Ontario is reopening its childcare centres across Ontario. The province’s plan was announced at Premier Doug Ford’s daily news conference.
“As we prepare to reopen more businesses and services, it is critical that we ensure supports are in place so people can return to work knowing their children will be cared for in a safe and healthy environment,” Ford said.
The province will introduce new rules including the practice of limiting groups of children and staff to 10 or less a day, and screening staff and children prior to entry. Child care settings are to be cleaned before, and after use. “Having children safely re-engage in learning, play, and social activities with other children is of great benefit to their mental, emotional, and behavioural development,” President and CEO of the Hospital for Sick Children said.
“We know the integral role child care plays in the restart of Ontario’s economy especially when it comes to enabling parents to return to work,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said. Staff will be able to immediately re-enter child care facilities, which, will not reopen until strict guidelines have been met.
Emergency child care will wind down effective June 26, 2020. No fees will be charged if parents are unable to return to previous childcare arrangements. Child care centres are reopening across the province regardless of if an area has entered stage 2 of reopening. Overnight camps run by the province will remain closed.
