January 14 Child Care Provider Updates During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) will send updates to everyone who has subscribed to the DCF Child Care listserv. Updated Isolation and Quarantine Period Recommendations for Child Care Settings DCF, in consultation with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), has updated isolation period recommendations for COVID-19 for child care settings based on new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for the general public. This guidance is subject to change as additional information from CDC on preventing and managing COVID-19 in child care settings is released. Under these recommendations, individuals who work in or attend a child care setting and test positive for COVID-19 should: Child Care Staff Stay home for 5 days and isolate from others in your home. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. End isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. If you did NOT have symptoms end isolation after at least 5 full days after your positive test. Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Children in Care Stay home for 5 days and isolate from others in your home. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. End isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. If you did NOT have symptoms end isolation after at least 5 full days after your positive test. Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Children who cannot wear a mask due to age (e.g., 0-2 years) or ability, or are unable to socially distance during meal and nap times should isolate for 10 days. Individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 should follow CDC’s quarantine guidance based on their vaccine status and symptoms. Children who cannot wear a mask due to age (e.g., 0-2 years) or ability, or are unable to socially distance during meal and nap times should quarantine for 10 days. For assistance in determining the length of isolation or quarantine, please use the decision tree in our COVID-19: When a Child or Staff Member Can Return to Care. Notification of Positive Case Child care programs that have a positive case, staff and/or child, are required to report the case to their local health department and licensing specialist. Prevention Strategies DCF urges child care providers and the families they serve to participate in and support multiple mitigation strategies to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep children safe: Require masks inside the child care setting. Well-fitting, multi-layered masks have been shown to restrict respiratory droplet spread, helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Implement additional health and safety measures. Performing health screenings at entry, staggering arrival and pick-up times, and limiting access to programs and facilities can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Information on prevention measures specific to child care settings is available in DHS’ Guidelines for the Prevention, Investigation, and Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Child Care Settings. This document is being updated to align with new isolation and quarantine guidance For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage.
