In mid-June, the Province of Ontario announced its plan to allow child care operators to re-open provided that they meet guidelines in the Operational Guidance During COVID-19 for Child Care Re-Opening released by the Ministry of Education. These guidelines, developed in consultation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and medical leaders at The Hospital for Sick Children, include enhanced health and safety requirements for all childcare centres and licensed home childcare providers.

Since its release, licensed childcare providers across Bruce County have been working diligently to ensure that these new policies and procedures are in place and that child care staff receive training on the enhanced guidelines prior to their re-opening. Both Bruce County and the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit have been working in partnership with local operators and will continue to provide on-going support to them as licensed child care programs re-open.

“Providing childcare for children in our community is a priority. We appreciate the dedication shown by licensed childcare providers to ensure the enhanced safety guidelines are in place for children, families and childcare staff,” says Bruce County Warden Mitch Twolan.

Examples of the enhanced health and safety requirements, include:
1. Children and staff in childcare centres will be limited to groups of 10 or less;
2. All staff and children must be screened prior to entry to the childcare setting. Anyone feeling unwell must stay home;
3. All childcare settings will be required to have a plan in place if a child, parent or staff member/provider is exposed to COVID-19;
4. Providers must keep daily records of all attendees to support contact tracing;
5. Childcare settings must be thoroughly cleaned before opening and frequently thereafter;
6. Only essential visitors are permitted entry into the childcare setting; and
7. Drop-off and pick-up protocols must be implemented in a way that facilitates physical distancing.

Families are encouraged to reach out to their child care provider to obtain further information regarding their re-opening date. Families who do not currently have a child care provider can apply for child care online through One-List Bruce County.

source: media release, Bruce County