Child care centres are re-opening after COVID. You may not know whether to jump for joy or worry yourself sick. You have been following all the ways to help reduce the virus spread and kept your family safe at home and now it’s time to send your little ones back in to the world.
Child care centres can re-open if they follow a number of safety protocols including:
- Limiting numbers
- Screening staff and children for symptoms
- Cleaning the centre before opening and during the day
- Training staff on COVID-19
A detailed list of all of the requirements can be found on the Ontario website.
Tips to help protect your child(ren):
- Talk to your child care centre to find out what they are doing to stay safe
- Follow the physical distancing guidelines during pick up and drop off
- As soon as you get home, thoroughly wash your child’s hands with soap and water, change and launder their clothing and if possible, give them a shower or bath
- Don’t send your child to the centre if they or anyone else in your family has symptoms
- Label all of your child’s personal belongings to help ensure that no one else uses them
- Remember that this is a stressful time for everyone and rules and requirements may change often as new information becomes available
Children thrive when they interact with other children. Having our children learn, play and socialize with other children will help their mental, emotional and physical development. All of the new restrictions and requirements will help keep the children and staff safe but there is no guarantee that they will not be exposed to COVID-19. It’s your decision whether or not to send your child back to child care. You will need to weigh the benefits and the risks and make a decision that is best for your family.
If you have questions about child care and COVID-19, please call Toronto Public Health (416) 338-7600.
For more information:
- COVID-19: reopening child care centres
- Support for families
- Toronto & COVID-19 info
- Licenced child care in Toronto
