[Huron County, Ontario] – During the COVID-19 pandemic, the County of Huron, together with the Province of Ontario, recognizes that health care and other essential frontline workers must continue to work. In order to support essential service workers with the care of their children, the County of Huron is collaborating with Relouw Early Childhood Learning Centre in Exeter and Huron County Community Home Childcare program to provide Emergency Licensed Child Care free of charge to essential workers.
Emergency Licensed Child Care services are reserved exclusively for children of eligible essential service workers identified in the Province of Ontario’s List of Workers Eligible for Emergency Child Care, who have exhausted all other alternatives. Available spaces are limited.
The County of Huron has worked closely with Huron-Perth Public Health to develop procedures that are required in the operation of Emergency Licensed Child Care services to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“Through these challenging times, we must continue to do everything we can to ensure our healthcare and other front-line staff have the support they need to continue to work,” says Warden Jim Ginn. “We are expecting child care spaces to begin to open open no later than April 29, 2020 to alleviate some of the strain and stress on these essential service workers.”
The County of Huron will be approving applications for Emergency Licensed child care spaces for eligible families on a first come, first served basis through the submission of an online application available here. For further inquiries or to determine if you qualify for the program, please review the application form or contact childsservice@huroncounty.ca.
For more information on how County of Huron Children’s Services are being maintained throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, please view the Children’s Services Community Resource Guide on the County’s website. This document summarizes the adjustments made to Children’s Services regular operations and services in response to COVID-19.
Huron County continues to urge all residents to practice physical distancing and proper hygiene protocols outlined by the Provincial Medical Officer of Health. Stay informed on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Huron County by visiting the Huron-Perth Public Health website.