Eligible parents looking for child care next week have an option provided by the city of Windsor.
The city has been granted funding from the Ontario government for emergency childcare for the week of January 4 through January 8, 2021. Through the city's Children's Services Department, children of workers deemed essential will be entitled to free childcare during the week.
Students are set to return to online learning after the winter holiday break on Monday, thus making the service a necessity for those essential employees.
The city has defined essential workers as those identified on the provincial government's List of Workers Eligible for Emergency Child Care for their school-aged children only. The service is offered through a list of pre-approved licenced childcare centres and home-based childcare facilities throughout Windsor-Essex.
Anyone interested in taking advantage of the childcare is urged to complete the online application form, along with the consent form, as soon as possible. Parents may also call the Children's Services Department intake line at (519) 255-5312.
Please do not call the child care centre directly.
Updated information on approved child care centres can be found on the city's official website.
Per the current guidelines from the Ministry of Health and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, elementary school students are scheduled to return to the classroom for in-person learning on January 11, with secondary school students continuing with remote learning until January 25.