Update: May 6th 2020

Dear families and providers, 


The most recent announcement does not come as a surprise, as we know, our provincial leaders are following the best medical advice available at this time. As a community, we need to continue social distancing. 


Currently, seven of our home child care programs are open and operating for the sole purpose of emergency care. The provincial government is funding this care, and as such, there are specific policies and protocols in place. Families are required to apply for emergency care through Hastings County. Placements are offered based on employment priority and availability. 


At this time, all of our Emergency Child Care spaces have billed filled. Hastings County is compiling a waitlist in case another provider chooses to open their program or a space becomes otherwise available. To access the emergency child care application/survey, click here. If you have questions concerning your application or your place on the waitlist, it is recommended you call the Child Care Services intake line @ 613-771-9630 or 1-866-414-0300. 


Working directly with our local health authorities, we have created and implemented policies to mitigate risks associated with providing child care during this time. Policies including: 

• Daily active screening of all providers and their family members (in their home). 
• Baseline testing is currently being completed for all asymptomatic home child care providers. 
• Daily active screening of all child care clients and their families (whom they live with).
• Increased sanitary protocols: handwashing, cleaning toys/frequent touchpoints, remove soft surfaces such as blankets and stuffies from the playroom.
• We are reducing ratios (striving for no more than three families accessing each home child care program). 
• To learn what else we're doing, you can visit our COVID-19 page here. 

It has been roughly two months since our worlds turned upside down. There is incredible uncertainty surrounding when the economy will reopen. As an agency, we are thankful for the opportunity, although it's a little frightening, to offer emergency care to frontline workers. 
 
 To our families, child care providers and community members, "stay safe, stay healthy, and enjoy the extra family time if you're able."  


Kindest regards, 
The Little Lambs Team