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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
Opportunities
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Health & Safety Information for Child Care Providers |
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New Measles Toolkit for Child Care and Early Learning Programs
The CCHP is excited to announce its new Measles Toolkit for Child Care and Early Learning Programs! This toolkit was created to specifically help child care and early learning programs prepare for and respond to a case of measles.
The toolkit includes:
- Steps to prepare before a case happens
- Important facts about measles
- A flyer for staff and families
- An explanation of the MMR vaccination schedule
- Instructions on what to do if you have a case
- An exclusion tracking list
The Measles Toolkit, and additional information related to measles, can be found on our new measles webpage.
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COVID-19 Reminders for the 2025-2026 Season
Below are a few reminders about COVID-19 in preparation for respiratory virus season.
Reporting requirements
COVID-19 continues to be on the Notifiable Conditions list (see Coronavirus infection). According to WAC 110-300-0205, child cares are required to report cases of Notifiable Conditions to their local health jurisdiction. Individual cases identified through at-home testing are not required to be reported.
Programs must report:
1. Any case of COVID-19 diagnosed by a medical provider or laboratory.
2. Outbreaks (defined as 5 or more cases or when 20% of a group is out sick).
To complete a report:
Fill out an online COVID-19 Intake Survey or call the PHSKC Communicable Diseases Epidemiology and Immunization Section at 206.296.4774.
Exclusion guidelines
Current Washington State Department of Health (DOH) guidance, which includes recommendations on isolation and exclusion, can be found here: What To Do When You Are Sick With COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus. Below are key points:
- Individuals with symptoms of a respiratory illness should stay home.
- Children and staff who are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness may return to the child care when BOTH of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:
- Symptoms have improved, meaning the individual is feeling better overall and can fully participate in regular classroom activities, AND
- Fever has resolved, without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Your COVID-19 policy
Programs are required to follow the information written in their health policy and may choose to have policies stricter than the state guidelines. Because people with COVID-19 are often contagious for 5-10 days after their illness begins and masking is not recommended for anyone under the age of 2, programs may choose to have a policy that requires those who tested positive to be excluded from the program for up to 10 days or requires a negative COVID test before returning. When reviewing and creating your COVID-19 policy:
- Communicate any changes to families and staff.
- Be considerate of children or staff who may be at high risk of severe illness and may benefit from added precautions.
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WAIIS Wizard – New Process for Asking Questions and More
As mentioned earlier this year, in August, DOH paused onboarding new child care and early learning programs to the Washington Immunization Information System (WAIIS). However, DOH has created a new tool, the WAIIS School and Child Care Immunization Wizard, for child care providers to ask questions about immunization requirements, forms, the School and Child Care Immunization Module, roster uploads, and WAIIS delegation requests. It’s easy to use and covers a range of topics.
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Information to Share with Staff & Families |
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2025-2026 Respiratory Virus Vaccine Recommendations
Confused about which vaccines are recommended for the upcoming 2025-2026 respiratory virus season? Check out the West Cost Health Alliance's chart, which summarizes recommendations for COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for infants and children, pregnant people, and adults. These recommendations are informed by trusted national medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Washington State has a Standing Order for the COVID-19 Vaccine!
Recently, the DOH issued a Standing Order for the COVID-19 vaccine, making it easier for Washington residents to get vaccinated. This new Standing Order allows most residents to go directly to a pharmacy or clinic for vaccination without an individual prescription. It authorizes health care providers to administer the current COVID-19 vaccine to everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant individuals, if they do not have contraindications to it.
Most private insurers, Apple Health, and Washington’s Adult Vaccine and Childhood Vaccine Programs cover the COVID-19 vaccines, and some pharmacies can bill insurance companies. To confirm if a vaccine is covered, you should contact your health insurance company.
If going to a pharmacy to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, it's a good idea to bring:
- your health insurance card; and
- identification (such as a driver’s license or school ID).
You can get other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine, at the same time as the COVID-19 so you don’t have to return for another appointment.
For answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine this season, see: How to get the COVID vaccine in King County – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER.
Resources for Families with Immigration Concerns
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has created a Family Separation Rapid Response Team Resource flyer that lists trusted resources for families at risk of separation due to immigration-related detention or deportation. It includes links to sample immigrant safety plans, school guidance, community partners, legal supports, and information on Knowing Your Rights and training.
It is available in multiple languages on the DCYF website: Resources for Families Impacted by Immigration-Related Concerns.
For information about the Family Separation Rapid Response Team or to sign up to receive updates, visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/FamilySeparationRapidResponseTeam.
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The Early Learning Facilities Grant – Deadline is Oct. 31
The Early Learning Facilities program at the Department of Commerce is now accepting grant applications from early learning and child care providers in Washington. This funding supports Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors and Working Connections providers to expand, remodel, purchase, or construct early learning facilities and classrooms to support early learning opportunities for children from low-income households.
Funding is available for pre-design, pre-development, construction, renovation, acquisition, and maintenance for health and safety. Applications close at 5 pm on October 31.
Find more information at Early Learning Facilities Program – Washington State Department of Commerce, or if you have questions, you can contact EarlyLearningFacilities@commerce.wa.gov.
Provide Feedback to Improve the Child Care Health Consultation System in King County
Best Starts for Kids is partnering with Cardea to evaluate the child care health consultation (CCHC) system in King County. Please take the survey below if you’re a child care provider or child care health consultant to help King County understand how well the CCHC system activities, services, and resources are supporting you, and how they can be improved. Estimated time to complete: 10-15 minutes. Please contact Nneoma Nwobilor (nnwobilor@cardeaservices.org) if there are questions.
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