Childcare Orders Rescinded

New Haven childcare centers serving more than 12 kids may now reopen starting June 20, while following some rules set by the state.

Mayor Justin Elicker made that announcement Thursday afternoon.

He rescinded two executive orders from March that had closed the centers (except those serving children of first responders) in order to stem the spread of Covid 19.

Elicker made the announcement in a press release, the text of which follows:

Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced that he has rescinded Emergency Order No. 1 Regarding Child Care Centers in the City of New Haven issued on March 16th as well as Emergency Order No. 3 Regarding Child Care for Children of First Responders in the City of New Haven issued on March 19th. The recission goes into effect on June 20, 2020, at 12:01 AM.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement on the recission:
​“Governor Lamont’s emergency order regarding childcare includes certain requirements and provides a framework to help keep children, care providers, and families safe. Given these requirements and to balance the need for people who are going to work to have adequate care for their children, I have decided to rescind my childcare order. Under the Governor’s order, childcare providers are still required to limit group sizes, implement enhanced cleaning practices, monitor illness, and other steps. We also strongly urge childcare providers to have themselves tested at one of the testing sites in New Haven, and encourage families to do the same. I want to take a moment to thank NH ChILD and the Early Childhood Council for co-hosting the provider listening sessions that took place on May 21st and May 23rd. I would also like to thank the many providers that shared their concerns regarding the reopening process. Over the next few weeks, we will be hosting two additional webinars with providers that have been open since March to gauge best practices and learn how to best protect our childcare children and staff when centers reopen. I appreciate everyone that has been able to collaborate with the City on our reopening efforts and am confident that though we have a challenging road ahead of us, we will continue to get through this together.”

Mayor Elicker’s March 16 order closed childcare centers serving more than 12 children, with exceptions for centers providing care for first responders. Governor Lamont’s March 30 order included limitations on childcare providers but was not as restrictive. To view Recission of Emergency Order No.1 and Emergency Order No. 3 Regarding Child Care Centers in the City of New Haven, follow this link: https://bit.ly/6420Recission

Guidance from the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood can be accessed here, and is written below:

On March 30, 2020, Governor Ned Lamont issued Executive Order NO. 7Q, which includes provisions limiting group sizes in child care programs and enhancing health procedures. These provisions have been put in place to ensure child care operations that are ongoing during the COVID-19 emergency implement procedures that help limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of children and staff.

Effective immediately, and for the period of the declared state of emergency, the following requirements are in place for all child care operations including but not limited to child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, youth camps, and child care facilities that are exempt from licensing requirements pursuant to Section 19a-77 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

• Group sizes are limited to no more than ten children in one space.
• Any child care program caring for more than thirty children in one facility must obtain approval from the OEC and demonstrate sufficient separation of groups within the facility. An application for approval will be available on the OEC website.
• All children and child care staff must be checked prior to entering the program for any observable illness, including cough or respiratory distress, and to confirm temperature below one hundred degrees Fahrenheit.
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices shall be implemented.
• All staff and children must adhere to regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as follows:
• Before coming in contact with any child
• Before and after eating o After sneezing, coughing or nose blowing
• After using the restroom o Before handling food o After touching or cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated
• After using any shared equipment like toys, computer keyboards, mouse
• If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based sanitizer shall be used. Adults should always supervise the use of alcohol-based sanitizers. Likewise, all handwashing activities must be supervised by adults to verify that children are properly washing their hands for 20 seconds.
• All staff must cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the corner of the elbow. All staff must also encourage children, when appropriate, to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the corner of the elbow. All soiled tissues must be dispensed immediately after each use.