The information contained on this site is applicable for administrators of:
- Licensed childcare centres
- Licensed home child care providers
- Before and After School Programs
- EarlyON Child and Family Centres
If you are looking for guidance for a child or staff member who has symptoms of COVID-19, visit our Individuals with Symptoms, Positive Cases, and Close Contacts webpage for next steps. For additional information, please refer to the Ontario Ministry of Health Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario Document.
Child care centres can become a place where illnesses transmit easily between children and staff, resulting in respiratory and enteric outbreaks. It is the duty of each childcare centres, before and after school programs, and Early ON and Family centres to ensure infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices are in place and that regular surveillance of children and staff is conducted.
Suspected reportable or communicable illnesses are required to be reported to the Health Unit to prevent further spread by calling 519-258-2146 ext. 1420 or 1555. The Guide to Common Infections can help to support you in the management of a child/staff attending your facility who have a communicable disease.
When a childcare centre administrator determines that they have >20% absenteeism (children and staff) or if there is a concern of high absenteeism in a cluster/classroom, they must fill out the online School and Childcare Centre Absenteeism Reporting Form on our website.