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Child Care Centers
Support for Child Care Leaders and Staff during COVID-19
Our Child Care Task Force is dedicated to providing updated guidance and working with our child care programs, including those that do not traditionally require Health Department approval for licensure (ex. sports, performing arts, or faith-based camps) in Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas Counties. Continue using this website as a resource for your program and refer to it for updated information.
- If you are a child care in Adams or Arapahoe County and have questions or reports about COVID-19 cases, exposures, isolation, quarantine, outbreaks, or other general questions please reach out to EHChildcare@tchd.org.
- If you are a child care in Douglas County and have questions or reports about COVID-19 cases, exposures, isolation, quarantine, or other general questions please reach out to Jogan Health Solutions at DCcovid19@joganhealth.com. and for outbreaks please email DCOutbreaks@joganhealth.com.
Vaccines
All individuals 5 years old and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have not yet received your COVID-19 vaccine or booster, check with your employer to find out if they have a designated vaccine provider. If not, find a provider on our COVID-19 vaccine webpage.
Watch Recorded Webinars
All recorded webinars and slides are on our School Support webpage. These are school-specific highlighting important topics related to COVID-19 response efforts.
View our webinar for Operating Your Residential Camp During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Illnesses at Your Facility
Continue to refer to the Cases and Outbreak Guidance in Child Care and Schools to help guide decisions regarding COVID-19.
Use an illness log to help keep track of sick people and their symptoms.
If you have a case or suspect an outbreak is occurring at your facility, contact us at EHChildcare@tchd.org. Provide the name and address of your center, a brief description of your situation, and the person to contact to discuss further. Please do not include specific names or other identifying information in your description.
Child Care FAQs and Guidance During COVID-19
- COVID-19 Cleaners, EPA
- Before buying, email EHChildcare@tchd.org since some cleaners listed would not be allowed for use in child care
- Emerging Devices Handout
- Types of Face Masks, CDC
- Masking in Child Cares, Healthy Child Care Colorado
- Consultants or In-Person Visits, Office of Early Childhood
- HVAC Systems Video, Boulder County PAC
- HVAC Guidance, CDPHE
- Cleaning Your Facility, CDC
Other Partner Resources During COVID-19
- Colorado Office of Early Childhood COVID-19 FAQs, CDHS
- COVID Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs, CDC
- Child care facilities, CDPHE
Signs to Download, Republish, and Share
These are signs for you to use at your child care facility.
Regulations
The current Regulations Governing the Health and Sanitation of Childcare Facilities went into effect on January 14, 2016.
Online Regulation Training
You can find the following courses on this site under Course Catalog: https://www.train.org/cdctrain/welcome
- Regulation Training for Providers: Co. Train course ID: 1061220
- Overview of 2016 Regulation revisions: Co. Train course ID: 1062355
General Inspection Information
Our Environmental Health staff inspects child care centers every 1-2 years, depending on the program. During health inspections, we ensure minimum health regulations are met and provide educational information. This helps to ensure children have a healthy environment to learn and grow in.
Tri-County Health Department does not license child care facilities. However, a passing health inspection is required by the Office of Early Childhood Colorado Department of Human Services in order for a child care to receive a license from Human Services or to remain in good standing.
Health inspections are public record and can be accessed on our Health Inspections webpage.
Routine Inspections During COVID-19
Routine inspections were put on hold during early COVID-19 response efforts. Our staff is reaching out to facilities to set up inspections virtually. We are working through our backlog of individuals as quickly as we can. If your last inspection was greater than 2 years ago, email EHChildcare@tchd.org. Here are some links to help you prepare for your inspection:
Room Addition and Room Change Inspections
Contact EHChildcare@tchd.org if you plan on opening new room(s) for your existing program, changing from old rooms to new rooms, or adding an additional room. These inspections are being done remotely unless major issues or concerns are identified.
Submit Plans Before Any Construction Begins for New Buildings and Remodeled Facilities
All new programs must submit the Child Care Plan Review Packet. The plan review packet for new construction or remodeling must be completed and submitted to this department for approval before any construction begins. Programs must pay all fees associated with the review and inspections.
- Child Care Plan Review Packet for Remodels and New Builds
- CDPHE Approval of New and Relocated Child Care Operations during COVID-19 | Spanish
- EPA Lead Inspection
- EPA Asbestos Inspection
Opening Inspections
Once construction is complete, email EHChildcare@tchd.org to schedule an opening inspection. The number of inspectors and their availability is limited. Plan ahead by providing plenty of time to get an opening inspection scheduled and completed. Opening inspections for newly constructed/ remodeled buildings are being done remotely unless major issues or concerns are identified. Our Environmental Health team must give approval before Human Services will issue a license.
Room Addition and Room Change Inspections
Email EHChildcare@tchd.org if you plan on opening new room(s) for your existing program, changing from old rooms to new rooms, or adding an additional room. These inspections are being done remotely unless major issues or concerns are identified.
Disease Prevention and Illness Policies
Illness policies are required by regulations. These policies are in place to protect students and staff from the spread of illness.
Outbreak
Always keep track of illnesses on a log for both children and staff. Tracking illnesses before an outbreak occurs helps caregivers to see when a jump in numbers could indicate an outbreak. Contact Tri-County Health Department immediately to help control the spread of illness.
Other important disease prevention resources
Using Sanitizers and Disinfectants
Sanitizers | Disinfectants |
---|---|
Used on food contact surfaces, toys, and other commonly handled items, such as doorknobs | Used in restrooms, on diaper changing tables, and to disinfect areas contaminated by bodily fluids. |
- Find More Information about Your Sanitizer / Disinfectant
- Concentration and Cleaning Schedules
- Emerging Devices Handout
Bleach as a sanitizer and disinfectant
Follow the mixing instructions for your brand of bleach. Bleach that has a lower percentage of hypochlorite will need more bleach while mixing with water than one that has a higher percentage.
- Test each mixture daily.
- Bleach sanitizer concentration should be 50-200ppm.
- Bleach disinfectant concentration will vary depending on which brand of bleach you use. Read the label to determine the right amount.
- How to Mix Bleach Sanitizers & Disinfectants
- Calculator: Amount of Bleach to Add to Water
Required Radon Testing in Child Care Centers
Radon testing is required for all new and existing child care centers. As uranium breaks down naturally in our soils, it releases a gas we call radon. This gas enters buildings through cracks in the foundation. Radon gas causes cancer and it is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. It can only be detected through testing.
Animals in Child Care
Find out what animals are not allowed in your child care center and what is required for animals that visit your child care center.
Poisonous & Toxic Materials
Variance Requests
If meeting minimum health and sanitation requirements presents an undue hardship on the person, facility, or the community, then you may request a deviation from the Health Regulations.
For hatching chicks or for portable hand sinks, fill out these additional forms: