DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - Childcare facilities in Texas were allowed to open immediately with the governor's announcement Monday afternoon, but they are required to follow additional restrictions.
"While the risk of serious illness or loss of life is greatest in those 65 years of age and older, persons in every age group can get COVID-19 and some will have a severe illness," a checklist for child care centers read.
Drop-off and pick-up must take place entirely outside the facility. Parents with a "legitimate need" to enter the daycare should be screened, and arrival and drop-off times should be staggered.
Employees should maintain six feet of space, and when they cannot stay six feet away from others, they should wear masks, and cleanliness and sanitation should be "rigorously practiced."
"It's been totally crazy," says RJ Bradley, who runs Kids Place Learning Center in Seagoville. "I have been in this business more than 46 years. I've never had anything happen like this."
Bradley says she is glad to reopen, but she has had to hire additional staff to meet new requirements.
"When enrollment starts up, you can only have ten kids for the older ones, for three years old and up," she says. "Now, we're going to have to hire more teachers because our groups have to be smaller."
The previous standard for three year old children was one caregiver for 15 kids.
For kids 18-23 months, daycare must have one caregiver for seven children. Previously, they could have one caregiver per nine students. For two year-olds, childcare facilities must have one caregiver per eight children, down from 11.
The regulations say times at playgrounds should be staggered, and while "high touch" surfaces should be cleaned regularly, disinfectant is not required.
"Do not spray disinfectant on outdoor playgrounds-it is not an efficient use of supplies and is not proven to reduce risk of COVID-19 to the public," the guidelines read.
At nap time, mats should be placed at least six feet apart and kids should sleep head-to-toe to "reduce the potential for viral spread." Mats should be disinfected before and after each use.
Staff, children and anyone else with legal authority to enter the facility should be screened first. The guidelines say children should be kept in the same group each day, and the same provider should stay with the same group.
A complete list of protocols is available here.