Read our current Infectious Disease Policy & most current Revision Summary
August 31, 2022
Please be advised that the Ministry of Health has put out a new screening tool. Families are asked to pay attention to the changes.
The correct tool can be found at
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening
May 9, 2022
Please be advised that the Ministry of Health has put out a new screening tool. Families are asked to pay attention to the changes, in particular the changes surrounding travel.
Thank you.
April 20, 2022
Dear Families
As per recent communication from the York Region Public School Board; we have been advised that due to the sixth wave of COVID-19 and significant faith days, they are anticipating an increase in staff absences on April 22, 2022. As a result, schools may be moving classes to online learning. Among the schools listed, they anticipate that 16thAvenue PS and Henderson PS will be closed to in-person learning on April 22.
As a result, our before and after care programs at 16th Avenue PS and Henderson PS will not operate on April 22.
Full day childcare at 16th Avenue PS will continue to operate.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Respectfully,
Shirley Black
Executive Director.
March 11, 2022
York Region is hosting March Break Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at York Region Schools.
Learn more, find locations and get booked, please visit the York Region Website
January 18, 2022
Re: Closures due to COVID-19
Dear Families,
Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, we expect to face ongoing staffing challenges over the next few months. As always, our priority will be to protect the health, safety and well-being of our educators, volunteers, children, and their families.
Like the schools, we are experiencing COVID-19 related educator shortages and may have to close a program, classroom, or the entire centre due to these absences. Please note, we are required to follow all licensing regulations regarding strict staffing ratios and certification. Unlike the schools we cannot substitute with non-teaching staff in the program, or blend classes to allow for different age groups or higher numbers.
If we are unable to operate in a safe manner, or secure appropriately certified staff, and have to suspend all or a portion of our program; we will make every effort to advise families the night before, although this may not always be possible. Please check your (text messages, emails. etc.) regularly for any last-minute notifications of closures.
We are asking for your understanding and support as we continue to operate through the next few months of the pandemic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your supervisor.
Yours very truly,
Shirley Black
Director,
York Professional Care and Education.
January 4, 2022
York Professional Care & Education will be offering Emergency Child Care for individuals eligible at the following sites:
- Andrew Hunter Child Care Centre – Simcoe County
- *NEW* Hewitts Creek Child Care Centre –Simcoe County – Opening January 10th
- RL Graham Child Care Centre – York Region
- 16th Ave. Child Care Centre – York Region
Based on the region/county you live in, applications can be submitted to:
Simcoe County – https://www.missioninc.com/cso/simcoe/en-ca/services
York Region – child care fee subsidy webpage
January 3, 2022
Emergency Child Care Notice
The Government of Ontario announced today that schools will be closed and pivot to online learning as of January 5th, 2022. As you know we have provided care for students on Monday, January 3rd and Tuesday, January 4th.
At this time, we are awaiting further direction regarding Emergency Child Care for health care and other eligible front-line workers. These locations are yet to be determined.
Please continue to check our website for updated information.
December 31, 2021
Re: Childcare Operation and Return to School
On December 30, 2021 the Government of Ontario announced that all publicly funded schools would reopen on Wednesday January 5, 2022 – rather than Monday January 3, 2022.
The childcare sector has been informed that services may continue with no disruption for families requiring full-day childcare and licensed home childcare.
For school age children who would have accessed before and after school care on January 3-4, 2022; PA-day care is available at the same locations where Winter Break care was offered. Please contact your supervisor to confirm your care needs.
Parents are also advised of the following requirements as per the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health:
a. Masking
The requirement for students in Grade 1 and above to wear a cloth or medical mask remains in place and masking continues to be strongly recommended for kindergarten students.
The government will be providing children with expanded access to free, high quality three-ply cloth masks to be provided to children upon request.
b. Screening
Rigorous screening and monitoring of symptoms by families and staff is critical to limiting transmission and keeping child care programs safe and open. Effective January 2022, child care programs are required to continue daily on-site confirmation of screening for all children and staff until further notice, as an additional layer of protection for students and staff.
In addition, on the recommendation of the OCMOH, a more sensitive COVID-19 symptom list is being reinstated for daily active screening of all children, staff and providers in schools and child care. Anyone who has symptoms suggestive of COVID19 or is a confirmed positive case must self-isolate, regardless of vaccination status. All child care programs are asked to communicate the new school and child care screener changes to staff and families.
If a child or educator is experiencing at least one symptom most commonly associated with COVID-19 or two or more symptoms less commonly associated with COVID-19 they must self-isolate as per public health guidelines. If a child/educator is experiencing only one symptom less commonly associated with COVID-19 they must stay home until their symptom(s) has been improving for 24 hours (48 hours for nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea). The OCMOH is also requiring that household members, including siblings, stay home until the household member experiencing symptom(s) is cleared from their isolation.
We thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation and wish you all a happy start to the New Year.
December 13, 2021
Urgent COVID 19 Update for County of Simcoe!
Due to increased cases of COVID-19 in schools and childcare centres across Simcoe County; the Simcoe County District Health Unit is tightening up control measures.
Effective immediately:
- NEW – Covid-19 testing is now required when symptoms of illness change or new ones present in children who may have an “alternative diagnosis’ for a pre-existing chronic condition on record with us.
- active screening with proof of a negative screen will continue to be in effect upon arrival to our sites in Simcoe County,
- pick-up and drop off must take place outdoors (unless there is an emergency).
Thank you for your continued cooperation.
November 22, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Bookings Now Open for Children Aged 5-11
Effective Tuesday November 23, 2021 at 8:00am, vaccination appointments for children whose age is 5-11 years will be available for booking across Ontario. To book an appointment online, children must be turning five years old by the end of 2021 (born in 2016).
A COVID-19 vaccine booking is available through a variety of channels including the COVID-19 vaccination portal and contact centre, directly through public health units using their own booking system, participating pharmacies which individuals can find on Ontario’s website using the pharmacy locator, and select primary care providers.
Extract from Ontario Government News Release – Quick Facts
- Children aged five to 11 (and turning age five in 2021) will receive the paediatric Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine which is a slightly modified, lower dose (one-third the amount given to individuals aged 12 and over), in a two-dose series at a recommended interval of eight weeks between first and second doses.
- It’s okay to have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Parents, caregivers and children are encouraged to call the Provincial Vaccine Confidence Line that can be accessed by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, or visit COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service to book a confidential phone appointment with a SickKids clinician.
- Parents or caregivers of children aged five to 11 will usually have to provide consent on behalf of the child before or at the time of the appointment.
- As of November 19, nearly 85 per cent of youth aged 12 to 17 have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and more than 80 per cent have received a second dose.
- Unvaccinated people are 24 times more likely to be in the hospital and 43 times more likely to be in the ICU.
- As we head into the colder months and more people gather indoors, the government is enhancing its COVID-19 testing strategy by expanding the number of testing locations and making it more convenient to access publicly funded testing for those who need it.
August 30, 2021
Re: Drop off and pick up, daily health screen and masking
Dear families.
In an effort to keep you current in operational procedures and requirements surrounding Covid-19, from the Ministry of Education; please find the following update regarding drop off and pick up, daily health screen and masking.
While we hoped to open our doors to families wishing to enter the sites for drop off and pick up; YPCE is choosing to continue with our current practice of asking parents to drop off and pick up from the outside. Due to the increasing number of cases being reported daily, an impending 4th wave, and our school partners doing the same; we feel that continuing this practice will offer safety measures in addition to keeping consistent with our established routines, that are familiar to the children.
A new link to the daily health screen will be available this week as a result of revisions to symptoms and directions. All children, educators and essential visitors attending our programs are required to have a completed health screen prior to admission. Please ensure that the new link is used once sent to you as the former will become inactive.
We remind all families that masking is mandatory for all children in grade 1 and up and recommended for children in kindergarten. These masking requirements are in effect while indoors; and outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained. Please ensure your children arrive prepared for the day.
As always, we thank you in advance for you continued cooperation.
Yours truly,
Shirley Black
Executive Director
August 4, 2021
Re: Pick up & Drop Off
Dear families,
Recent updates to the Ministry of Education’s Operational Guidance for Child Care – August 2021, now allows parents and guardians to enter the child care site upon drop off and pick up.
Despite this update , YPCE is choosing to continue with our current practice of asking parents to drop off and pick up from outside. We feel that continuing this practice will offer consistency of our established routines, familiar to the children.
Upon the reopening of schools in September, we will make every effort to open our doors to families wishing to enter the sites. Families may enter the sites upon completion of the mandatory health screen. As we know, the screen is required for every member entering the child care site.
We thank you in advance for you continued cooperation.
Yours truly,
Shirley Black
Executive Director
April 15, 2021
Re: Child Care During Provincial Lockdown and School Closure
To all our families.
Amidst the recent news regarding the provincial lockdown and closures of all publicly funded schools due to COVID-19; our services shall be affected in the following manner:
- Our full day childcare programs will remain open and operating.
- Until further notice, publicly funded elementary school closures shall be in effect Ontario wide. Families whose children would normally receive before and after school care, shall be billed as usual for care received during April 1-9, 2021 and for care signed up for during the April Break. No billing shall occur effective April 19, 2021 until further notice.
- Commencing April 19, 2021, children in Kindergarten to grade 6, whose parents are deemed essential workers may be approved to receive emergency child care at no cost. Families are advised that they must apply through their region, be approved for Emergency Care and use care at an approved site that may not be at a YPCE site. The following links are provided for your convenience.
Links:
County of Simcoe www.simcoe.ca
Region of York www.york.ca
Please continue to visit our website to learn of additional updates.
As always, we thank you for your cooperation as we all see through, this next phase of Covid-19.
Yours very truly,
Shirley Black
As always, we thank you for your cooperation. (click here to read the letter)
Enrollment Package for Targeted Emergency Child Care – (Download Here)
April 12, 2021
Dear Families,
As announced today by Premier Ford and Minister Lecce, schools will be moving to online learning following this week’s Spring Break. A return date has not been established.
As a result of this announcement, our programs will be affected in the following ways:
- All full-day child care programs will remain open
- All before & after school programs will be closed as of Monday, April 19th, 2021.
- Our spring break camps will remain open through Friday, April 16th, 2021.
We are awaiting further guidance regarding Temporary Emergency Care programs for school aged children and will continue to communicate with you as we have more information.
Update February 4, 2021
Dear Families,
As a result of a return to in-class learning please find the following:
- our Before & After School programs in Simcoe County will resume on Monday, February 8, 2021.
- our Before & After School programs in York Region will resume on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
As we reopen; please be reassured that we are working within guidelines provided by the local public health, the Ministry of Education and respective school board requirements. For further information, families may refer to our website for the Infectious Disease and Pandemic Policy re: Covid-19 and Addendum. Parents should also refer to their school website for additional requirements over and above public health recommendations…..READ MORE (Full Letter)
Update February 3, 2021
Hello Adventure Camp & Hidden Bay Families!!!
Hope to find you healthy and well. What a wild year!!
We wanted to reach out to give everyone an update on camp 2021.
At this time we are unsure if we will be able to operate camp in 2021. We are currently awaiting directions from the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Camps Association on if we will be able to operate, and what guidelines, policies and limitations will affect camp operations. Our goal is to open, as long as we are permitted to and can ensure a safe environment for all campers and staff.
We have put work in place to ensure we can follow all current safety guidelines and have modified our camp programs to make them successful. We hope to have a better idea if we can move forward in the coming months.
If you wish to be notified about our programs (and aren’t already a family in a YPCE Child Care Program, a past attendee of Hidden Bay Leadership Camp or Adventure Camp), please bookmark this page as we will update it, along with our social media channels when we have more information to share with families.
Shirley Black
Executive Director
Update January 21, 2021
Dear families.
Please be advised that commencing immediately, all children in grade 1 and up are required to wear a non-medical mask while inside a child care, including hallways. Children in kindergarten are encouraged to wear the mask but are not required to do so.
While outdoors, all children in grade 1 and up are required to wear a non-medical mask when social distancing is not possible. Children in kindergarten are encouraged to wear the mask but are not required to do so.
Please ensure that your child or children arrive to program with a mask(s), so that we may all do our best to remain free of COVID-19.
We thank you for your cooperation.(click here to read the letter)
Update December 26, 2020
Re: Targeted Emergency Child Care for School Age Families
Dear families.
During the week of January 4-8, 2021, elementary school closures shall be in effect Ontario wide. As a service to our families, we hope you find the following information useful.
Families which have parents or guardians working as identified essential workers, and who require care during this week, may be approved to receive targeted emergency child care, at no cost. Those families are encouraged to use the links offered below to apply for childcare during the week of January 4-8, 2021.
Families are advised that they must be approved by the region for Targeted Emergency Care and use care at an approved site that may not be at a YPCE site. As previously stated in our message from December 22, 2020; families whose children would normally receive before and after school care, shall not have fees withdrawn on January 1, 2021, until further notice.
Links:
Please continue to visit our website to learn of additional updates.
As always, we thank you for your cooperation. (click here to read the letter)
Click here for our Enrollment Package for Emergency Child Care
Update December 22, 2020
Re: Child Care During Provincial Lockdown
To all our families.
Amidst the recent news regarding the impending, provincial lockdown due to COVID-19; our services shall be affected in the following manner:
- Our full day childcare programs will remain open and operating throughout the lockdown.
- For the week of January 4-8, 2021, elementary school closures shall be in effect Ontario wide. Families whose children would normally receive before and after school care, shall not have fees withdrawn on January 1, 2021, until further notice.
- Commencing January 4, 2021, children in Kindergarten to grade 6, whose parents are deemed essential workers may be approved to receive targeted emergency child care at no cost. Please continue to visit our website to learn more about this opportunity
As always, we thank you for your cooperation as we all see through, the second phase of Covid-19. (Click here to read the letter)
Update October 22, 2020
Dear Families
Re: Professional Activity Days
We are happy to announce that care Professional Development days, for children in our kindergarten and school age groups, will resume effective immediately. Families will once again be offered the opportunity to sign-up for care in advance of the day to secure a space. Stay tuned for sign up information for upcoming days in November and feel free to speak to your program supervisor.
Update September 29, 2020
Re: Professional Activity Days
Dear Families
Since the reopening of schools on September 8, 2020, YPCE has worked to maintain the safest environments possible for our families and employees. As we navigate the evolving expectations surrounding childcare delivery during COVID 19; we regret that some aspects of our normal delivery model may not be manageable. Currently, one of those aspects is the challenge of providing full day care to children in school, on Professional Activity days…READ THE FULL LETTER
Update September 25, 2020
Dear Families,
Since reopening schools on September 8th, several revisions have come through the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education and local public health. One revision in particular, pertains to the daily health screen that is required by all employees, children, college students and essential visitors entering our sites. While a complete process is indicated in the revised policy; please be reminded that all families are required to complete an electronic health screen, each morning, for ALL children attending any of our programs. This includes: full-day childcare, before school, after school, or before and after school programs, HCC and Early-ON. Children will not be permitted access to care, without a negative health screen completed each morning and on record. Along with revisions, our policy also has a new format and is divided into two parts. For the purposes of guiding families through our operational practices, please refer to Part 2.
Update August 27, 2020
Dear Families,
YPCE is reopening Before and After School programs on September 8, 2020!
We wanted to advise our families on the processes they can expect as we reopen. As we prepare; we are working within guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education and respective school board requirements. For further information, families may refer to our website for the Infectious Disease and Pandemic Policy re: Covid-19. Parents may also refer to their respective school website for staggered start schedules….READ THE FULL LETTER
Update July 27, 2020
Program Hours – We are pleased to inform you that as of August 4, 2020, our programs will return to regular operating hours of 7am to 6pm in efforts to continue to support families as we progress through the next re-opening phase.
Update July 15, 2020
Exploration Camps in Simcoe County for school age families will end on Friday, August 14, 2020. CLICK HERE for full letter to families.
Update June 24, 2020
Dear Families,
YPCE is reopening on July 6, 2020!
Our educators are busy preparing our programs so that returning to childcare will be a happy transition for everyone. Included in this mailing is the Infectious Disease and Pandemic Policy re: Covid-19. While the
policy provides the detailed approach YPCE has taken throughout the closure and during the reopening; the summary provided here is what families should expect upon returning to care….READ MORE
Update June 22, 2020
We are pleased to announce that our child care centres will be re-opening Monday July 6th, 2020. More details to follow soon. Please check back.
Update June 9, 2020
Dear Childcare Families,
At the Premier’s daily media conference today it was announced that child care centres across the province will be allowed to re-open Friday, June 12. While York Professional Care & Education is keen to resume
operations as soon as possible, the announcement came as a shocking surprise to us and the child care sector.
The announcement seems to contradict a memo that all child care operators received yesterday from the Ministry of Education, extending the emergency closure order of all licensed child care centres until at least
June 19th (see attached).…
Update June 8, 2020
Communication received from the Ministry of Education stated “Based on the advice of our Chief Medical Officer of Health and other leading public health officials, the Emergency Order closing licensed child care centres and all facilities providing indoor recreational programs, including EarlyON Child and Family Centres, has been extended until June 19, 2020.”
Updated June 3, 2020
Dear YPCE Families,
I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones well. During the prolonged closure of programs due to COVID-19, I want to take this opportunity to connect with you by letter. I feel it is important for our families to be informed and assured that YPCE is actively working to support families and employees in preparation for reopening child care in Phase 2 of the Ontario government’s plan….READ MORE
Updated May 27, 2020
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and the advice of our Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Emergency Order closing licensed child care centres and all facilities providing indoor recreational programs, including EarlyON Child and Family Centres has been extended to June 9, 2020. Our child care sites will remain closed until at least June 9, 2020. Reopening childcare is still being considered for Phase 2 of the Ontario government’s plan.
Updated May 21, 2020
On May 19, 2020, in response to COVID-19, the Minister of Education announced that all publicly-funded schools in Ontario will remain closed for the duration of the 2019/2020 school year. Also announced was the decision to keep the order of closure for overnight camps.
At this time, reopening childcare is being considered for Phase 2 of the Ontario government’s plan. This means that all of our programs will remain closed until at least May 31, 2020.
Updated April 26, 2020
On April 26, 2020, the Minister of Education announced an extension to the provincial school closure period in response to COVID-19.
The Minister of Education has stated that all publicly-funded schools in Ontario will remain closed until at least May 31, 2020.
This means that all of our programs will remain closed until at least May 31, 2020.
The decision to reopen publicly funded schools in Ontario continues to be re-assessed based on advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. Please read the statement from the government here: https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2020/04/school-closures-extended-to-keep-students-staff-and-families-safe.html
Updated April 9, 2020
We hope that our families are doing well and managing through the current health crisis involving COVID-19. As we do our part to slow down the spread of disease and maintain good health, it goes without saying that YPCE has cancelled our Annual Family Engagement Day, originally scheduled for Easter Monday, April 13, 2020. We look forward to the near future when our regular operations may resume. Stay safe, stay healthy.
Updated March 27, 2020
Please be advised that there will be no billing and subsequent fee withdrawals until the Ministry of Education permits us to open.
Please refer back to this website for any future updates.
Updated March 20, 2020
With the expectation of schools reopening on Monday, April 6, 2020, please be advised that fees for the month of April will be withdrawn on April 6th. This payment will include care for your child from April 6 – 30th, less any refunds owing from the closure in March.
Please refer back to this website for any future updates.
Updated March 16, 2020
As the implications of COVID-19 continue to spread, we are working to ensure the health safety and welfare of our families, educators, administrative staff and community. As such, we are implementing the following changes, effective March 17th
- Head Office is closed and employees will be working remotely until April 6th. All administrative employees can be reached by email or voicemail.
- Family Engagement Day, scheduled for April 13th, will be postponed until late Spring or early Summer.
- All Home Child Care locations are closed until Apr. 3rd
All professional development courses scheduled to occur in March or April have been postponed. Updated dates will be provided to registrants
updated March 13, 2020
On behalf of Shirley Black, Executive Director and the Board of Directors, please be advised that:
All Ontario schools will be closed from March 16 until April 3, 2020. Schools are expected to reopen on April 6, 2020.
COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. In response, the Ontario Ministry of Education has announced that all publicly funded schools in Ontario will remain closed for two weeks following the March break.
Our partnering school boards in both York Region and The County of Simcoe, have directed that these closures include childcares and Early On programs operating within their schools.
Our stand alone childcare in Mount Albert will also close during this time.
Home childcare locations will continue to offer care for existing children only.
Reimbursement of fees will be made for March 16 – April 3, 2020. Please continue to check our website throughout this time for updated
updated March 12, 2020
To all our families:
Risk Management to contain COVID-19 and opportunities for transmission within the community…
Please CLICK HERE to read the entire letter.