COVID Daycare Rules 2026-27: Vaccines and When to Stay Home

Updated November 2026.

For the 2026-27 season, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for all children 6 through 23 months old, and for children 2 through 18 who are in certain risk groups or whose families want it. If your child gets COVID, IDPH says to stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and symptoms are improving, then take extra care for the next 5 days.

Here is what that means for babies, toddlers and preschoolers in daycare.

COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for young children

• Ages 6 to 23 months: IDPH recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all children in this age group.
• Ages 2 to 18: recommended for children in certain risk groups, or if the family wants it.
• Pregnant people and those planning pregnancy, postpartum or breastfeeding are also included in IDPH's recommendations, which helps protect newborns.

IDPH tells pediatric providers to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule. Federal guidance has changed over the past year, so talk with your pediatrician about what is right for your child.

Is a COVID vaccine required for daycare in Illinois?

No. COVID-19 vaccination is not on Illinois' list of required immunizations for child care. See our guide to Illinois daycare immunization requirements.

When to keep your child home

IDPH's guidance for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV, issued September 10, 2026, says people should stay home and away from others until both are true:

• They have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine, and
• Their symptoms are getting better.

After that, IDPH advises extra precautions for at least 5 days, such as a well-fitted mask around others, plus good handwashing. These steps apply whether or not your child was tested. The AAP advises against masks for children under 2, so for babies and young toddlers, focus on handwashing and keeping a little distance from vulnerable people.

Illinois daycare centers also screen children daily and follow licensing rules. Children with a fever and a change in behavior, unusual tiredness, trouble breathing, or illness that keeps them from taking part should stay home. Your center may have its own policy, so ask.

COVID symptoms in babies and toddlers

• Fever or chills
• Cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat
• Fussiness, tiredness or poor feeding
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Symptoms in young children often look like a cold or the flu. Call your pediatrician for any baby under 3 months with a fever, for trouble breathing, signs of dehydration, or a child who seems very sick. Get emergency care for severe trouble breathing, bluish lips or a child who is hard to wake.

Should you test?

Testing can help you know what your child has, especially if someone at home is at high risk. It does not change IDPH's return guidance, which is based on fever and symptoms. Ask your daycare whether it wants to be told about a positive test.

Lowering the spread

• Keep sick children and adults home.
• Wash hands at drop-off, before meals and at pickup.
• Teach older toddlers and preschoolers to cough into their elbow.
• Stay up to date on recommended vaccines for the whole family.

For other respiratory viruses this season, see our guides to flu and daycare and RSV and daycare.

For general sick-day rules, see daycare fever rules and how often daycare kids get sick.

Frequently asked questions

Should my baby get a COVID vaccine this year?

IDPH recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all children 6 through 23 months for 2026-27. Talk with your pediatrician.

When can my child go back to daycare after COVID?

When they have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and their symptoms are improving. IDPH then advises extra precautions for 5 days.

Does my child need a negative test to return?

IDPH's return guidance is based on fever and symptoms, not testing. Ask your center about its own policy.

Is the COVID vaccine required for daycare in Illinois?

No. It is not one of the required immunizations for child care in Illinois.

When a child gets sick at Children's Land

If a child becomes sick during the day at Children's Land, the director calls the designated adult from the Emergency Information Form, and the child rests away from the group until pickup. Learn about our infant program, find a location, or contact us.

Related reading: Flu and Daycare 2026-27: Policy, Vaccines and Return.