Schools and Child Care: COVID-19

It is important that everyone in the school community take steps to reduce COVID-19 transmission, particularly to those at high risk, while balancing the need to maintain a strong education system that effectively supports staff, students, and communities.

More information is available:

• Minnesota Department of Education: COVID-19 Updates
• State of Minnesota: COVID19 Response Child Care Information for Families and Providers

On this page:
Child care and K-12 programming
Safety and well-being
Cleaning and disinfecting
CDC guidance and resources
Additional resources and print materials

Child care and K-12 programming

• 2020-2021 Planning Guide for Schools: Health Considerations for Navigating COVID-19 (PDF)
  This document provides parameters for schools to use in their planning and operations for the 2020-2021 school year.
  Updated 1/15/21
  
  
• Data for K-12 Schools: 14-day COVID-19 Case Rate by County (PDF)
  This document provides data that can be used by schools in making decisions about their safe learning model. Updated: 1/14/21, updated every Thursday.
  • School Data and Decision-making


• Guidance for Delivering Direct Student Support Services: Staff Protective Equipment (PDF)
  This document provides direction to school staff on the type of protective equipment that will be needed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission when delivering direct student support services.
  Updated 1/7/21
  
  
• Guidance for Providing Support to Students in Their Homes (PDF)
  This document outlines guidance for school district staff providing in-home services to meet individual student needs.
  Updated 12/14/20
  
  
• Guidance for Providing Nebulization Treatments in Schools (PDF)
  This document provides guidance on the use of nebulizers and peak-flow meters in schools and other educational venues.
  8/12/20
  
  
• COVID-19 Prevention Guidance for Youth and Student Programs (PDF)
  This guidance outlines prevention strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in youth and student programs.
  Updated 1/7/21
  
  
• COVID-19 Prevention Guidance for Overnight Youth Camps (PDF)
  Supplemental guidance for overnight camp operations.
  Updated 1/7/21
  
  
• Playground Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs (PDF)
  5/28/20

Safety and well-being

• What To Do When Notified of a Lab-Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in Child Care Settings or Youth Programs (PDF)
  Resources and instructions to protect staff and children in your child care or youth programs if notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
  Updated 12/29/20
  
  
• Handling a Suspected or Confirmed Positive Case of COVID-19: Information for Schools (PDF)
  Updated 12/29/20
  
  
• COVID-19 Decision Tree for People in Schools, Youth, and Child Care Programs (PDF)
  MDH exclusion guidance for schools, youth, and child care programs.
  Updated 12/21/20
  
  Translated versions: COVID-19 Decision Tree

  • COVID-19 Decision Tree for People in Schools, Youth, and Child Care Programs in Hmong (PDF)
  • COVID-19 Decision Tree for People in Schools, Youth, and Child Care Programs in Somali (PDF)
  • COVID-19 Decision Tree for People in Schools, Youth, and Child Care Programs in Spanish (PDF)
• COVID-19 Attendance Guide for Parents and Families (PDF)
  Guide for parents and families to understand when children can attend school, youth programs, and child care during COVID-19.
  Updated 12/29/20
  
  
• Home Screening Tool for COVID-19 Symptoms (PDF)
  Home screening tool for parents and guardians related to COVID-19.
  Updated 12/29/20
  
  
• Masking Requirements for Child Care
  Recommendations for those caring for children of essential workers (child care providers, family child care providers, and school-age care).
  
  
• Ventilation Guidance for Schools: COVID-19
  
  
• Food Service Worker Safety Information (PDF)
  Guidance for school food programs.
  Updated 7/22/20
  
  
• Minimizing the Spread of COVID-19: Tips for Drop-off and Pick up in Child Care Setting (PDF)
  
  
• Supporting Mental Well-being during COVID-19
  • Tips and Resources for Children and Parents During COVID-19
    

Cleaning and disinfecting

• COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs
  
  
• Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 for Facilities Service and Cleaning Staff
  
  
• Supplies for Schools: COVID-19
  Cleaning supplies for students and staff, including the health services and custodial teams.
  

CDC guidance and resources

• K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs
  FAQs for administrators, teachers, and parents.
  
  
• Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open
  
  
• Childcare, Schools, and Youth Programs
  Guidance documents to plan, prepare, and respond.

Additional resources and print materials

• Guidance Library: COVID-19
  
  
• Cleaning & Disinfecting for COVID-19 (PDF)
  
  
• Hand Hygiene
  Video, posters, teaching materials, and more related to handwashing.
  • Hand Hygiene for Schools and Child Care
    Hand hygiene information, research, and guidelines for schools and child care.
    
    
• Infectious Diseases in Childcare Settings and Schools Manual
  Hennepin County infectious disease manual.
  
  
• Institutes of Higher Education (IHE)
  Planning guidance for mitigating COVID-19 spread on campus and other interpretive guidance.