Child care in the era of COVID-19

As offices reopen and more people go back to work, parents will begin to send their children back to school or reintroduce external childcare programs into their daily routines. After the hiatus from in-person schooling and even childcare services, you may be wondering: What does childcare look like in the era of COVID-19?

In New York City, for example, child care programs opened in July, while schools officially start classes on September 21st. Still, close to 40 percent of parents have opted to continue schooling their children remotely for the first few months of the 2020 school year. Continue reading to learn what these new programs look like from a practical perspective, how employees with children can manage child care at home while working remotely, and how employers can support employees with children.

Safety Protocol for Child Care Programs

New York State released a set of guidelines that child care programs statewide must follow in order to maintain a safe environment for your children. These are:

• Groups of children cannot exceed 15.
• All adult staff and visitors must have on face coverings. Children 2 years and under, as well as children who should not wear face coverings for developmental reasons, should not wear masks.
• Facilities must be cleaned and disinfected often.
• Both staff and children should wash hands frequently with soap and water. Hand sanitizer should be used in the absence of hand washing stations.
• Parents and guardians should be given details on how to report when their child is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or when the child has had a positive COVID-19 test result.
• Daily health screenings must be conducted for all child care program staff and participating children, either at home or on-site.
• Visitors who are deemed non-essential are not allowed to enter the program premises.

Safety and Educational Protocol for NYC schools

This year’s back-to-school schedule and daily flow will look very different from years prior. In particular:

• Students will be able to choose between blended learning (in which their schedule incorporates a mix of remote and on-site learning), or 100% remote learning. Remote instruction will consist of “live interaction” learning with instructors, as well as independent study time.
• The Department of Education will supply schools with Personal Protective Equipment, sanitization equipment, and thermometers.
• Staff and students will have multiple opportunities throughout the day to sanitize their hands.
• Face coverings will be required in school buildings, and physical distancing (at a minimum of 6 feet apart) will be encouraged, with schools working to modify existing infrastructure and layouts such that distancing is possible.
• The number of routine cleanings per day will increase, with more attention paid to frequently-touched surfaces. HVAC systems will also be improved in order to improve air filtration and circulation.
• When viable, schools will utilize available outdoor space for increased outdoor learning.

How to manage child care as a remote employee

Working while also having to manage child care hands-on can be a daunting and highly difficult task. Here are some child care tips for remote employees:

• Shift your work schedule: The 9-5 just may not work for you when you have to simultaneously care for your child. If possible, break up your work schedule so that you’re working around your child(ren)’s schedules: for example, work for a few hours before they wake up, or after they go to bed. That way, you’ll be able to complete work you would normally have done in the daytime hours, and you can use this extra time to tend to your children. Make sure your employer is aware of any adjustments to your schedule.
• Make a robust plan: Plan comprehensive daily schedules for your children so that there are no day-to-day unknowns. (You may choose to do this on the weekend when you have time, and plan ahead for the week!) For blocks of time where you need to work, give them projects that require focus and a longer attention span. In between projects, you can schedule times to go over whatever your child has worked on within a given time period, giving you opportunities to nurture, educate, and assist your child while also allocating dedicated times for your own work.
• Create a workspace for your child: Setting up a dedicated workspace for your child may motivate them to be focused — they may even enjoy the opportunity to emulate you as you work too! Set them up with everything they’ll need to be successful for the day according to the schedule you plan for them.
• Provide incentives for your children for completing work: Incentivize your child to stick to their schedule and complete their school work with small prizes or rewards. This could be a few more minutes of screen time, a small toy, a favorite meal, or something else.
• Remember that everyone is in the same boat: It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in having to juggle child care and work while working from home. Every time your child interrupts a Zoom meeting, remember that others on that call have experienced the same thing! In the era of COVID-19, it’s key for us to have empathy and compassion for what our coworkers are going through, as we are all in this together.

How employers can support employees with children

• Allow parents to work remotely as needed: Even as offices reopen and employees head back to the workplace, many parents may not feel comfortable sending their children back to childcare programs or to school. Empower parents to work from home when need be, so that they can successfully balance their personal and professional lives.
• Allow flexible hours: As mentioned earlier, flexible hours are important for parents who have to care for their children during the day. Allow parents to complete their work on a schedule that works for them.
• Offer paid family leave: For parents who may need a little extra time to care for their children (for example, new parents, parents without at-home help, or parents of children with disabilities), employers can offer paid family leave to provide them with additional support. Offering paid family leave will go a long way in showing your employees that you care about their well-being and success.
• Provide childcare subsidies: Because many childcare needs have changed, childcare subsidies are another great way to support your employees. Parents can use them for meals, educational materials, online educational programs, child care help, and more.
• Support groups for parents with children: We may know others are going through the same thing we are, but sometimes we need a little reassurance! Employers can take the initiative to form support groups for parents with children, allowing them to meet virtually on company time to discuss at-home childcare solutions, tips for balancing child care and remote work, and more.