UPDATED 7.2.20
On July 2, Governor Ricketts announced that new Directed Health Measures (DHMs) will go into effect July 6, further loosening restrictions affecting child care and other businesses throughout the state. All 93 counties will enter Phase 3 with the addition of Dakota, Hall, Hamilton and Merrick counties on July 6, 2020.
Here's what the revised DHMs mean for child care providers:
Phase 3 DHM Requirements – Applies to all Nebraska counties, including Dakota, Hall, Hamilton and Merrick
- Effective July 6, 2020
- Capacity by age per room/space:
- Infants to 3-year-olds: 15 children per room/space
- 3-year-olds: 20 children per room/space
- 4- to 5-year-olds: 24 children per room/space
- School-aged children (K-12) 30 children per room/space
All other state provisions, statutes and regulations, including child-to-staff ratios, still apply for providers in counties in Phase 3 of the recovery plan.
No date for implementation of Phase 4 has yet been set, but we anticipate existing guidelines for child care capacity will become recommendations in Phase 4 rather than enforcable DHM requirements.
For more information, visit the COVID-19 DHM page on the Nebraska Department Health and Human Services website.
