State provides guidance on reopening child care facilities as Phase 2 begins to roll out

BOSTON — Many child care facilities big and small have remained closed across the Commonwealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, the state gave some updated guidance on how to welcome back families.

“I am very, very glad that they at least decided that family child care were not bound by some of those restrictions,” said Sara Salzberg of Sara’s Playgroup, Brighton.

The Department of Early Education and Child Care updated its guidelines for child care facilities to re-open.

Among the revisions are:

Temperature checks will no longer be needed for people entering the facility
Home day care providers can take children to public playgrounds, as long as a parent or guardian gives written permission
Also, the state issued an update to child/staff ratios depending on age

“It makes me feel a little more relaxed about opening," said Salzberg. “However, there are still some concerns. I still think that it’s going to be almost impossible to keep young children apart.”

For Tracy Kitner, her Tiny Tots Daycare in Westford has been in business for more than 25 years. She's hoping to start up again soon.

“The children’s social and emotional well-being is so important and some of the guidelines they’re coming out with [state] we have to keep the kids six feet apart [from each other] and they can’t play with the same toy - ever - and they have to not share or eat lunch together, it’s sad to me,” said Kitner.

Dena Freedman has trusted "Sara's Playgroup" daycare in Brighton for all three of her children.

“I feel totally confident in her ability to keep them safe and happy and have a good time to be kids,” said Freedman.

Even though child care was listed as part of Phase 2 which started Monday, June 8th, all are finding out it’s not so simple.

"The kids will be ok," said Kitner. “I think kids are more resilient but I do think they will be ok but if it has to go on long term, it’s definitely going to be detrimental to them socially."

The state will begin accepting re-opening plans from providers starting the week of June 15. The spokeswoman with the EEC told Boston 25 that providers will receive conditional approval to open pretty quickly once plans are submitted to the department. A chart breaking down the timeline of that process can be found here.