COVID-19 Related Resources for Child Care Providers

To support child care providers affected by the various impacts of the pandemic, the City of Irvine has gathered the following resource links. These links are for organizations outside the City, and are collected here for your convenience. For more information on the City’s measures to prevent spread in our community, visit cityofirvine.org/covid19.​

Announcements/New Resources

Final Round of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Now Open

This program will support small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and the related health and safety restrictions. Applications due Thursday, September 30. Learn more at one of the following upcoming events. Click on date to register.

For more information and to submit your online application, click here.  Eligible grant awards are $5,000-$25,000. Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.

Licensed Child Care Facility Stabilization Stipends

The Licensed Child Care Facility Stabilization Stipends were approved in the California 2021-22 State Budget Act and authorized to be distributed by the California Department of Social Services. These one-time “licensed stipends” will be facilitated by the Community Care Licensing Division, Child Care Program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These licensed stipends are intended to help stabilize existing licensed child care facility operations and provide support associated with expenses from the COVID-19 pandemic to include, but not limited to:

  • Staff incentives or bonus pay
  • Increased costs due to cleaning, sanitization, and other COVID-19 related operating expenses
  • Increased costs associated with distance learning
  • Support for decreased enrollment
  • Any other activity necessary to maintain or resume facility operations, including support for fixed cost

The amount for Family Child Care Home providers is $3,500 per licensed home.

The amount for Child Care Centers is based on the maximum facility capacity allowable for children per license as follows:

  • $3,500 = CCC max capacity of 14 children or less.
  • $4,000 = CCC max capacity of between 15 and 24 children.
  • $5,000 = CCC max capacity of between 25 and 60 children.
  • $6,500 = CCC max capacity exceeds 60 children.

To learn more, visit the Licensed Stipends FAQs webpage.

Opportunity to Receive Support from Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children (OCAEYC)

If you are a family child care provider, faith-based child care owner/director, or private child care center owner/director, and have struggled due to COVID-19, you are eligible to apply for support and may receive:

  • Professional development (18+ hours)
  • Individualized support
  • Stipend funds
  • Resources and materials for business development

Click here to view flier and click here to apply. Funded by First 5 Orange County and Community Action Partnership Orange County.

COVID-19 Exposure - Child Care Reporting and Best Practices

Child care providers must report any positive COVID-19 cases they become aware of in any individual that has been on their program site within the past fourteen days to the Orange County Health Care Agency and the State of California Community Care Licensing Division. To view details regarding next steps if you are notified of a positive case in a staff member, participant or anyone who has been present in your program please, click here.

COVID-19 Licensed Child Care Facilities and Providers (FAQs)

Answers from California Community Care Licensing Division to many of your COVID-19 related questions.

COVID-19 Testing for Orange County Essential Workers

Child care staff are considered “essential workers” so they do not need to exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms for the testing.  Click here to make an appointment for a free COVID-19 test.

At-Home Test Kits for Educators

Educators can order a free at-home kit to test for COVID-19. Kits can be ordered following this link: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-testing.  You will need an email address for each person in your household requiring a test kit.

COVID-19 Vaccine and Child Care Providers

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

All individuals age 12 and older are eligible to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. * Parental consent is required and you must be accompanied by an parent or guardian to receive the vaccine if you are under the age of 18. For assistance locating a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Orange County Health Care Agency website, or visit vaccinateca.com. 

General Information

Please ensure that both Children’s Home Society (CHS) of CA and Community Care Licensing (CCL) has your updated contact information including phone number and email to receive updates and information regarding your program.

CHS: 714-456-9800
CCL: 714-703-2800
 

State of California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division:

Review and follow the Guidance for Child Care Providers and Programs to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of children, providers, and families. Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the information in your facility to show employees and families that you’ve reduced the risk and are open. 

Orange County Health Care Agency:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Schools and Child Care Programs

Child Care Law Center: Questions & Answers on Providing Child Care during Coronavirus. See updates on new guidance or policies for the following topics:

  • Vaccines
  • Liability, Contracts, and Waivers
  • Families' Obligation to Pay
  • Unemployment and Financial Supports

Webinar from Early Childhood Investigations:

Reports on the Status of Child Care

Financial Resources

Additional Resources

Child Care Exchange: Keys to Rebuilding Enrollment Post COVID-19

Every Child California: COVID-19 Resource Page

Child Care Aware: Grab, Adapt and Go COVID-19 Resources for Child Care Program 

  • Guidance and customizable forms from Child Care Aware. Click the link then scroll down under the photo and blog post to find list of linked documents for download. Downloads available in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian and more languages.

California Inclusion and Behavior Consultation Network: COVID Virtual Consultation Flier

Supporting Children's Mental Health

Early Childhood OC: Clean, Disinfect, and Sanitize Health Guidance

Printable step-by-step directions, cleaning routine sample schedule, and general health guidance.

Additional City Resources

On-Demand Training & Resources and Training Calendar: The Child Care Coordination Office compiles this list of resources and webinars for early care and education professionals to enhance the quality of child care in Irvine. Many of these webinars would also be beneficial for families having young children.

Finding Child Care: View all open programs in Irvine via an interactive map and lists of family child care and center based programs.

For more information, visit cityofirvine.org/covid19 or call Irvine Child Care Coordination Office directly at 949-724-6632.