from the Office of Early Learning:
Dear Early Learning Provider,
Thank you for all you do for our children and families. We cannot take on COVID-19 without the work you do.
Today, Governor Carney issued a revision to the State of Emergency to address child care. As of April 6, child care facilities may only serve children of personnel at essential businesses. Centers and family child care will also be required to follow stricter requirements from the state's Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) developed in consultation with the Division of Public Health. All child care facilities that choose not to serve children of essential personnel or who cannot meet stricter requirements are directed to close.
Programs that become Emergency Child Care Sites, continuing to serve the children of essential personnel who cannot work from home, will continue to receive Purchase of Care and tiered reimbursement based on February enrollment at the normal rate of pay. Private centers may also continue to receive their private pay. Each Emergency Child Care Site will also receive an
“Enhanced Reimbursement” to provide additional pay to staff and purchase additional cleaning supplies, safety equipment, and/or staff training during this pandemic.
As this heath crisis changes from day to day, we know that the needs of children and families will change.
We are requesting that all programs that are able to provide these services apply today.
Click
here for "Child Care Guidance for Providers."
Thank you all for your continued support during these uncertain times. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at
early.learning@doe.k12.de.us
.
Thank you,
Kimberly Krzanowski
Executive Director
Department of Education, Office of Early Learning
