City of Ottawa looking to expand emergency child care for frontline workers

The City of Ottawa says its Children's Services department is working with local not-for-profit child care service providers, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and school boards to determine how emergency child care can be implemented and offered in Ottawa.

Starting Monday, January 10, the Government of Ontario is set to re-introduce a time-limited targeted Emergency Child Care program for school-aged children to support frontline workers by providing their children with a subsidized, licensed child care space so they can continue to deliver critical services.

The city says it launched an expression of interest process was to not-for-profit service providers on Tuesday to determine what capacity is available in the city.

Prioritized families looking for emergency child care are encouraged to continue monitoring the city's Apply for Child Care web page. 

The city's approved list of child care service providers is expected to be added over the weekend, subject to provincial approvals. To streamline access to service, the city adds that prioritized families should directly contact these approved service providers for immediate placement. Service providers will work collaboratively with families to assess eligibility and help assist in the placement process. 

Residents are invited to contact 3-1-1 or childrensservices@ottawa.ca for more information.