COVID Update: Child Care

Arlington Child Care Services will not suspend or mandate licensed programs to close in lieu of state-issued directives. Any decisions regarding child care program closures will be provided from the state level. Currently, child care programs have not been advised to closed. Programs are expected to remain open and to prioritize child care availability for essential personnel.

Child care contracts and payment arrangements are handled by the child care program directly and are not regulated by the licensing entity. Parents should be advised to review their contract and/or the program’s policies regarding child absences and payment options. Talk to your provider to explore options.

Child care programs shall be operating in accordance to the guidance issued by the Governor. If they are not in compliance, you may contact the Child Care Supervisor, Erika Gibson, at 703-228-1680 to file a complaint.

Child care programs may continue to operate; however, parents should monitor their child’s well-being and keep sick children home. Parents are encouraged to use their best judgement with regard to child care.

Based on guidance from VDSS, each group must be limited to a maximum of 10 people, including children and staff. This is applicable specifically for areas where children are being cared for. Family members may be present in the home in areas that are separate from the children, in which case they will not be included in the 10-person capacity requirement.

Programs will need to adjust their child care environments to adhere to social distancing of children. Some recommendations include:

• Rearrange room(s) to promote individual play
• Limit the group size (reducing the number of children in care)
• Avoid mixing groups of children (separate by age)
• Avoid group activities
• Set up individual play stations/activities
• Attempt to provide each child with their own toy and refrain from sharing
• Discontinue activities that require close contact or touching

Parents should be encouraged to drop their child at the door with a staff member and not enter the home or center to reduce the potential of spread of germs/communicable illnesses.

Child care programs should encourage families who are home to keep their children home with them and prioritize slots for essential personnel provided they can do so in compliance with group size, social distancing, and other requirements.

Enrollment documentation requires parents to document their place of employment. Also, programs can ask parents for employment verification documentation.