County offering emergency child care for eligible frontline workers

GUELPH – The County of Wellington is back in the emergency child care business.

With the Ontario government moving the province into a modified version of step two of its Roadmap to Reopen plan as of Jan. 5, the Ministry of Education announced that emergency child care will be made available to school aged children (ages 4 to 12) of health care professionals and other eligible frontline workers at no cost to families.

As part of the new COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, aimed at slowing the spread of the Omicron variant, all schools will pivot to remote learning until at least Jan, 17.

All licensed before and after school care, school board operated and authorized recreation and skill building programs will also be closed during this time.

The county announced on Jan. 5 it is working with licensed child care operators in Guelph and Wellington County to offer an Emergency School Age Child Care Program.

The county has operated a similar program during previous school closures and lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Care will be offered through existing licensed programs and participating licensed home child care providers,” officials state in a press release.

For more information on eligibility, locations and to apply, visit wellington.ca/EmergencyChildCare.

Reporter