Important Message from the
Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County
The following message is from Palm Beach County Health Department -- Child Care Licensing.
Good morning Child Care Provider,

This update is to inform you that Governor’s Executive Order Number 20-131 authorizes organized youth activities including child care and the restrictions on childcare facilities included in Palm Beach County Emergency Order 2020-002a were repealed by Palm Beach County Emergency Order 009 executed on May 22, 2020.

However, the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County strongly recommends that all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines are followed by programs that choose to operate.

To assist in the critical decisions, attached you will find the Child Care Decision Tree  and Camps Decision Tree provided by the CDC. Please use these to access and review guidelines on screening children and staff, healthy hygiene practices, cleaning & sanitizing, social distancing, etc.
Detailed CDC guidance for the operation of Child Care Facilities and Youth and Summer Camps can be found here:

  1. CDC Considerations for Youth and Summer Camps
  2. CDC Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open

Additionally, it is important to note that the CDC guidance still recommends implementing social distancing strategies. The following guidance from the CDC, which can be found here , explains what social distancing means.
What is social distancing?
Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social or physical distancing:

  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people
  • Do not gather in groups
  • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings

In addition to everyday steps to prevent COVID-19, keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to this virus and slowing its spread locally and across the country and world.”

Stay informed about COVID-19 with information available at:   
                                            
  1. CDC - COVID-19 Information
  2. DCF Covid-19 Information - Child Care Services
  3. Palm Beach County Orders
  4. Florida 2020 Executive Orders

Additional Helpful Resources:

  1. CDC Previously Recorded Call Regarding Camps and Youth Programs
  2. CDC Previously Recorded Call Regarding Workplaces and Youth Sports
  3. List of EPA-approved disinfectants for use against the virus that causes COVID-19

As always, Child Care providers are encouraged to reach out to myself or anyone in the Child Care team with questions or updates.

Alternatively, inquiries, incident reports, and updates regarding program operational status can be e-mailed to PBChildcare@flhealth.gov .

Holly Strawser, MBA, Environmental Manager
Division of Environmental Public Health
Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County
800 Clematis Street, 4 th Floor
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Direct: (561) 837-5976
Main: (561) 837-5942
Fax: (561) 837-5084
CDC Child Care Decision Tree
Summer Camp Decision Tree