COVID-19 and Employers
As the regulator for the early childhood education profession, we are keeping a close eye on the COVID-19 situation. We are communicating regularly with government and Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) to share information and provide needed support. We also wish to be helpful to you by sharing resources to assist you in keeping your staff, children and their families safe.
College Updates and Resources
Returning to On-site Work – a Special Series for RECEs
January 5, 2022 – Letter to the Minister of Education and Minister of Health on COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures for Child Care
January 15, 2021 – Letter to Public Health on COVID-19 Vaccination for RECEs Providing Child Care
June 12, 2020 – Letter to Minister Lecce on Re-opening Child Care
June 12, 2020 – Statement on the Re-opening of Child Care
April 20, 2020 – Letter to Minister Hussen Expressing Concerns on the Sustainability of Licensed Child Care
April 8, 2020 – Letter to Minister Lecce Expressing Concerns on the Sustainability of Licensed Child Care
Government Announcements
As of August 18, 2021, individuals aged 12 or older, as well as youth born in 2009 or earlier, are eligible to book a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appointment to get their first or second dose through the provincial booking system, their local public health unit, pharmacies, or can walk-in to vaccination clinics across Ontario.
Federal Announcements:
October 21, 2021 – Prime Minister announces standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel
April 21, 2021 – $10 a Day Child Care for Canadian Families
Provincial Announcements:
November 22, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Bookings to Open For All Children Aged Five to 11
October 5, 2021 – Targeted COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Screening to Keep Students Safe
May 21, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Booking Expanding to Youth 12+ Ahead of Schedule
May 17, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Booking Expanding to Ontarians 18+ Ahead of Schedule. Province Invites All Adults to Schedule Their First Dose Appointment.
April 27, 2021 – Ontario Expands COVID-19 Vaccination Booking to Individuals 45 and Over in Hot Spot Communities. Licensed Child Care Workers Across Ontario Eligible to Book Vaccine Appointments This Week
April 19, 2021 – Ontario Safely Expands Age Eligibility for AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine to 40+
April 15, 2021 – Ontario Announces Emergency Child Care for Critical Frontline Workers
April 7, 2021 – Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order
April 1, 2021 – Ontario Implements Provincewide Emergency Brake
March 5, 2021 – Ontario Ready to Rollout Phase Two of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. Reach out to your local public health unit for more information about eligibility and scheduling an appointment: https://www.phdapps.health.gov.on.ca/phulocator/.
February 26, 2021 – Ontario Takes Action to Support Working Families and Improve Child Care
February 7, 2021 – Ontario Expands Emergency Child Care to More Frontline Workers
January 12, 2021 – Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 Crisis and Save Lives
September 11, 2020 – Ontario Launches COVID-19 School and Licensed Child Care-specific Web Page
September 3, 2020 – Governments Extend Child Care Funding to Support Working Parents
August 7, 2020 – Historic Agreement Delivers Over $230 Million for Child Care
Government Resources
Before and After School Programs Operational Guidance
Government of Canada’s Guidance Documents – check regularly for updates
Government of Ontario Provides Employers with Workplace Safety Guidelines – check regularly for updates
How Does Learning Happen? – Pedagogical Approaches for Reopening Child Care
Immunization Disclosure Policy and Health and Safety Updates
Information on Child Care and the Early Years
Learning at Home for Ontario’s Students
Ontario Government’s Webpage on COVID-19 – check regularly for updates
Operational Guidance During COVID-19 Outbreak Child Care Re-Opening
Resource guide for licensed child care. Covid-19 immunization disclosure policy
Third-party Resources
COVID-19: Precautions When Working As A Childcare Provider (PSHSA)
COVID PPE HELP Network for personal protective needs
Financial Supports Available to Small Businesses (ECCDC)
Health and Safety Guidance During COVID-19 For Employers of Child Care Centres
The Hanen Centre’s Childcare After COVID-19: Balancing Precautions While Building Interactions