Manna Academy follows DELACARE Regulations regarding the number and ages of children served, while practicing social distancing to the extent practical given the age, ability, and social and emotional needs of the children in care. See below:

Early Care and Education Center programs must adhere to the following ratios and group sizes, and these additional requirements:
• The maximum allowable group size is 15 children (or smaller, as indicated by DELACARE Regulations);
• Groups should consist of the same children and staff each day, and mixing of groups should be restricted as much as possible;
• Groups must be kept at least 6 feet apart if using shared spaces

Face Coverings For Your Child

*ALL staff at Manna Academy will be wearing face coverings while at work*

Consistent with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics:
• Children under age 2 should not wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation.
• Cloth face coverings are recommended for children age 2-4 when feasible.
• Cloth face coverings are strongly recommended for children ages 5 and above as
long as there are no health risks based on a child's medical condition.
• Cloth face coverings are required for children over age 12.
The recommendations for children ages 2 and older are especially important when children are indoors or when social distancing is difficult.
Children age 2 years and older who can wear a cloth face covering safely and consistently should wear one in accordance with CDC guidance. There are a variety of strategies parents/guardians and child care providers can use to assist children with becoming comfortable wearing cloth face coverings. Parents/guardians are encouraged to practice these strategies at home to help their child become comfortable with wearing a cloth face covering prior to use of a cloth face covering in a child care/school/business setting.

Considerations for Parents/Guardians and Other Adults Supervising Children with Medical, Developmental or Behavioral Conditions
Under the following conditions, parents/guardians or other adults supervising children may determine that it is not in the child’s best interest or within their capability to safely wear a cloth face covering:
• Some children, particularly those under age 5 years, may not be developmentally
capable of wearing a cloth face covering without frequent touching of the mask or their face or attempting to take the mask off, or be unable to remove it safely without assistance.
• Some children with developmental or behavioral conditions may have difficulty tolerating cloth face coverings.
• Some children with respiratory conditions, like uncontrolled asthma, or other medical problems may have difficulty breathing or have other safety concerns when wearing a cloth face covering.
• Some children with physical limitations may not be able to remove a cloth face covering without assistance.

Children should NOT wear a face covering:
• if the face covering presents a possible choking hazard (e.g., buttons, stickers, etc.) or strangulation risk (e.g., during certain activities or for certain children);
• if the child has difficulty breathing with the face covering on, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance;
• if wearing the face covering puts the child at increased risk of being exposed to the virus because they are touching their face more frequently;
• if it causes the child significant anxiety or panic attacks due to a behavioral, developmental, or medical condition;
• while napping;
• during meal/snack times
• while playing outside if social distancing can be maintained.

Summer Camp ( June-August)
• Children under age 2 should NOT wear face coverings.
• Children age 2 years and older who can wear a cloth face covering safely and
consistently should wear one in accordance with CDC guidance. There are a variety of strategies parents/guardians and camp counselors can use to assist children with becoming comfortable wearing cloth face coverings. Parents/guardians are encouraged to practice these strategies at home to help their child become comfortable with wearing a cloth face covering prior to use of a cloth face covering in a camp setting.
• Cloth face coverings are recommended for children ages 2-4 when feasible.
• It is strongly recommended that children ages 5-12 in camps wear face coverings, if
doing so will not either pose a health risk to them, encourage unnecessary touching of the face, create behavioral challenges, or if they cannot safely put on and take off the face covering.
• Children over age 12 must wear face coverings unless there is a health reason why they should not.
• Face coverings should not be worn while eating or while outside if social distancing can be maintained.
• Parents/guardians and camp staff should discuss the considerations above and in this document for each individual child, and consult with the child’s health care provider if necessary (e.g., for children with certain conditions such as asthma), to determine if an individual child is able to safely and consistently wear a cloth face covering while in camp.

After Care ( August- June)

•It is  strongly recommended that children ages 5-12 in child care wear face coverings, if doing so will not either pose a health risk to them, encourage unnecessary touching of the face, create behavioral challenges, or if they cannot safely put on and take off the face covering.

• Face coverings are required for children older than age 12.

Family Responsibility for Providing Cloth Face Coverings
• For child serving settings, Parents/guardians should provide cloth face coverings for their own child/children. Parents/guardians should provide a sufficient supply of clean/unused cloth face coverings for their child each day to allow replacing the covering as needed and have a plan for routine cleaning of cloth face coverings.
• The number of cloth face coverings needed for each child will vary by child and by day.
• Parents/guardians should be sure the cloth face coverings are:
o Clearly marked with the child’s name and room number/teacher’s name;
o Clearly marked and/or designed to distinguish which side of the covering should
be worn facing outwards so they are worn properly each day.
NOTE: If a parent supplies surgical face masks rather than cloth face coverings, they may also be used according to the guidance above.