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Dear Child Care Partners,
This month’s email from the Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) Child Care Health Program (CCHP) includes the following topics:
Health & Safety Information for Child Care Providers
Information to Share with Staff & Families
Continuing Education & Financial Opportunities
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Health & Safety Information for Child Care Providers |
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'Tis the Season for Norovirus
Did you know most outbreaks of norovirus occur between November and April? PHSKC recently published a blog article about norovirus which has helpful information about symptoms, prevention, how norovirus spreads, and a reminder of what needs to be reported to PHSKC.
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How does norovirus spread?
Norovirus spreads easily. While it is not fun to think about, the most common way norovirus spreads is through “fecal-oral transmission.” This happens when the virus in the stool (poop) of one person gets into the mouth of and is swallowed by another person. For example, when someone who has norovirus does not wash their hands well enough to remove the virus after using the restroom, they can accidentally transfer the virus to objects or food. Another person can get sick by either eating the food that has the virus in it or by touching the object that has the virus on it, not washing hands, and then putting their hands in their mouth.
There are billions of virus particles in the vomit and diarrhea of a person with norovirus, but it only takes a few virus particles to make people sick and the virus can live on a surface for weeks.
To reduce the chances of norovirus spreading in child care and early learning programs, it is particularly important to:
- Have staff wash their hands thoroughly after using the restroom, changing diapers, or helping children use the toilet to physically remove germs from hands.
- Limit items in the diaper changing area so there are fewer places for germs to land.
- Make sure any surface or object in the diaper changing or toileting area can be easily cleaned and disinfected.
- Use the 3-Step Method to clean, rinse, and either sanitize or disinfect objects and surfaces to reduce or kills germs so they can’t spread and make other people sick.
- Make sure anyone preparing food for the program washes hands before handling food. Use gloves, utensils, and tongs to serve food.
- Assist and supervise children when they wash hands after using the restroom and before eating.
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When do children need to stay home from child care and early learning programs? If they have:
- Diarrhea: 2 or more loose or watery stools more than normal for the child in a 24-hour period.
- Stool that leaks out of a diaper or causes toilet-trained children to not get to the toilet on time.
- Any blood or mucus in the stool.
- Vomit: 2 or more times in 24 hours.
- A fever (temperature of 100.4⁰F [38ºC] or higher) along with the other norovirus symptoms above.
- Actions showing they do not feel well enough to participate in classroom activities (for example: unusually tired; cranky or fussy; or crying more than normal).
- Signs of dehydration, including fewer wet diapers or less urine than usual, fewer tears, acting more tired than normal, dizziness, or dry tongue or lips. They should see a healthcare provider if they have these symptoms.
The Child Care Health Program recommends staff follow the same exclusion criteria as children.
Is norovirus reportable?
You don’t need to report individual cases of norovirus to the PHSKC Communicable Disease Program (CDP), but outbreaks of norovirus or other gastrointestinal illnesses are reportable.
An outbreak of norovirus or a noro-like illness is defined as: 2 or more children or staff with similar gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps) starting within a 48-hour period that can’t be explained by other reasons (like medications, food allergies, or changes in diet).
If a program has an outbreak, PHSKC CDP may advise programs to follow stricter exclusion guidelines than the WAC. For example, they may require children and staff who are sick or recovering to stay home until at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
If you suspect your program has an outbreak, start following PHSKC’s Norovirus (or Noro-list Illness) Outbreak Management Checklist for Child Care and Early Learning Programs immediately. Programs can report by calling at 206-296-4774.
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Help the CCHP Improve Our Services – Take Our Survey!
If you are an early learning educator or administrator who has used CCHP services, website, or resources (including this newsletter), we want to hear from you! There will be a drawing for several participants to receive gift cards in appreciation for taking the survey.
The 10-minute survey is being conducted by the Institute for Child Success. It is available in English, Spanish, and Somali and all responses are anonymous.
To take the survey:
- point your cell phone or tablet camera at the QR code below and click the link that appears:
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Bleach Reminders
In May of 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) updated its bleach and water mixing chart, so if your child care or early learning program uses bleach for sanitizing and disinfecting, remember that the disinfecting solution must now be at about 1000 parts per million (ppm). The sanitizing solution concentration has not changed.
On our cleaning and bleach webpage, you will find:
- Our document on How to Mix Bleach Solutions about what to look for on bleach bottle labels, instructions and required equipment for mixing bleach correctly and safely, and proper storage requirements.
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Information to Share with Staff & Families |
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What to do if Immigration Comes to Your Child Care or Early Learning Program
Employers have rights when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) goes to a business, according to the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). ICE agents do not always have a right to enter your business, stop or arrest workers, or take documents. You can review this guide (also available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Thai) on what you, as a program, can do to prepare, employers’ rights and responsibilities, and what employers can do after an ICE action. You can find this guide and other resources on the NILC website.
Safety Plan for Children of Immigrants
The Legal Counsel for Youth and Children lists many resources to inform and assist immigrant youth and families. Their Immigrant Safety Plan, available in English and Spanish, can help parents plan for the care of their children, particularly if parents are detained or deported. It identifies important medical, immunization, and education documents that families can gather, and specific actions to take, such as updating children's emergency contact information of designated persons allowed to pick up their children from child cares and early learning programs.
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Continuing Education & Financial Opportunities |
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City of Seattle DEEL Child Care Retention Payments, Opens Feb. 3
Staff working at Family Child Care (FCC) and center-based programs within Seattle city limits and licensed by DCYF are eligible for this funding opportunity starting Monday, February 3. The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) and BrightSpark Early Learning Services are partnering to distribute one-time payments, which are intended to recognize the important role of child care workers and retain this workforce. Applications must be completed by the employer, or in FCC programs by the licensee. Amounts will vary.
Applications close on February 28 and are available in Amharic, Chinese (Simplified), English, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. See 2025 Child Care Staff Retention Payments - Education | seattle.gov for more details.
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BSK Child Care Wage Boost Pilot for King County Child Care Workers, Opens Feb. 10
Best Starts for Kids (BSK) is launching the Child Care Wage Boost pilot. This Pilot will study how government investments in workers can address turnover, lack of economic support and stability for workers and their families, and support the well-being of our community overall.
Licensed child care facilities in King County who meet eligibility requirements can apply for selection via lottery. Once facilities are selected, eligible workers at those programs will be notified to enroll to receive wage boosts up to $2,080 (if full-time) or up to $1,040 (if part-time) per quarter through 2027.
You can read the announcement, FAQs, and apply on the Pilot website. Applications close March 7.
UW Haring Center Winter Trainings on Complex Needs
DCYF is offering training to support child care workers who care for young children with complex needs. These trainings will be facilitated by the UW Haring Center and focus on deepening provider's knowledge in several areas related to individualizing instruction and supporting social-emotional learning. All attendees will receive an Inclusion Kit with laminated visuals they can use in their program!
All trainings are FREE and will be held remotely via Zoom with In-Service STARS credit. You don't have to attend the whole series; each class offers 2 credits.
For training on Individualizing Instruction: The Building Blocks Framework for Teaching in Inclusive Settings (3-Part Series):
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For Toddlers:
- Tuesdays, Feb. 25, Mar. 4, and Mar. 11 (1–3 PM) or
- Thursdays, Feb. 27, Mar. 6, and Mar. 13 (6–8 PM)
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For Preschoolers
- Tuesdays, Feb. 25, Mar. 4, and Mar. 11 (6–8 PM) or
- Wednesdays, Feb. 26, Mar. 5, and Mar. 12 (1–3 PM)
- Register for trainings in ENGLISH or SPANISH here
- Register for trainings in SOMALI here
Sign Up for Free IMPACT Trainings - Limited Time Offer
Thanks to grant funding, Northwest Center Kids IMPACT is able provide FREE online courses and live trainings now through the end of June 2025. This opportunity is available to eligible early childhood education providers serving children aged birth to 6 in Washington State at:
- license-exempt part-day programs
To request access to IMPACT's free professional development, complete the application through this link. IMPACT will review for eligibility and upon approval you will automatically be enrolled in all the trainings and courses mentioned on this website. All courses and trainings (besides Heavy Work) are STARS approved. This opportunity is only available for a limited time, and the first live training is on March 5, so sign up soon! If you have any questions, please email the IMPACT team at impactcourses@nwcenter.org.
You can share, subscribe, or unsubscribe below, as well as find last month's edition of our newsletter on our website at any time.
In Health,
The Child Care Health Program
kingcounty.gov/childcare
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