Covid-19 Safety Guidelines 2022

ISSUED BY: RURAL FAMILY CONNECTIONS UPDATED LAST: MAY 2022

In order to support the health and safety of our providers and families, the following information provides recommendations for home childcare providers to follow as children return to daycare in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The guidelines have been created in conjunction with information from the Ministry of Education and Ottawa Public Health (OPH) case managers and may change as the Covid-19 pandemic evolves and new information is brought forward. It is important to note that home childcare providers in Ottawa MUST follow the recommendations from Ottawa Public Health.

Home Childcare Providers

Home Childcare Providers will NOT open if:

  1. Home Childcare Provider or any household member(s) are symptomatic.

  2. Home Childcare Provider, child or any household member(s) tests positive for Covid-19.

  3. Home Childcare Provider or any household member(s) has returned from international travel in the last 14 days and has been told to quarantine upon arrival to Canada. Home Childcare will be required to close for 14 days beginning on the day they arrive in Canada.

Home Childcare Providers MAY reopen if:

  1. Covid-19 is ruled out and the usual illness policy and the procedure is followed.

  2. Home Childcare Provider and/or household member(s) have stayed home and self-isolated for 14 days after returning from travel.

  3. Home Childcare Provider followed all recommendations from OPH and has been in touch with the Home Childcare Consultant AND Ottawa Public Health says you are allowed to reopen.

    Cleaning & Safety Practices

    Home Childcare Providers will continue to:

    • Clean and disinfect all spaces twice daily including: equipment regularly used, food prep areas, food, dishware/utensils, bathrooms, vehicles transporting children, toys/crafts, and frequently touched surfaces (e.x doorknobs, light switches, taps, toilet handles, electronics, phone, TV remote, tabletops, etc) in accordance to local public health direction and advice.

    • Food is prepared and served to children by Providers with utensils, not fingers. No self-serve or food sharing at snack/meal times. Children should not be bringing food or snacks into the Home Childcare. Exceptions to this include: infant food, formula/breast milk and food for children with life-threatening food allergies. All items MUST be labelled.

    • Not share items such as: bottles, sippy cups, utensils, salt shakers, face cloths, hand towels, etc.

    • Practice social distancing while eating and sleeping, if possible. Children play outdoors when possible.

    • Providers and children follow appropriate regular hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, especially at snacks/meals.

    • Provide masks and eye protection for children, staff and childcare and volunteers and students on educational placements, if requested.

    • Providers should use blankets or cloths over clothing when feeding/burping infants and change the blankets between children.

      Pre-Screening Form

      Home Childcare Providers, children and visitors must complete these two forms before coming to childcare.

      1. Pre-Screening Form: (every day)

    • Home Provider Pre-Screening Form

    • Parent/Child Pre-Screening Form

      2. Notice of Risk Form: (prior to children beginning or returning to childcare.)

      The Pre-Screening Form will help you determine if you or your child should go to childcare or stay home and what to do next.

      Childcare staff/providers and children with any new or worsening symptom of Covid-19, even those with ONLY one symptom, must stay home until: 

      1. They receive a negative Covid-19 test result, no fever and are feeling well enough to return to childcare.

      2. They receive an alternate diagnosis by a healthcare professional.

      3. It has been 10 days since their onset and they are feeling better.

      Covid-19 Symptoms:

    • Chills and/or fever of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher

    • Cough NOT related to other known causes or conditions

    • Shortness of breath

    • Decrease or loss of taste or smell

    • Sore throat, stuffy nose and/or runny nose

    • Headache that is new or unusual

    • Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea 

    • Fatigue, lethargy, muscle aches and/or malaise

      If your child becomes ill at childcare Providers must:

    • Separate child from others, in a separate room, if possible.

    • Contact parents or guardians to arrange for pick-up of symptomatic children.

    • Supervise symptomatic children who are separated from others when the parent/guardian arrives.

For more information please contact us.