SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now highly stressing for child care programs to wear masks for anyone over the age of 2-years-old.
Locally, Head Start programs fall under the Concho Valley Council of Governments child care programs and is a federal program licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Child Care Licensing at the state level.
Carolina Raymond, Head Start director for the Concho Valley Council of Governments, said Head Start programs are not required by the state to enforce face cover wearing and therefore, Head Start's protocol is not changing. However, they will continue to follow whatever recommendations are set forth by the state.
"We do allow children to wear masks if they decide. But currently, it's not a requirement for any of our centers or the kiddos to wear the masks. However, our staff is all wearing masks, and parents are wearing masks during drop off and pick up," Raymond said.
Wearing a mask can be a challenge for parents when trying to put them on their children. Raymond noted it can be a struggle for teachers when continuing to teach their students social interpersonal skills.
"I think it's definitely been a challenge for our teachers this year you know, for them not to be able to build that rapport with that facial recognition with them," she said. "Better times are to come and hopefully we will be able to remove those masks at some point so our teachers can see our happy kiddos and they can see their faces as well."
Head Start daycare centers will continue to check for temperatures, enforce six-feet distance at circle time events and wash and sanitize their hands.