According to guidance from the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, pandemic learning pods should be registered with the state.
In this current mode of independent learning, parents are forming pods. In them ia small group of students gather at a home or somewhere else while they keep regular studies through remote learning.The pod setup allows parents to share child care responsibilities and provide their children with some socialization.
The state defines pods as serving a small group of no more than 12 same school-age children who might move between various parents’ oversight and homes on remote learning days. If six or more children are left under the supervision of a nonparental adult, the setup is considered nonlicensed part-day school-age child care And it should also provide notice to the state.
Learning pods registered
Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller stressed the aspects concerning children security. They want children “to be in situations where they are safe and supervised by trusted adults. Where they are able to focus on their education. ” She said their interactions with other people should minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission. “What we don’t want are parents quitting their jobs to stay home with their school-age children,” Miller stated.
Pod families serving more than six and fewer than 12 children should develop and post a health and safety plan. This plan has to be in accordance with state and federal guidelines and it must develop an emergency plan.
Learning pods location must have a working fire detection system and comply with Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law.
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The state also suspended a 90-day limit on nonlicensed, part-day, school-age programs like summer day camps and sports camps. Miller said Wednesday that the intention of the changes w to keep children safe and provide flexibility for working families.
So far, the state has registered 14 learning pods. It has also registered 37 nonlicensed, school-age programs, a spokesperson for Department of Human Services said in an email.