As Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services operate during COVID-19, it is important for babies, toddlers and young children that child-centredness continues to be a basis for how we develop our response for children. 
When all the child’s most important adults—parents and practitioners—work together, going to childcare can be a positive experience for everyone.
Everyone will need to remain vigilant and continue to follow Public Health guidance.
School, childcare and COVID-19 - HSE.ie https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/preventing-the-spread/child-returning-to-school-or-childcare/?fbclid=IwAR33E7j2rg_TeDjjwjSr5uOppQ41E2gzn5SnuA1hKSh2BcP8izKQFrQQHY8
Management of Infectious Disease in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings
Download Booklet: https://www.hpsc.ie/.../lifes.../childcare/File,13444,en.pdf
KEY MESSAGES
When to keep your child at home from school or childcare
Keep your child at home if they:
- have symptoms of COVID-19 https://www2.hse.ie/.../covid19/symptoms/symptoms-child/...
- have got a positive COVID-19 test result
- have diarrhoea and are aged 12 or younger https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/diarrhoea-vomiting/
When it's OK to send your child to school or childcare?
It is usually OK to send your child to school or childcare if they:
- only have nasal symptoms, such as a runny nose or a sneeze, but otherwise feel well
- have tested negative and have not had any new symptoms for 48 hours
- have not had diarrhoea for 48 hours
RSV
The HSE are seeing a significant increase in the rates of RSV infection; a respiratory virus which causes Bronchiolitis in young children. Symptoms of bronchiolitis usually include a runny/blocked nose, mild fever and cough. In babies, however, it can cause more significant difficulties in breathing and feeding, and young babies are more likely to need hospital care.
More details on Bronchiolitis can be found here: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/bronchiolitis/