EXCERPTS
Child care centres being considered to accommodate the needs of essential service workers will be required to be in compliance with applicable zoning, health and safety legislation. This includes all requirements within the Early Leaning and Child Care Act and Regulations. These centres are subject to inspection at any time.
These centres will not be permitted to operate if they are within close proximity to a vulnerable population (e.g. community care facilities). In addition to these requirements, these centres must adhere to additional public health measures. These measures are listed below.
The centre will be required to close if either a child or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), or any other imminent health hazard, at the discretion of a public health official.
If a child or staff member starts to show symptoms of illness, the Chief Public Health Office (902-368-4996) is to be notified immediately.
General information regarding COVID-19 is available on the following Government of PEI website.
Required Public Health Measures:
1) The maximum capacity permitted to congregate in any one room shall not exceed 5 people (staff and children). If siblings are present, they are to be in the same group of 5 children. Infants, as well as immune-compromised children and staff, are not permitted in these centres. The licensing requirement for child/staff ratios must be maintained at all times. The room size must accommodate social distancing of 2 metres (6 feet) for everyone in the space.
2) Any child, employee or parent experiencing symptoms of illness is not permitted to enter these centres. Symptoms to look for include, but are not limited to, fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, and a general feeling of being unwell.
- If a child develops symptoms while at the facility, the child is to be isolated in a separate room or area where the required social distancing of 2 metres (6feet) from other children can be maintained. The parent is to be notified to pick up the child immediately.
- If the child requires close contact and care, staff members can continue to care for the child until the parent arrives. Staff members should be mindful of handwashing and avoid contact with the respiratory secretions of the child.
- All items, bedding, toys etc. used by the child that day must be removed from the play area and sanitized, or sanitized in place.
- The centre is to have an ear thermometer as well as disposable thermometer probe covers that must be changed between each child.
3) Arrival and departure of children from these centres must be coordinated or scheduled to ensure social distancing of 2 metres (6feet) can be achieved so as to reduce the potential for close contact between children and/or parents.
4) Parents must be reminded, through visible signage (posters) at the centre and when children are first registered for the centre, to check children’s temperatures daily before coming to the centre.
- For reference, normal temperatures are:
- Mouth: 35.5-37.5°C (95.9-99.5°F)
- Underarm: 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F)
- Ear: 35.8-38.0°C (96.4-100.4°F)