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Isolation and Quarantine in Early Care and Education (ECE) Programs

Isolation and Quarantine in Early Care and Education (ECE) Programs

Quick guides

Updated Feb. 17, 2022
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Quick Guides for Isolation and Quarantine

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Quick Guide: Isolation

What to do when a child in your early care and education (ECE) program might have COVID-19.

DAY 0

Child is sick or has a positive COVID-19 test

DAYS 1–5

Child stays home and isolates away from other people to the extent possible.

DAY 6

Is the child fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication? AND is the child free of symptoms or symptoms improved? AND is the child 2 years of age or older and able to consistently wear a mask in the ECE program?

DAYS 6–10

It is safest to continue isolation until the end of day 10 [ 1 ].

  • For children who have symptoms, continue isolation until the child is fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved.
  • For children who were severely ill, or whose fever persists past day 10, consult a healthcare professional before returning to the ECE program.
  • After day 10, return to the ECE program.

Quick Guide: Quarantine

What to do when a child in your early care and education program (ECE) might have been exposed to COVID-19.

DAY 0

Child has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19

Does the child need to quarantine?

Did the child have confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days AND is the child without symptoms?

Is the child up to date with COVID-19 vaccines?

DAYS 1–5

Child stays home and quarantines away from other people to the extent possible. Monitor for symptoms.

DAY 6

Is the child 2 years of age or older and able to consistently wear a mask in the ECE program?

DAYS 6–10

It is safest to continue to quarantine until the end of day 10 [ 1 ].

If the child has or develops symptoms at any point during their quarantine period, they should isolate immediately. Consult a healthcare professional for testing recommendations.

Return to the ECE Program

Whenever possible, keep children who are returning from isolation or quarantine before day 11 away from people who are at high risk, and 6 feet apart when masks are not worn.

1 For program administrators: When you determine isolation or quarantine policies, you should consider multiple factors: The impact of the loss of access to education and care on the well-being of children and families, the level of community transmission of COVID-19, presence of other people who are at high risk for severe illness, and the ability to use additional prevention strategies.