As a parent of a child in a Virginia childcare program, I welcome this change! Currently, the VA Early Childhood Education guidance says: "As relates to staff, providers should refer to the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) standards and updates. Note that updated guidance will encourage employers to permit workers and customers the choice of whether to wear a mask, except as otherwise required by their employer or VOSH pursuant to Va. Code §40.1-51.1.A." The VA DOLI is therefore governing the mask requirements for caregivers in childcare centers. Centers and their parents should instead be allowed to work together to find appropriate measures for their particular communities. Children need to get back to normal! I urge you to take into consideration the needs of children and the effects of mandatory masking of caregivers around small children -- for additional information, download the "Children, COVID, and the
urgency of normal" toolkit https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61e5afd7a33d334ec9f84595/t/62115f823054865c6d5497a3/1645305731693/Urgency+of+Normal+Toolkit.pdf

Thank you,

Lucy Kelly