Expressive Beginnings Child Care has implemented the following procedures to comply with the CDC guidance for child care centers related to COVID-19 and to keep our children, teachers and families as healthy as possible: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-childcare-guidance.html

The following guidance explains procedures for when someone in our center is exposed to COVID-19 through a close contact or test positive for the virus. The following protocols pertain to Expressive Beginnings staff, volunteers, service providers and children.

If a child or staff exhibits symptoms:

• Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should stay out of the child care program for 5 days OR until they receive a negative COVID-19 test (whichever is first). Before returning to program, symptoms should be improving and you should be fever-free for at least 24 hours;
• Anyone who comes to the child care program with symptoms or who develops symptoms while at the program will be sent home and encouraged to get tested. Symptomatic children or staff who are able to wear a mask should do so while at the program. If possible, children with symptoms who cannot wear a mask should be separated from others and provided supervision while waiting to leave the program;

If a child or staff tests positive:

• Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should remain isolated at home for a period of at least 5 days and symptoms must be improving and be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to the child care program;
• A negative COVID test will be required on day 5 before returning to the child care program;
• Anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 and is returning to program between days 5 and 10 should wear a well-fitting mask, up through day 10, OR may remove their mask following two negative COVID tests taken 48 hours apart. Children who are unable to wear a mask may still return to the child care program if they do not have symptoms;

If a child or staff is exposed to someone that tests positive:

• Children who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 (this means when they were within six feet of someone with COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period) should wear a mask for 10 days whenever feasible. If they do not have symptoms, they do not need to quarantine and can attend the child care program.
• Children who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 are encouraged to test on day 5 after exposure.
• Staff who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 (this means when they were within six feet of someone with COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period) must wear a KN-95 mask for 10 days whenever feasible. If they do not have symptoms, they do not need to quarantine and can attend the child care program;
• Staff who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 must test on day 5 after exposure.
• Anyone that has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 must monitor for symptoms and will not be permitted to attend if any symptoms are present;