Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maryland is sort of in a weird place right now with daycare. Basically z anyone can use the daycares that are open right now. But, the room size restrictions probably make some daycares unprofitable. That also means there's a shortage of availability at some places.

I think this new status quo will be maintained through the summer. More daycares will open up over the next couple weeks, which might help with availability a little bit

Right. I asked one of DD’s teachers about whether the EPCC thing is done or not today and she said, “It sort of is and sort of isn’t. It’s pretty confusing, but given the 50% capacity limit we have, there are definitely going to be parents who aren’t going to have spots once workplaces start opening up more.”

Oh — one more thing. She said that, since they have to limit each room to 10 people (kids and teachers), the existing childcare ratios mean there are more spots for older kids than younger ones. My 3 year old can be in a room with 9 kids and 1 teacher, but an infant room can’t have a 9 to 1 ratio.

So the restrictions screw over the parents of younger kids more than older kids.

That’s not accurate, at least at my daycare. Every infant parent who wants a spot will get it because the current ration of 6 to 2 is less than 10 people. I contrast, older kids current have 24 kids with 2 or three adults. That will have to go to 9 kids to 1 adult. So, if all families with older kids want a spot, only slightly more than 1/3 will get one - in contrast to every infant family.

15 now instead of 10 per the news today.

Will Elrich attempt to override? I hope not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maryland is sort of in a weird place right now with daycare. Basically z anyone can use the daycares that are open right now. But, the room size restrictions probably make some daycares unprofitable. That also means there's a shortage of availability at some places.

I think this new status quo will be maintained through the summer. More daycares will open up over the next couple weeks, which might help with availability a little bit

Right. I asked one of DD’s teachers about whether the EPCC thing is done or not today and she said, “It sort of is and sort of isn’t. It’s pretty confusing, but given the 50% capacity limit we have, there are definitely going to be parents who aren’t going to have spots once workplaces start opening up more.”

Oh — one more thing. She said that, since they have to limit each room to 10 people (kids and teachers), the existing childcare ratios mean there are more spots for older kids than younger ones. My 3 year old can be in a room with 9 kids and 1 teacher, but an infant room can’t have a 9 to 1 ratio.

So the restrictions screw over the parents of younger kids more than older kids.

That’s not accurate, at least at my daycare. Every infant parent who wants a spot will get it because the current ration of 6 to 2 is less than 10 people. I contrast, older kids current have 24 kids with 2 or three adults. That will have to go to 9 kids to 1 adult. So, if all families with older kids want a spot, only slightly more than 1/3 will get one - in contrast to every infant family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maryland is sort of in a weird place right now with daycare. Basically z anyone can use the daycares that are open right now. But, the room size restrictions probably make some daycares unprofitable. That also means there's a shortage of availability at some places.

I think this new status quo will be maintained through the summer. More daycares will open up over the next couple weeks, which might help with availability a little bit

Right. I asked one of DD’s teachers about whether the EPCC thing is done or not today and she said, “It sort of is and sort of isn’t. It’s pretty confusing, but given the 50% capacity limit we have, there are definitely going to be parents who aren’t going to have spots once workplaces start opening up more.”

Oh — one more thing. She said that, since they have to limit each room to 10 people (kids and teachers), the existing childcare ratios mean there are more spots for older kids than younger ones. My 3 year old can be in a room with 9 kids and 1 teacher, but an infant room can’t have a 9 to 1 ratio.

So the restrictions screw over the parents of younger kids more than older kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Daycares fall under the Maryland Department of Education so changes come from the state level. Since we are in phase 2 that means that daycares in Maryland will accept the children of essential employees, nonessential employees returning under phase 1 and nonessential employees returning to work for phase 2. the exceptions are Montgomery county, PG and I believe Baltimore (although I’m not sure if Prince Georges or Baltimore have the same restrictions that Montgomery county has). In montgomery County we are still only under phase 1 which means technically we may only watch essential children and children to phase 1 employees. This was not made clear to daycares so that may be why you have phase 1 and phase 2 employees back in care in Montgomery county. Also, only one parent must fit into that category in order for a child to qualify to return.

Since it sounds like you're a child care provider, I wanted to point out that federal employees *are* phase 1 employees. They're plausibly even essential employees, but there's little question that federal agencies are allowed to operate during phase 1.

Yes I am a provider. I didn’t realize that I addressed several employees, my apologies if I confused anybody. In general a lot of people were confused on what essential employees versus nonessential employees meant. Daycares are going by the governors executive order on the definition of essential versus nonessential.

My point was just that the posts here seem to indicate that many providers are goi g with narrower definitions than what is described in the executive orders. Federal employees were the main example. Feds are explicitly listed in the section on essential employees. And certainly federal agencies are covered by phase 1 reopening. If daycares are turning away feds, then they haven't read the executive orders.

But not feds who are teleworking full time, right? My daycare said it was only those who couldn’t telework full time.

Wrong. That's one area where Assistant Superintendent Steven Hicks has been quite clear to me. The Division of Early Childhood makes no distinction between teleworking and on-site employees. He thinks they've been clear on this, although I tend to agree the new FAQ is confusing on this point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem is that many interpreted “government employees” as ONLY those who physically need to report into the office, not those who are still required to work, but able to work from home.

Perhaps, although I'll note I just received an email from the Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of Early Childhood Development, Steven Hicks. In it he said:

I am sorry that it was not clear to you that all workers, regardless of whether they are teleworking or on-site at their businesses, are eligible to access child care. We have not had this misunderstanding from any other parents, but do want to make sure you are aware that teleworking parents that meet the criteria, as described in our FAQs, are eligible to access child care.

(emphasis his)

It seems pretty clear to me. I don't understand why they're being so vague in their FAQs on this subject.

Are you also a daycare provider? If so hello! Just so the parents on this forum know, we have been giving such little guidance on certain areas and mountains of guidelines and regulations in other areas. I know for a fact that there was widespread confusion about teleworking and who had access to daycare. Some providers were only excepting kids if their families were physically Going to work whereas others were excepting parents if they were teleworking.
I also don’t understand why they’re being so vague about so many questions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Daycares fall under the Maryland Department of Education so changes come from the state level. Since we are in phase 2 that means that daycares in Maryland will accept the children of essential employees, nonessential employees returning under phase 1 and nonessential employees returning to work for phase 2. the exceptions are Montgomery county, PG and I believe Baltimore (although I’m not sure if Prince Georges or Baltimore have the same restrictions that Montgomery county has). In montgomery County we are still only under phase 1 which means technically we may only watch essential children and children to phase 1 employees. This was not made clear to daycares so that may be why you have phase 1 and phase 2 employees back in care in Montgomery county. Also, only one parent must fit into that category in order for a child to qualify to return.

Since it sounds like you're a child care provider, I wanted to point out that federal employees *are* phase 1 employees. They're plausibly even essential employees, but there's little question that federal agencies are allowed to operate during phase 1.

Yes I am a provider. I didn’t realize that I addressed several employees, my apologies if I confused anybody. In general a lot of people were confused on what essential employees versus nonessential employees meant. Daycares are going by the governors executive order on the definition of essential versus nonessential.

My point was just that the posts here seem to indicate that many providers are goi g with narrower definitions than what is described in the executive orders. Federal employees were the main example. Feds are explicitly listed in the section on essential employees. And certainly federal agencies are covered by phase 1 reopening. If daycares are turning away feds, then they haven't read the executive orders.

But not feds who are teleworking full time, right? My daycare said it was only those who couldn’t telework full time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem is that many interpreted “government employees” as ONLY those who physically need to report into the office, not those who are still required to work, but able to work from home.

Perhaps, although I'll note I just received an email from the Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of Early Childhood Development, Steven Hicks. In it he said:

I am sorry that it was not clear to you that all workers, regardless of whether they are teleworking or on-site at their businesses, are eligible to access child care. We have not had this misunderstanding from any other parents, but do want to make sure you are aware that teleworking parents that meet the criteria, as described in our FAQs, are eligible to access child care.

(emphasis his)

It seems pretty clear to me. I don't understand why they're being so vague in their FAQs on this subject.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem is that many interpreted “government employees” as ONLY those who physically need to report into the office, not those who are still required to work, but able to work from home.

Perhaps, although I'll note I just received an email from the Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of Early Childhood Development, Steven Hicks. In it he said:

I am sorry that it was not clear to you that all workers, regardless of whether they are teleworking or on-site at their businesses, are eligible to access child care. We have not had this misunderstanding from any other parents, but do want to make sure you are aware that teleworking parents that meet the criteria, as described in our FAQs, are eligible to access child care.

(emphasis his)

It seems pretty clear to me. I don't understand why they're being so vague in their FAQs on this subject.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Daycares fall under the Maryland Department of Education so changes come from the state level. Since we are in phase 2 that means that daycares in Maryland will accept the children of essential employees, nonessential employees returning under phase 1 and nonessential employees returning to work for phase 2. the exceptions are Montgomery county, PG and I believe Baltimore (although I’m not sure if Prince Georges or Baltimore have the same restrictions that Montgomery county has). In montgomery County we are still only under phase 1 which means technically we may only watch essential children and children to phase 1 employees. This was not made clear to daycares so that may be why you have phase 1 and phase 2 employees back in care in Montgomery county. Also, only one parent must fit into that category in order for a child to qualify to return.

Since it sounds like you're a child care provider, I wanted to point out that federal employees *are* phase 1 employees. They're plausibly even essential employees, but there's little question that federal agencies are allowed to operate during phase 1.

Yes I am a provider. I didn’t realize that I addressed several employees, my apologies if I confused anybody. In general a lot of people were confused on what essential employees versus nonessential employees meant. Daycares are going by the governors executive order on the definition of essential versus nonessential.

My point was just that the posts here seem to indicate that many providers are goi g with narrower definitions than what is described in the executive orders. Federal employees were the main example. Feds are explicitly listed in the section on essential employees. And certainly federal agencies are covered by phase 1 reopening. If daycares are turning away feds, then they haven't read the executive orders.

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem is that many interpreted “government employees” as ONLY those who physically need to report into the office, not those who are still required to work, but able to work from home.

I am sorry that it was not clear to you that all workers, regardless of whether they are teleworking or on-site at their businesses, are eligible to access child care. We have not had this misunderstanding from any other parents, but do want to make sure you are aware that teleworking parents that meet the criteria, as described in our FAQs, are eligible to access child care.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Daycares fall under the Maryland Department of Education so changes come from the state level. Since we are in phase 2 that means that daycares in Maryland will accept the children of essential employees, nonessential employees returning under phase 1 and nonessential employees returning to work for phase 2. the exceptions are Montgomery county, PG and I believe Baltimore (although I’m not sure if Prince Georges or Baltimore have the same restrictions that Montgomery county has). In montgomery County we are still only under phase 1 which means technically we may only watch essential children and children to phase 1 employees. This was not made clear to daycares so that may be why you have phase 1 and phase 2 employees back in care in Montgomery county. Also, only one parent must fit into that category in order for a child to qualify to return.

Since it sounds like you're a child care provider, I wanted to point out that federal employees *are* phase 1 employees. They're plausibly even essential employees, but there's little question that federal agencies are allowed to operate during phase 1.

Yes I am a provider. I didn’t realize that I addressed several employees, my apologies if I confused anybody. In general a lot of people were confused on what essential employees versus nonessential employees meant. Daycares are going by the governors executive order on the definition of essential versus nonessential.

My point was just that the posts here seem to indicate that many providers are goi g with narrower definitions than what is described in the executive orders. Federal employees were the main example. Feds are explicitly listed in the section on essential employees. And certainly federal agencies are covered by phase 1 reopening. If daycares are turning away feds, then they haven't read the executive orders.

Would you mind linking to where federal employees return under phase 1. The list I have goes by specific profession not “federal”.

NP. It’s in the executive order. I’m at an agency that can’t telework at all, and they gave us letters to give to childcare facilities, saying we qualify for EPCC services.

That would’ve made you an essential employee under the original executive order. I’m specifically asking about the poster who said that all federal employees return to work qualify for phase 1. I just read through the executive order but I’ve missed it. Believe me when I say that if it is allowed under phase 1 there are many daycare providers who would love to take their old clients back.