Emergency Child Care
Following the directive of the Government of Ontario, The Regional Municipality of Durham is offering emergency child care to eligible health care and frontline workers, at no cost. Emergency child care services are being offered for children from birth to 12 years old and is reserved exclusively for eligible health care and frontline workers who have no other alternatives. The safest option for your family is to have children remain at home if possible.
Learn more about impacts to Regional programs and services due to COVID-19.
| What is emergency child care? |
| Emergency child care is being offered to eligible workers, as directed by the Government of Ontario. On March 17, the Government of Ontario issued a state of emergency, calling for the mandatory closure of all licensed child care sites. The emergency child care centres will be exempt from this order and alter their regular services to offer 24-hour care, when needed, for children ages birth to 12 years of age. There is no cost for eligible workers. |
| Who is eligible? |
| Eligible workers are those who do not currently have accessible care arrangements for their child/ren and who are required to work outside the home to perform their duties. As space is limited, only those eligible and without current child care options will qualify.
The Government of Ontario has provided a list of eligible workers. The list includes workers in healthcare, correctional services, paramedics, police officers, fire fighters, and other essential workers. A full list can be found at the website: https://forms.durham.ca/Emergency-Child-Care-List-of-Workers For workers who are eligible according to the list of eligible workers (above) and who currently pay for formal licensed home child care, please contact our office to discuss funding eligibility. |
| Determining priority access for emergency child care |
|
Due to limited spaces, The Regional Municipality of Durham will commit to child care spaces for eligible families on a first come, first serve basis. If the level of demand exceeds the Region's ability to provide care, the Region will prioritize child care space for frontline health care workers and first responders. |
| Which child care operators are offering care? |
| Select Regional Municipality of Durham Early Learning and Child Care Centres will be offering care, in addition to licensed child care operators in the community. This will include licensed centre and home programs. Results of a local needs assessment will identify areas where care is required, which will determine which centres will be open. |
| How do I apply? |
| Applications are being conducted online, through the Durham Region website.
To complete this application, you will need to provide:
If you require assistance completing this form, contact 905-668-7711 extension 2786. |
| Can I apply to my regular child care centre? |
| No. Not all licensed child care sites in Durham Region will be offering emergency child care.
Applications are only being accepted online. |
| What is being done to keep children safe? |
| To reduce the risk of transmission, all centres and homes offering emergency child care must comply with the licensing standards as issued in the Early Years and Child Care Act, 2014. In addition, stringent policies have been mandated to enhance daily practices, including: screening, surveillance, sanitizing practices, and protocols if a child or staff have symptoms. All centres will have reduced ratios, with no more than six children per room with two educators. |
| What screening will take place? |
| Each adult and child will be screened each time they enter the child care location. The following questions will be asked:
Children:
Adults:
Staff will also be screened daily for all the above. |
| If I have several children in my family will they be separated by age groups like regular group child care? |
| No. We will be using family groupings for child care. Small groups of children, with no more than six in a group. If you have several children in your family, they will be placed in a room together. |
| What will happen if a child in care is displaying symptoms of COVID-19?? |
| If COVID-19 or any other infectious disease is suspected, the parent will be contacted immediately, and the child will be isolated from the other children and supervised until the parent arrives. Staff will ensure that the child is as comfortable as possible. Durham Region Health Department will be consulted immediately. All parents will be notified. A note will also be posted at the site for at least seven days notifying parents of the situation. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at the centre, the children and staff will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days. |
| What if I am ineligible? |
| If you are ineligible, but require licensed child care, you are encouraged to reach out to licensed home child care agencies in Durham Region. These agencies are also exempt from the order of mandatory closures.
Wee Watch Ajax / Pickering Intake: Shannan - 905-479-9671 or shannan@weewatch.com Nicole - 905-686-4816 or nicolegm@weewatch.com Wee Watch Oshawa Kim or Joyce - 905-433-0558 Wee Watch Whitby Zeena - 905-686-3995 ext. 0 Circles in the Sun Margot - 416-694-0414 Compass Home Child Care Louise - 437-236-5850 |
| What if I have questions? |
| If you have questions, contact the Children’s Services Division at 905-668-7711 extension 2786. |
Early Learning and Child Care Service Plan: 2018-2022
Find early learning programs and child care in your neighbourhood
The Children's Services Division strives to meet the diverse needs of children, families and the people who work with them. We support:
- Families who need help with the daily cost of child care.
- Children with special concerns and needs in licensed child care.
- Educators and child care operators.
- Families looking for licensed child care in the community or in our Regional Early Learning and Child Care Centres.
- Families looking for EarlyON programs.
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