Haggard Childcare Resources COVID Policies (Updated 12/22/2023)
Vaccinations:
All HCR employees are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated. Receiving the new COVID vaccine, released (9/2023), constitutes vaccination.
At this time, children are encouraged, but not required to be vaccinated.
Masking:
Upon return from the winter closure, all staff, families, and children (+2 years) are highly encouraged to mask for one week following the closure.
Masks are no longer required in HCR schools. However, if the situation warrants, all children +2 years are still encouraged to wear masks except to eat/drink and at nap time while inside; masks are not required outside.
As a modification, HCR is now requiring masking for all adults for 10 days after a confirmed exposure to COVID-19. Masking will continue to be encouraged for all children following an exposure, but not required.
Triggers to Return to Mandatory Masking: HCR schools will work to be thoughtful in determining a return to masking. This will be dependent on the situation within each school, within the community, and through guidance from Public Health Seattle-King County. The below are our intended triggers:
COVID-19 hospital admission levels in King County reaches "Medium", per the CDC. Masks would remain mandatory until the level returns to “Low” (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_new-admissions-rate-county)
COVID cases within the school constitutes an “outbreak” The school reaches five COVID cases over a 14-Day period. Masking would remain mandatory until 10 days after the date of last exposure.
*Classroom staff will mask in accordance with the CDC and WA DOH guidance if there is a single confirmed case in the classroom. All children will be encouraged to mask, if age and developmentally appropriate.
Positive COVID Cases:
Children of all age groups who test positive for COVID may return to care after 5 full days of isolation (on or after Day 6) if these four qualifiers are met:
Their symptoms have improved or they are asymptomatic.
They are without a fever for the past 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications.
Test negative with an antigen or at-home test any day after Day 5 (Though not strictly in line with the DOH guidance, it is a DOH recommendation and we are adopting this due to the removal of masks during meals and naps).
Wear a well-fitted mask through Day 10.
If the above qualifiers are NOT met, an individual must remain excluded from care for 10 days of isolation. Infants, Toddlers under 2 years, and Preschooler would are not able to consistently wear a mask throughout the day would be excluded through Day 10.
A staff member may return to school after a COVID infection in line with CDC guidance.
Close Contact Exposure
All staff members will mask for the 10-day period following an exposure in or out of the classroom.
All families will mask for the 10-day period, if entering the classroom.
All children are encouraged to mask for the 10-day period following an exposure, if age and developmentally appropriate. We understand Infants and Toddlers under 2 years will not be masking during this time.
All staff and children will test:
Before returning to care, following notification of exposure (Day 1)
Three to five days following exposure (Day 3-5)
*Negative test results do not need to be reported.
**While the FDA has not approved or authorized at-home COVID tests on children under age 2, WA DOH has issued guidance the tests can be safely used. However, these can only be administered by a parent.
Exclusion for Symptoms:
All children and staff, regardless of vaccination status, will be excluded from the school for any COVID-related symptom, even if mild. The individual may return with a negative test (PCR, antigen, etc.) if symptoms are improving, and they have been +24 hours fever free and without fever-reducing medication.
If one child is sent home with symptoms, an asymptomatic unvaccinated sibling may stay in care until either they develop symptoms and/or the child is deemed a close contact of a confirmed case.
Travel Policy:
HCR defers to the CDC for travel guidance. Any changes to CDC travel guidance are effective immediately for all HCR staff and children.