Daycare centers provide a supportive environment for early childhood education and are an essential resource for families and communities.
But there’s something you need to bear in mind. Even though a sense of normalcy has returned as school and daycare centers reopened, Covid-19 in daycare centers is still a concern. High-quality child care isn’t just about education or providing support services for young children and their families; it keeps children safe and healthy. Therefore, daycare strategies are responsible for implementing infectious disease prevention strategies as part of their standard operations.
Ultimately, decisions about Covid-19 in daycare centers’ protocols should be made with consideration of levels of community transmission. In addition, there are ongoing efforts to vaccinate young children, which counts as a monumental step forward.
So, should the protocols of Covid-19 in daycare centers be relaxed?
Covid-19 in Daycare Centers
Of course, as a parent, you want your child to develop the way they should without all these restrictions in place.
It’s important to remember that the Covid-19 pandemic is still far from over, even though the world seems keen to forget about the virus. But creating a sense of normalcy doesn’t mean ignoring it.
Mandates continue to minimize the risk of infection or re-infection. Moreover, these strategies help prevent the spreading of other infectious diseases, such as influenza (flu) and norovirus, supporting a healthy learning environment for all.
That said, Covid-19 protocols like social distancing and event cancellations have considerably impacted the emotional well-being of young children. It’d be remiss not to consider these impacts.
But the problem isn’t wearing masks, physical distancing, and the other Covid-19-related mandates. What children find difficult to deal with is constantly changing circumstances. A sense of stability conveys that all is right in the world, easing any anxieties and frustrations they may have.
Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19
Children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. Therefore, adults need to acknowledge the concerning nature of Covid-19 and the changing nature of the disease’s control measures while conveying a sense of calm and confidence.
The following tips can help:
- Be a role model and lead by example. Children will react and follow your reactions.
- Share your concerns about the virus, and discuss your children’s fears and any concerns they might have about Covid-19 protocols. It’s absolutely normal to feel frustrated with all the restrictions. Acknowledge their frustrations and respond with truth and reassurance.
- Focus on the positive. All pandemics eventually come to an end, and Covid-19 is no longer an acute emergency. That said, it’s not yet clear how it and society will evolve. Public weariness and the emergence of variants may continue to drag on the length of the pandemic.
Striking the Best Balance for Children’s Health with Covid-19 in Daycare Centers
While protocols for Covid-19 in daycare centers effectively decrease the spread of the disease, they can also lead to the isolation of children from friends and part of their support system. Therefore, it’s crucial to find a balance that addresses children’s emotional needs rather than widely ease precautions across the board.
Returning to normal means providing children with a stable, supportive environment that enables them to learn and thrive. For example, early childhood education helps children manage their emotions and behavior better. In addition, daycare centers provide the opportunity for children to interact with each other in a safe and well-monitored environment.
Child care providers are uniquely positioned to support and promote young children’s social and emotional development, thereby giving them the necessary coping tools to deal with Covid-19 and the necessary control measures.
Contact The Learning Center
Contact us to learn more about our early childhood education programs in Windsor, South Windsor, and Manchester, CT. You may reach us at (860) 643-8639 or visit our contact page.