Two centre-based emergency childcare sites are opening in Sarnia for essential workers.
Lambton Manager of Homelessness Prevention and Children Services Melissa Fitzpatrick said London Bridge Child Care opened two rooms at its Oak Avenue site Monday and the YMCA on Finch Drive will open two more rooms Monday, June 1.
"We are operating at a much lower capacity, just to ensure the health and safety of everybody, so it's six children per room," said Fitzpatrick.
The centres, for children aged 12 months to 12 years, will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
"There will be daily screenings, so upon arrival children's temperatures will be checked along with their parents, the ECE [early childhood education] staff will be wearing PPE [personal protective equipment] at the screening. We're not allowing any visitors in the building and we've implemented a family grouping so that all siblings can stay in the same room together and we won't divide them by age."
Fitzpatrick said the centre-based sites are in addition to what's currently being offered by Wee Watch Licensed Home Child Care.
"Wee Watch has been running ten homes and serving 20 children," she said.
Fitzpatrick stresses space is limited and child care should only be considered as a last resort.
She said it is important to keep children at home where possible.
Essential workers seeking emergency childcare can contact the Lambton County Children's Services Department office directly at childcareadmin@county-lambton.on.ca or at 519-344-2057 ext. 2201
