Resources for Child Care Centres and Day Camps

Please refer to Region of Waterloo Face Coverings webpage for information on face coverings guidance exemptions. There are no restrictions from Public Health on whether any N95 masks that are used must be the ones provided by the Ministry. N95 fit testing is not provided by Public Health and is at the expense of the individual. Various companies that provide this service can be found by searching online.

Masks are no longer required for staff, providers or any other individual (including children) at the child care or on transportation. Eye protection for staff will also no longer be required. As some children, staff/providers may choose to continue to wear masks or eye protection, the government will continue to provide free masks and eye protection.

Many children and staff may choose to continue to wear masks at times, or consistently. We encourage child care operators to promote respectful, welcoming and inclusive practices and communications within their communities.

Child care operators must check federal travel requirements, where upon return from international travel, individuals may need to wear a mask for a given time period. For up-to-date federal travel requirements please refer to COVID-19 Travel: Checklists for requirements and exemptions 

Child Care setting operators are no longer required to report to local public health a child or staff person who becomes sick while attending the child care setting. 

If the threshold of 30 per cent above baseline is hit, child care operators can notify public health by reporting via the Absent Staff and Children Reporting Form for Child Care Centres. Each child care setting should consider what a baseline/normal absenteeism rate would be and report when they reach 30 per cent above that.

The Ministry of Education requires child care settings send a template notification to families about public health measures once absenteeism hits 30 per cent above baseline. This template has been provided to child care settings and will be sent by the child care operator.

Public health is no longer dismissing cohorts or declaring outbreaks in a child care setting for COVID-19. “Significant event” reporting should continue to be reported as per Ministry direction.

Child care operators should refer to the updated COVID-19 Integrated Testing and Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge Guidance.

Children and staff who may have been exposed to COVID-19 at a child care setting are generally not considered close contacts who require isolation given the robust public health measures and layering of controls in place. This includes: daily screening, cohorting, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols and practices, practicing good hand hygiene, and regular supervision. Wearing a properly fitted and well constructed cloth or non-medical mask is encouraged for children two years of age and older. However, specific individuals in those settings may be identified by the case as close contacts based on their prolonged, unprotected, close interactions with the case either in or outside of the setting. 

Child care operators are encouraged to refer and follow the COVID-19 Integrated Testing and Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge Guidance, for close contacts in the community and in households.

• Asymptomatic individuals who are close contacts of a case or a symptomatic individual in the community are no longer required to isolate but must self-monitor for ten days following last exposure. During the self-monitoring period, close contacts must wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid activities where they need to take off their mask.
  • For children under two a well-fitted mask is not required. However, parents must monitor for symptoms for ten days following last exposure
• Asymptomatic household contacts of a case or a symptomatic individual are also not required to isolate if they are 17 or younger and fully vaccinated; 18 and older and have already received their COVID-19 booster; or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and have completed their isolation period.
• Asymptomatic household contacts who are not required to isolate are also required to self-monitor for ten days following last exposure, as outlined above.
  • Children under five who are asymptomatic household contacts are required to stay home for five days 

RAT can be used for child care providers, staff and children if they are experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms.

Please follow the instructions for the specific test kit being used. If the first RAT is negative, please wait 24-48 hours between tests before doing another RAT.

Contact the Ministry of Education for guidance on reporting requirements. There is no requirement to report cases, contacts, or symptomatic children/staff/parents to Public Health nor is Public Health collecting/reporting on positive RAT results from childcare settings.  

Child care operators are no longer required to have a COVID-19 vaccine disclosure policy in place and provincial requirements below are lifted:

• Collecting proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, medical exemptions, or completion of an education program.
• Asymptomatic screening requirements for individuals who do not provide proof of full vaccination.
• Reporting vaccination coverage to the Ministry of Education.

Unvaccinated individuals covered under child care operator’s vaccination policies will no longer be required to undertake rapid antigen screening three times per week.

All child care operators including home child care providers are encouraged to implement best practices and measures to optimize ventilation (see Public Health Ontario’s guidance: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems in Buildings and COVID-19). Adequate ventilation should be provided by opening windows, moving activities outdoors when possible and through mechanical ventilation including HVAC systems.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVACs) and their filters are designed to reduce airborne pollutants, including virus particles, when they circulate through the system.

• Ensure HVAC systems are in good working condition.
• Keep areas near HVAC inlets and outlets clear.
• Arrange furniture away from air vents and high airflow areas.
• Avoid re-circulating air.