Most childcare and early years sectors to remain open, operating during province-wide shutdown

What does the province-wide shutdown mean for Ottawa’s childcare and early years sectors?

In a memo to council Thursday evening from Donna Gray, general manage of the community and social services department, children’s service was pleased to hear that centre-based and home child care can remain open during the shutdown, which kicks off on Saturday, December 26.

“There are no impacts to directly operated municipal child cares who continue to offer child care to children zero to four years old,” Gray said. “Spaces are available and families are encouraged to register on the Child Care Registry and Waitlist if they are looking for child care options.”

However, during the period of January 4 to the 8, licensed centre-based school-age and before and after school programs will be prohibited from offering care and charging fees while elementary schools are operating virtually.

The Ministry, she says, has confirmed that school-age children attending licensed home child care can continue to access care as these programs are not impacted by the lockdown.

Gray added, “The Ministry of Education is implementing a targeted emergency child care program for school-aged children, at no cost to eligible parents based on the provincial list to assist those who are not able to support their child’s learning/care at home during that week.”

Children’s Services is also working with local non-for-profit child care service providers, Ottawa Public Health and the school boards to determine how emergency childcare can be implemented in Ottawa.

A centralized registration system will not be launched due to insufficient timing, the announcement says.

Eligible parents are encourage to contact their existing service provider/school if emergency childcare is needed and they meet the provincial list of eligible workers.

As for all EarlyON Child and Family Centres, they are required to close for in-person, indoor and outdoor programming until Saturday, January 23.

EarlyON Centres need to continue offering vital services, where possible so virtual programming remains the safest way to deliver those programs and services to kids and families during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.