We know that ECEs and early years staff have been working diligently over the last 9 months under new and challenging circumstances to ensure the health and well-being of children, while providing exceptional care and education. We are deeply concerned by the lack of acknowledgement of ECEs, early years staff and the early childhood education and care sector in the Province's recent announcement of a provincial lockdown.

We have been hearing from many of you about your concerns with both the decision to keep childcare open and the lack of communication and transparency, but also the timing of the announcement, which leaves many of you in uncertain circumstances. We have shared these concerns in our conversations with Ministry staff, and also in a letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce. We encourage you as well to share your concerns directly with the Ministry at [email protected].