We are sending the following on behalf of the Office of Early Learning. Questions should be directed to  tina.shockley@doe.k12.de.us .

Delaware Stars is not able to provide any additional information or answer questions.

Dear Early Learning Provider:
 
In an effort to keep you updated on the latest information available, please find the following email that was sent to EMERGENCY CHILD CARE SITES ONLY. 
 
If you have any questions related to this email or the attachments, please direct them to the Office of Child Care Licensing.
 
Thank you,
Office of Early Learning
 
Dear Child Care Provider, 

Thank you for providing a critical resource to essential families across our state. As this global pandemic has persisted, you have risen to the challenges and provided important care for those in need. 

Child care plays an important role in the re-opening of our state so we wanted to share information regarding Governor John Carney’s recent announcement to help you prepare and plan. 
 
On Tuesday, Governor Carney announced a series of interim steps allowing small businesses to resume limited operations, effective 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8. The announcement is included here.

These steps slowly expand the pool of open businesses. For example: 
  • Small business retailers will be allowed to do business using curbside pickup as long as social distancing can be maintained. These retailers include:
  • Clothing stores
  • Shoe stores
  • Sporting goods, hobby, musical instruments
  • Book, periodical, music stores
  • Department stores (not inside a mall)
  • Tobacco and Vape
  • Other general merchandise
  • Office supply, stationery, and gift stores
  • Used merchandise stores
  • Consumer goods rental
  • Jewelry stores may do business by appointment only, and the Governor has instructed the Division of Small Business to consider additional changes like this for other similar retailers.
  • Cosmetology: Hair cutting services only are permitted to be offered, and only to workers at essential businesses. 
  • Other:
  • Golf carts allowed at courses for 1 rider at a time with proper cleaning between customers
  • Drive thru movies are permitted, but patrons must remain inside vehicles and social distancing must be maintained at all times.
 
Under the Governor’s announcement, these identified small business retail workers  may be eligible for emergency child care.  Please see the revised DSCYF Emergency Child Care Requirements to reflect the Governor’s May 5, 2020 announcement included in the following links.



The forms are also available online:


In order to access emergency child care, both parents must be employees of either an essential or open business who cannot work from home and do not have alternative child care. 
 If employees have additional options for childcare, such as family member, they should use those options.   Per the DSCYF Emergency Child Care Requirements, all families utilizing emergency child care must confirm that they are either essential personnel or employed at an open business and cannot work from home. If needed, a revised personnel certification form is attached to this email. Families seeking temporary emergency child care during this time must fill out DSCYF temporary enrollment forms. All forms are available online here:    https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/child-care/.


Please keep in mind that the revised DSCYF requirements for Emergency Child Care Sites include information on the cloth face covering requirement and other guidelines for class sizes and screening protocol, among other topics. You can view the requirements online here:  https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/child-care/. 

We will keep you updated throughout this process. Please feel free to reach out to your OCCL Licensing Specialist with any questions.