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Child Care Centers
Support for Child Care Leaders and Staff during COVID-19
Our Child Care Task Force is working with child care programs in Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties to provide COVID-19 support and resources. Email us at EHChildcare@tchd.org for questions regarding child care programs and continue to refer back to this page for updated information.
Vaccines
On January 29, Governor Polis announced the updated Colorado vaccine distribution plan which includes PreK-12 educators, child care workers in licensed child care programs, and people age 65-69 in phase 1B.2 of the plan. These groups will be eligible to sign-up for the vaccine beginning February 8. There are limited doses of vaccine coming to Colorado for now. We are still working our way through previous groups and it will take time before your vaccine is ready and it is your turn.
Prepare Your Center for Your Turn
Our vaccine team is working to identify vaccine providers who will be offering appointments for childcare workers.
- Find the latest information on where and when to get the vaccine on our COVID-19 vaccine webpage. You can also sign up for the COVID-19 Update newsletter to get the latest information.
- Provide employees with proof of employment such as a badge, pay stub, letter, etc.
- Staff will need to self-schedule with vaccine providers. Find the updated provider lists on our COVID-19 vaccine webpage.
Watch Recorded Webinars
All recorded webinars and slides on our School Support webpage. These are school-specific highlighting important topics related to COVID-19 response efforts.
Update Your Illness Policies
Include the What to Do About COVID-19 in your Child Care guidance to ensure that your facility is ready to respond. This will be important if you have a COVID-19 positive individual or if a child or teacher is associated with someone outside your facility that is ill.
Continue to refer to the Cases and Outbreak Guidance in Child Care and Schools to help guide decisions regarding COVID-19.
Illnesses at Your Facility
Use an illness log to help keep track of sick people and their symptoms.
If you have a case or suspect an outbreak is occurring at your facility, contact us at EHChildcare@tchd.org. Provide the name of your center, the person to contact to discuss further, and a brief description of your situation. Please do not include specific names or other identifying information in your description.
Child Care FAQs and Guidance During COVID-19
- Frequently Asked Questions for Child Care Operations FAQs, TCHD
- COVID-19 Cleaners, EPA
- Before buying, email EHChildcare@tchd.org since some cleaners listed would be allowed for use in child care
- Types of Face Masks, CDC
- Face Covering Guidance | Spanish, CDPHE
- Consultants or In-Person Visits, Office of Early Childhood
- HVAC Systems Video, Boulder County PAC
- HVAC Guidance, CDPHE
- Wildfires, CDPHE
- Cleaning Playgrounds CDC
Other Partner Resources During COVID-19
- A Resource Guide For Child Care Providers During COVID-19, CDHS
- Child Care Programs That Remain Open, CDC
- Schools, workplaces, and community, CDPHE
- Learning Pods, Office of Early Childhood
- Colorado Office of Early Childhood COVID-19 FAQs, CDHS
- Register your program's status, Colorado Shines
- Emergency Feeding, Colorado Department of Education
Signs to Download, Republish, and Share
These are signs for you to use at your child care facility.
Regulations
The current Regulations Governing the Health and Sanitation of Childcare Facilities went into effect on January 14, 2016.
Online Regulation Training
General Inspection Information
Our Environmental Health staff inspects child care centers every 1-2 years, depending on the program. During health inspections, we ensure minimum health regulations are met and provide educational information. This helps to ensure children have a healthy environment to learn and grow in.
Tri-County Health Department does not license child care facilities. However, a passing health inspection is required by the Office of Early Childhood Colorado Department of Human Services in order for a child care to receive a license from Human Services or to remain in good standing.
Health inspections are public record and can be accessed on our Health Inspections webpage.
Routine Inspections During COVID-19
Routine inspections were put on hold during early COVID-19 response efforts. Our staff is reaching out to facilities to set up inspections virtually. We are working through our backlog of individuals as quickly as we can. If your last inspection was greater than 2 years ago, email EHChildcare@tchd.org. Here are some links to help you prepare for your inspection:
Room Addition and Room Change Inspections
Contact EHChildcare@tchd.org if you plan on opening new room(s) for your existing program, changing from old rooms to new rooms, or adding an additional room. These inspections are being done remotely unless major issues or concerns are identified.
Submit Plans Before Any Construction Begins for New Buildings and Remodeled Facilities
All new programs must submit the Child Care Plan Review Packet. The plan review packet for new construction or remodeling must be completed and submitted to this department for approval before any construction begins. Programs must pay all fees associated with the review and inspections.
- Child Care Plan Review Packet for Remodels and New Builds
- CDPHE Approval of New and Relocated Child Care Operations during COVID-19 | Spanish
- EPA Lead Inspection
- EPA Asbestos Inspection
Opening Inspections
Once construction is complete, email EHChildcare@tchd.org to schedule an opening inspection. The number of inspectors and their availability is limited. Plan ahead by providing plenty of time to get an opening inspection scheduled and completed. Opening inspections for newly constructed/ remodeled buildings are being done remotely unless major issues or concerns are identified. Our Environmental Health team must give approval before Human Services will issue a license.
Room Addition and Room Change Inspections
Email EHChildcare@tchd.org if you plan on opening new room(s) for your existing program, changing from old rooms to new rooms, or adding an additional room. These inspections are being done remotely unless major issues or concerns are identified.
Disease Prevention and Illness Policies
Illness policies are required by regulations. These policies are in place to protect students and staff from the spread of illness.
Outbreak
Always keep track of illnesses on a log for both children and staff. Tracking illnesses before an outbreak occurs helps caregivers to see when a jump in numbers could indicate an outbreak. Contact Tri-County Health Department immediately to help control the spread of illness.
Other important disease prevention resources
Using Sanitizers and Disinfectants
Sanitizers | Disinfectants |
---|---|
Used on food contact surfaces, toys, and other commonly handled items, such as doorknobs | Used in restrooms, on diaper changing tables, and to disinfect areas contaminated by bodily fluids. |
- Find More Information about Your Sanitizer / Disinfectant
- Concentration and Cleaning Schedules
Bleach as a sanitizer and disinfectant
Follow the mixing instructions for your brand of bleach. Bleach that has a lower percentage of hypochlorite will need more bleach while mixing with water than one that has a higher percentage.
- Test each mixture daily.
- Bleach sanitizer concentration should be 50-200ppm.
- Bleach disinfectant concentration will vary depending on which brand of bleach you use. Read the label to determine the right amount.
- How to Mix Bleach Sanitizers & Disinfectants
- Calculator: Amount of Bleach to Add to Water
Required Radon Testing in Child Care Centers
Radon testing is required for all new and existing child care centers. As uranium breaks down naturally in our soils, it releases a gas we call radon. This gas enters buildings through cracks in the foundation. Radon gas causes cancer and it is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. It can only be detected through testing.
Animals in Child Care
Find out what animals are not allowed in your child care center and what is required for animals that visit your child care center.
Poisonous & Toxic Materials
Variance Requests
If meeting minimum health and sanitation requirements presents an undue hardship on the person, facility, or the community, then you may request a deviation from the Health Regulations.
For hatching chicks or for portable hand sinks, fill out these additional forms: