Today we sent a letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce expressing our concern with the December 30th updated guidelines.

"These new, and weakened, guidelines will have deep implications for Ontario’s children, families, ECEs and child care providers/staff, who will face increasing isolation periods without access to testing, increased financial uncertainty without increased provincial support, and a complete lack of protection and respect for their health and well-being. The child care sector has gone above and beyond to pivot, adapt, and support Ontario’s children and families. This downloading of responsibility disrespects their hard work and Ontario’s children and families.

We urge the Ministry of Education to:
• Ensure that all children, families, and educators in Ontario’s child care and education systems can access timely, publicly-funded, PCR tests
• Source additional RATs to ensure all children, families, ECEs and child care providers/staff have immediate access to RATs through their child care program, distributed by the Province
• Support transparency by continuing reporting of COVID-19 cases in the child care sector
• Immediately increase financial support to licensed child care programs to support staff recruitment and retention, including addressing low wages and challenging working conditions, and offset family fees during isolation periods
• Expedite the distribution of N95 masks to the child care sector
• Ensure access to 10 permanent paid sick days to support educators and families with mandatory isolation periods"

We encourage you to contact your MPP and share your concerns as well. Together, we are stronger.

To read and share the full letter, click here.