Read it again.

Found it. "Similarly, MCPS is working closely with state and local health officials around opening child care in school buildings."


That sounds like it's another case of waiting on Dr. Gayles. He seems to be the reason Montgomery Parks playgrounds didn't open up last Friday too. They also said they were waiting on guidance from county health officials.

Fair enough. What would be helpful is to know what the criteria are for opening child care facilities in schools. Is it tied to the start of school? Is there, as PP said, a possibility those child care providers won't open again? And if it's Dr. Gayles who is blocking this, then he should stand behind his decision and explain it. It looks like they are having a "virtual town hall" tonight on child care, but "space is limited" (on Zoom???) and the event is already full.

Agreed. I'm very disappointed in the lack of responsibility that Elrich and Dr. Gayles have taken in their own decisions. They haven't explained any other decision they've made, or given any great insight into their decision-making criteria, so I wouldn't expect them to start now.

I mean MCPS could also be more straightforward. They must know the reason why their buildings are closed to child care providers. They haven't shared it either. And Dr. Gayles has explained why playgrounds are still closed, though it's unfortunate the policy seems to be the same across the county even though not all playgrounds are going to be so crowded.

Where has Dr. Gayles addressed playgrounds? Particularly since Phase 2 was announced, which reopens them.

But yes, it does seem like MCPS could be more direct. Unless it really is as simple as that they're waiting for DHHS to clarify the county executive order requirements on face coverings, social distancing and sanitization procedures. As a county-level agency, I imagine MCPS feels more pressure to strictly meet the executive order requirements.

The situation is a bit different for private daycares. MSDE has been quickly telling providers that they can ignore elements of the county EO if they don't think they apply or are practical in a child care setting, provided that they're meeting the more specific requirements outlined at the state level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like that MCPS message is about school reopening in the fall. It doesn't seem to speak to daycares in MCPS facilities.

Read it again.

Found it. "Similarly, MCPS is working closely with state and local health officials around opening child care in school buildings."


That sounds like it's another case of waiting on Dr. Gayles. He seems to be the reason Montgomery Parks playgrounds didn't open up last Friday too. They also said they were waiting on guidance from county health officials.

Fair enough. What would be helpful is to know what the criteria are for opening child care facilities in schools. Is it tied to the start of school? Is there, as PP said, a possibility those child care providers won't open again? And if it's Dr. Gayles who is blocking this, then he should stand behind his decision and explain it. It looks like they are having a "virtual town hall" tonight on child care, but "space is limited" (on Zoom???) and the event is already full.

Agreed. I'm very disappointed in the lack of responsibility that Elrich and Dr. Gayles have taken in their own decisions. They haven't explained any other decision they've made, or given any great insight into their decision-making criteria, so I wouldn't expect them to start now.

I mean MCPS could also be more straightforward. They must know the reason why their buildings are closed to child care providers. They haven't shared it either. And Dr. Gayles has explained why playgrounds are still closed, though it's unfortunate the policy seems to be the same across the county even though not all playgrounds are going to be so crowded.