COVID-19

The Children’s Center continues to follow the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation and update procedures based on the most recent guidance shared by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Maine General, Department of Education (DOE), and Maine Child Care Licensing. We opened childcare for essential workers in March 2020 and reopened our regular programming in June 2020.

Based on recent information & recommendations, we have implemented the following procedures:

• As of January 4, 2022, all staff members are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• As of March 21, 2022, masking at the Children’s Center will be optional for staff at all sites.
• As of September 18, 2023, staff are no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

For children who have been in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19:

• Test-to-Stay Procedure: Caregiver(s) will have the option to test their child using a rapid antigen test on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 after exposure. Should the caregivers decide against using the test-to-stay option, their child will need to quarantine and not attend services for 10 days after their last exposure.

For children who test positive:

• Children must isolate for 5 days. They may return after 5 days if symptoms have improved, they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and they are able to consistently wear a mask for the remaining 5 days after isolation. If the child is too young or unable to mask, they will need to remain out of the Center for 10 days after their first positive test.

For staff who test positive:

• Staff must isolate for 5 days after testing positive. They may end isolation after day 5 if symptoms are improving and have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Staff must wear a mask for 5 additional days after ending isolation OR take two antigen tests 48 hours apart. If both tests are negative, staff can remove the mask before the 10th day.

We have established these protocols to keep children, families, and staff safe during the current COVID-19 situation. We hope we can continue to work together by keeping communication open and following procedures until we reach the other side of this pandemic.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your understanding. Thank you for supporting the Children’s Center.