Transportation

All EarlyON Centre staff and students on educational placement are required to wear medical masks or N95 masks (may be non-fit-tested). Eye protection should be used as per occupational health and safety requirements. Eye protection for drivers should not interfere with the safe operation of vehicles and is intended to protect drivers during close contact, such as during boarding and exiting.

Training, where appropriate as per occupational health and safety requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, should be provided to ensure that health and safety measures to protect against COVID‑19 are understood, followed and enforced in all transportation settings.

  • Vehicles should follow an enhanced cleaning protocol of disinfecting high-touch surfaces (for example, handrails, seatbacks) at least twice daily.
  • Transportation service providers should also consider the health and safety guidance during COVID‑19 for student transportation employers released by the Public Services Health and Safety Association.

Visitors and students on placement

All visitors to the program, including parents, students completing educational placements, or others, are subject to the health and safety protocols outlined above.

EarlyON Centre providers are expected to have a process in place to validate the screening of visitors. The number of visitors indoors should be limited to the ability to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres.

Ministry staff and other public officials (for example, fire marshal, public health inspectors) are permitted to enter and inspect an EarlyON Centre, and premises at any reasonable time.

Students on educational placements are permitted to complete their placements at multiple EarlyON Centre locations.

At the advice of the local public health unit, EarlyON Centre providers may be asked to restrict visitor access.

Safe sign-in procedures

EarlyON Centres must develop policies and procedures for safe sign-ins including establishing how physical distancing can be maintained.

Pre-registering for programs and services ahead of time helps to promote safe and timely sign-ins for children and families. Further suggestions to promote safe in person sign-ins include:

  • display signage at the entrance explaining hand hygiene, physical distancing, symptom screening and usage of masks (as applicable)
  • consider using signage/markings on the ground to direct families through the entry, where to wait, and how to exit
  • encouraging one-way traffic flow throughout the space
  • encourage hand hygiene by providing hand sanitizer containing 60%-90% alcohol content at the entrance with signage demonstrating appropriate use (see how to wash your hands)
  • conduct frequent cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces
  • if storage for personal items is required (for example, strollers, diaper bags, etc.) it is recommended that policies be developed to promote physical distancing when accessing the space as well as regular cleaning

Equipment and toy usage and restrictions

The ministry understands that in an EarlyON Centre setting, equipment and toys may be required to deliver programs or services. The following requirements should be followed regarding the use of toys and equipment:

  • EarlyON Centre care providers are encouraged to provide toys and equipment which are made of materials that can be cleaned and disinfected (for example, avoid plush toys) as much as possible
  • mouthed toys should be cleaned and disinfected immediately after the child is finished using them
  • if sensory materials (for example, playdough, water, sand, etc..) are offered, emphasis should be placed on hand hygiene before and after the use of materials

Outdoor play

EarlyON Centre providers should schedule outdoor play by groups in order to facilitate physical distancing between groups/cohorts as much as possible, however, children are not required to wear masks.

EarlyON Centre providers should find alternate outdoor arrangements (for example, community walk) when there are challenges securing outdoor play space. EarlyON Centre providers should follow physical distancing practices when possible.

Space set-up and physical distancing

Physical distancing between children in an early years setting can be difficult to maintain; however, it is an important strategy that should be encouraged whenever possible.

It is also important to maintain a welcoming and caring environment for children. Please see building on how does learning happen? for more support and ideas on how to provide an engaging environment while physically distancing.

More than one child care or early years program or day camp can be offered per building/space as long as they are able to maintain separation between the groups/cohorts and follow all health and safety requirements that apply to those programs. Physical barriers (which begin at the floor and reach a minimum height of eight feet) are not required if a distance of two metres can be maintained.

When in the same common space (for example, entrances and hallways), physical distancing of at least two metres must be maintained between different groups and should be encouraged, as much as possible, between children within the same group by:

  • spreading children out into different areas, particularly at snack time
  • incorporating more individual activities or activities that encourage more space between children
  • using visual cues to promote physical distancing

In shared outdoor space, children are required to stay within their groups, and physical distancing is strongly encouraged between groups as much as possible.

Recognizing that physical distancing is difficult with small children and infants, additional suggestions include:

  • planning activities for smaller groups when using involve shared objects or toys
  • when possible, moving activities outside to allow for more space
  • singing is permitted indoors, as follows:
    • As much distance as possible should be encouraged and use of large, well-ventilated spaces should be prioritized.
    • For children grade 1 and up, masking is required and as much distancing as possible maintained between individuals

Ventilation

EarlyON Centre providers are encouraged to implement best practices and measures to optimize ventilation (see Public Health Ontario’s guidance: heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings and COVID‑19). Adequate ventilation should be provided by opening windows, moving activities outdoors when possible and through mechanical ventilation including HVAC systems.

  • Ensure HVAC systems are in good working condition.
  • Keep areas near HVAC inlets and outlets clear.
  • Arrange furniture away from air vents and high airflow areas.
  • Avoid re-circulating air.

Food and drink provision

EarlyON Centre providers should follow regular food preparation guidelines. Where possible, children and their parents/caregivers should practice physical distancing while eating.

Providers may want to consider the following best practices regarding food and drink provision:

  • promoting proper hand hygiene before and after eating
  • promoting safe masking practices before and after eating, including safely storing their mask when not in use
  • ensuring there are no buffet or self-serve methods of providing food or drink
  • ensuring that there is no sharing of food items among participants

Mental health

The ministry recognizes the detrimental impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic on children’s mental health and well-being. The ministry’s Building on how does learning happen? supports the operation of early years and child care programs in Ontario during COVID‑19. It provides information on how early years settings can support the social and emotional health and wellbeing of children and families, in addition to safe and healthy environments.

Early years and child care program providers are also encouraged to collaborate with child and youth mental health agencies to support strong connections and make the best use of mental health resources and supports across the integrated system of care.