Reopening Early Learning and Child Care for Operators
The Children’s Services Division is the service system manager for early learning and child care in Durham Region. We continue to work with the Durham Region Health Department and the Ministry of Education to ensure the safe reopening of licensed child care. As such, we continue to provide operators with helpful information and resources, such as the Reopening Toolkit.
Select the “Receive email updates” button at the bottom of this page to be notified of updates.
Sample health and safety policies and PPE application
| Sample health and safety policies |
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The policies below are samples that operators may use to guide their reopening policy development. They are not mandatory.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) application |
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If your licensed child care centre requires additional personal protective equipment (PPE), please submit a completed PPE application form. |
Children's Services COVID-19 Early Learning Updates
The Children’s Services Division is committed to keeping licensed child care operators apprised of changes impacting licensed child care services in Durham Region throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
- COVID-19 early learning update - April 8, 2021
- COVID-19 early learning update - March 12, 2021
- COVID-19 early learning update - February 23, 2021
- COVID-19 early learning update - February 19, 2021
- COVID-19 early learning update - February 5, 2021
- COVID-19 early learning update - January 29, 2021
- COVID-19 early learning update - January 26, 2021
- COVID-19 early learning update - January 9, 2021
- COVID-19 early learning update - December 21, 2020
- COVID-19 early learning update - October 27, 2020
- Instruction for individuals tested for COVID-19 - November17, 2020
- Masking Memo for Child Care Sector - August 13, 2020
- Acquisition de couvre-visages et distrution aux services de garde d'enfants et aux programmes de la petite enfance - La 13 août 2020
- Memo to Operators re. Extension to Emergency Child Care for School Aged Children - January 2021
- Appendix A - Operational Guidance During COVID-19 - January 2021
Financial Supports during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Children's Services Division encourages licensed child care operators and providers to visit Invest Durham for updated financial support information. This website includes a variety of government and non-government funding programs, as well as links to funding, calculators, financial resources, and business supports.
Operating licensed child care
| Opening a child care centre |
You can find information about opening a child care centre on the Ministry of Education website. |
| Wage enhancement |
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On December 15, 2016, the Ministry of Education gave direction to The Regional Municipality of Durham to roll out the Wage Enhancement Program in Durham Region. To get more information, go to the Ministry of Education website. The Ministry of Education's wage enhancement goals and focus are to:
These were essential considerations used to develop the process and expectations set out by the Region of Durham. We will support operators with the application process. Operators must apply every year to get this funding. If an operator does not complete the application the operator's organization will not receive an allocation. All operators must submit a Wage Enhancement Attestation form in December to continue to receive monthly payments to pay employees. New operators wanting to apply for funding can contact the Wage Enhancement Team by email WageEnhancement@durham.ca or by phone at 1-800-387-0642 ext. 3782 and request an application. If you need help, you can contact the Wage Enhancement Team by email WageEnhancement@durham.ca or by phone at 1-800-387-0642 ext. 3782. Please note: individuals may not apply. Individuals asking about their share of wage enhancement must fill in the Wage Enhancement Inquiry form. |
| Purchase of Service-Fee Subsidy application process |
The most important thing is that children and families in Durham have good quality, safe, child care and early learning programs. Operators can contact the Children's Services, Early Learning Team to enquire about a Purchase of Service. Please call the Early Learning Secretary for assistance at 906-668-4113 ext. 2691. Before moving ahead with the Purchase of Service application process, the Children's Services Division will consider factors such as community need and if the child care operator has had a clear license with the Ministry of Education for at least six months. If these factors are met, an application will be forwarded to the operator. Once the application is received, a budget check and Quality Assurance inspection of the site will occur and a full review will take place to determine if a Purchase of Service Agreement will be granted. The full process can take up to a year to complete. We will send a letter to the operator with the result.
The Durham Region Fee Subsidy Payment Policy is available for more information. |
| General Operating Program (GOP) |
Licensed child care centres and home child care agencies, that are approved for a Purchase of Service Fee Subsidy Service Agreement in Durham, qualify for the General Operating Program. |
| Durham Region's Operating Criteria (DROC) |
InfantToddlerPreschoolBefore and After SchoolPlaygroundNutrition
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| Special Purpose Funding opportunities |
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| Forms and fee subsidy payment policy |
Durham Region Health Department inspection information
The Health Department inspects all licensed child care centres in Durham Region to prevent the spread of illness. We provide information, control outbreaks and respond to complaints.
| Application package for child care centres (new or altered spaces) |
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| Child care educational resources |
Wee Care ManualWee Care Manual Survey Results
If your centre doesn't have a manual, please contact your area public health inspector. The manual has information about:
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| Infection control practices |
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Use these guides for preventing the spread of germs in your centre and to help your staff follow correct infection control practices:
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| Outbreak management and reporting in child care settings |
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Experiencing an outbreak or suspected outbreak in a child care setting
Report an outbreak in a child care setting If this online reporting form is not available, please contact the Durham Health Connection Line. For after-hours public health emergencies, please call 905-576-9991 and ask to speak to the public health inspector on call. Use the following resources to prevent outbreaks and to detect when they occur: |
| Keeping hands clean |
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You can stop the spread of germs and reduce your risk of getting sick by keeping your hands clean. |
| Cleaning and disinfection |
Use the resources below to make sure you are cleaning and disinfecting correctly: |
| Animals and child care centres |
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Animals can offer a valuable learning experience, but can also expose children and staff to infections and injuries, and are a source of allergens. Children can develop infections from animals. Younger children, under age five, are at a higher risk. |
| Wee Care newsletter |
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Other resources |
Contact Us
Environmental Health Line
101 Consumers Dr.
Whitby, ON L1N 1C4
T.: 905-723-3818
Toll Free:: 1-888-777-9613
F.: 905-666-1887
Email Health Department
