View the full memo from DCFS here: http://www.inccrra.org/images/emails/Home-Based-Child-Care-Providers-Memo-3.16.2020.pdf

In response to the unprecedented public health emergency that Illinois is facing as a result of the spread of COVID-19, Governor Pritzker has announced that all K-12 non-residential, public and private schools, must close March 17 through March 30. This mandate extends also to any early childhood program for children ages birth through five in public schools or in private schools recognized or registered by the Illinois State Board of Education.

At this time, the Governor has not mandated that child care homes licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services close. However, homes are allowed to close if they so choose. In deciding whether to close, you should consider whether you serve many parents who still need to work outside of their homes (e.g., health care workers, first responders, grocery store clerks, etc.) and whose ability to work would be limited if the program closed. If programs do decide to remain open, they are strongly urged to follow the guidance for child care provided by the Centers for Disease Control. Resources are available on the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development web site (https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/OECD/Pages/COVID-19.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3gcvP6HQEaJiOyyBdlRYXKqvyyoFIqMSdPHfOFUP4oE_wrJXvDz2RYjro).

If your program decides to close, we request that you report this by completing the form below. We are committed to supporting our child care providers through this health emergency, and appreciate all that you are doing to support children, families and your communities.