Child care health and safety

Health and safety information to assist and support child care providers to keep families informed of the latest public health guidance. 

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On this page

• ​Health and safety guidance
• Important emergency information for families
• Important emergency information for providers
• Contact information for providers

Health and safety guidance

The Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) have provided public health guidance for child care and school settings, which will continue to be updated as needed.

• Public Health Guidance for Communicable Disease Management in Child Care Settings (PDF, 120KB)
• Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools (PDF, 132KB)
• Measles Guidance for Child Care Providers (PDF, 986KB)

Ministry of Education and Child Care emergency management resources

• The K-12 Education and Child Care: Emergency Management Resource Package Spring is a collection of information and resources for child care facilities, schools and families regarding emergency management
• The K-12 Education and Child Care: Emergency Management Key Contacts (PDF, 173KB) includes key ministry contact information for child care facilities, school districts and independent schools to use in emergencies
• The Emergency Management Planning Guide for Schools, Districts and Authorities (PDF, 2.9MB) supports schools, districts and authorities in emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery processes
• EmergencyInfoBC provides current and official information during emergencies in BC
• PreparedBC provides emergency preparation and recovery resources and information for the public. Topics include knowing the hazards, preparing supplies, and finding guides and resources
• The BC Wildfire Service map provides updated information on the location and severity of wildfires throughout BC
• The interactive Child Care Map displays licensed child care centres throughout BC
• Your local child care licensing office has additional resources to support emergency preparedness in child care programs. These resources may support early childhood professionals, families, and children in addressing worries and anxieties about preparedness for disasters

Additional resources

• BCCDC frequently asked questions for child care operators and staff
• BCCDC child care and school resources for parents, staff and operators
• Remember to wash your hands poster (PDF, 1130KB)

Important emergency information for families

• During emergencies or natural disasters in BC, child care centres in impacted areas may be temporarily closed
• Child care providers are instructed to listen to their local officials and emergency responders and comply with all evacuation orders, travel restrictions and all other emergency management communication
• Individual centres will communicate their closure and/or evacuation plans directly with families. Individual centres will communicate their reopening plans directly with families when they are ready to do so, but please be aware that this may take time
• The ministry monitors emergencies and natural disasters throughout B.C. to ensure safety and that families and child care providers continue to be supported through ministry programs
• For additional support in finding child care, you can access the ChildCareBC Map to help you find a child care provider in your area that may be able to provide temporary child care. This tool allows you to search based on the city, geographic distance, program type, services offered and space availability. However, please note that it is unable to track evacuation orders and may not be updated to reflect current closures due to these circumstances
• For the latest updates on current wildfire conditions, including evacuation orders, visit EmergencyInfoBC and BCWildfire.ca

Important emergency information for providers

• Funding support is available to child care providers should a centre be impacted by wildfires, flooding, or any other major emergency
• Child care facilities impacted by emergencies may be eligible for assistance through the ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund
• Child Care Operating Funding base funding may be paid when a facility is temporarily closed due to an emergency
• Providers participating in the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program will also continue to receive regular operational funding for up to 14 calendar days and may receive additional funding for longer periods during emergency closures
• If a facility continues to charge fees to families and pay staff wages during a temporary closure, access to the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement may be available with ministry approval
• For providers who are supporting staff, families and children experiencing disruption or anxiety related to natural disasters such as flooding, the following resources might be helpful:  
  • Climate Anxiety: An Introduction for Teachers 
  • National Child Traumatic Stress Institute – Disasters  
  • Anxiety Canada: Anxiety in Children 
  • Child & Youth Mental Health
  • erase = expect respect & a safe education
• Funding recipients who receive mailed cheques are encouraged to submit a direct deposit form. Check your program specific page on where to send a direct deposit to minimize delays in receiving funds

ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund

• Child care facilities impacted by major emergencies may be eligible for assistance through the ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund
• The ChildCareBC Maintenance Fund helps licensed child care facilities in emergency circumstances, defined as sudden and unexpected conditions that directly impact children’s health and safety or may result in immediate facility closure. Please visit the Maintenance Fund web page for more information and to apply

Child Care Operating Funding during emergency closures

Child Care Operating Funding base funding may be paid when a facility is temporarily closed due to an emergency. If a facility continues to charge fees to families and pay staff wages during a temporary closure, the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement may be available with ministry approval.

• Eligible circumstances include:
  • Unplanned closures due to evacuation order or similar restrictions issued by a First Nation, provincial, federal, municipal government or health authority
  • Natural disasters
  • External circumstances outside the provider’s control, at the ministry’s discretion
  • Emergencies that were preventable or originated within the facility, and permanent closures are not eligible
     
• To report an emergency closure and request funding, please log into My ChildCareBC Services
  • Go to the Organization Closure Page
  • Click the “Add New Closure” and enter the closure information (i.e., the impacted facility, whether families will be charged for the closure, the extent of the closure, the reason for the closure, a description of the request, supporting documents, and the dates of the closure period)
  • Declare the closure request by clicking “Accept and Submit”

For more information on your centre’s eligibility or to report an emergency closure providers can reach the ministry at 1-888-338-6622, (option 2).

$10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres

• Providers participating in the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program will also continue to receive regular operational funding for up to 14 calendar days and may receive additional funding for longer periods during emergency closures
• For more information or to report an emergency closure, $10 a Day ChildCareBC providers can reach the ministry at at 1-888-338-6622, selecting option 7

Contact information for providers

• For any additional inquires, the ministry is available with email and phone support and can be reached at: ChildCareBC.engagement@gov.bc.ca
• Child care providers can call the ministry at 1-888-338-6622 (toll free)Specific programs can be reached at the options below:  
  • Option 1 – Affordable Child Care Benefit  
  • Option 2 – Child Care Operating Funding (Base Funding, Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative, ECE Wage Enhancement)  
  • Option 3 – Early Childhood Educator Registry  
  • Option 4 – Child Care Resource and Referral  
  • Option 5 – Child Care Capital Funding (New Spaces Fund, Maintenance Fund, Start-Up Grants)  
  • Option 7 – $10 a Day ChildCareBC Centres