Guide to Safe Childcare Drop-Off and Pick-Up During COVID-19

As childcare centers are beginning to reopen, a lot of attention is being given to drop-off and pick-up procedures to help minimize the chances of COVID-19 transmission.

We’ve combed through the government policies throughout the United States and Canada as well as consulted with our early childhood educator community to create the following list of best practices for drop-off and pick-up at childcare centers.

Staggered Drop-Off & Pick-Up Times

To avoid overcrowding, assign specific times to each family so they will not all show up at once.

Labeled Waiting Spots

Place strips of tape 6 feet apart near your entrance so families know where to stand safely from one another.

Only Students and Staff Allowed Inside

Each person who enters a facility increases the chances of COVID-19 transmission, so it is a good idea to keep families outside and not allow any visitors.

Vehicle Pickup

Some centers are having staff take children from their vehicles in their facility’s parking lot to avoid families getting close to one another near the building’s entrance.

Designated Runner

Assign one staff member the responsibility of greeting families and walking each child to their classroom.

Designated Parent

If possible, have the same parent pick up and drop off their child to limit the number of people that staff come into contact with.

Health Screening Questionnaire

Before a child is allowed inside, have parents answer a questionnaire to ensure they do not have any signs of COVID-19. Here is a sample questionnaire you can use:

Do you or your child or any member of your household have any of the following symptoms?

• Fever (37.8C 100F Or Higher)
• New/Worsening Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Sore Throat
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Loss of Taste or Smell
• Nausea/Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain
• Runny Nose, or Nasal Congestion (In the absence of underlying reasons such as Seasonal Allergies, Nasal Drip, Etc.)
• Unexplained Fatigue/Malaise/Myalgia
• Chills
• Headache
• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
• Lethargy/Difficulty Feeding in Infants

Have you had contact with anyone with acute respiratory illness or who travelled outside of (country) in the last 14 days?

Have you had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?

If you answered YES to any of these DO NOT enter. Your child cannot be permitted to enter to ensure the safety of everyone. Contact your health care provider.

Temperature Checks

Check each child’s temperature using an infrared contactless forehead thermometer to ensure they do not have a fever before entering the building.

Wear Masks

Ensure that every adult is wearing a face mask. Children under 2 years old should not wear face masks. There are mixed opinions on whether older children should wear masks and so unless legally required it is up to your discretion whether children should be required to wear them.

Contactless Check-in

Do not require parents to sign a piece of paper to check their child in or out. Instead, have a staff member do this on a printed form or through a childcare app.

Hygiene Station

Have a hand sanitizing station at the entrance of your building for all staff, parents and children to use before interacting with one another.

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Is your center taking any precautions for pick-up and drop-off that weren’t included in this list? Let us know in the comments and we will add them to our guide!