Early learning and childhood educators

In the Southeast Public Health region, the Medical Officer of Health requires that children are immunized against the following diseases according to Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario:

• diphtheria
• tetanus
• pertussis
• polio
• haemophilus influenzae (type b)
• measles
• mumps
• rubella
• varicella
• meningococcal disease
• pneumococcal disease
• rotavirus (as eligible)

Parents or legal guardians of children who are seeking medical or conscience or religious belief exemptions should be directed to contact the Southeast Public Health immunizations team at 613-549-1232, extension 1451. If a child has a valid medical or conscience or religious belief exemption, they must provide the original affidavit or exemption form to Southeast Public Health, and a copy to their daycare provider.

Southeast Public Health offers immunization clinics throughout the year to those who do not have access to primary health-care providers.

To help keep our records as up to date as possible, Southeast Public Health asks that child care operators report new admissions to the centre by using the child care admission profile and immunization history form as well as report children who are no longer attending their centre routinely by using the child care discharges form.

Due to their close contact with young children, licensed child care centre staff are at risk of contracting or transmitting communicable diseases such as influenza or pertussis (whooping cough). As a result, all licensed child care centre staff and volunteers in the Southeast Public Health region must have up-to-date immunizations before starting employment.

Child care operators may use the Child Care Staff and Volunteer Pre-Employment Immunization Form to complete this process. This form should be completed by a health-care provider. Southeast Public Health will not complete immunization assessment forms for individuals.

Immunization requirements specific to child care staff and volunteers include:

• Up-to-date vaccination or evidence of immunity against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, meningococcal, measles, mumps, and rubella.
• An annual influenza vaccine, routine COVID-19 vaccination, and evidence of immunity against varicella (chickenpox) are recommended.

• Child care staff and volunteer pre-employment immunization
• Child care admission profile and immunization history
• Child care discharges (children no longer attending your child care facility)
• Statement of conscience or religious belief
• Statement of medical exemption
• Vaccines and immunization

Southeast Public Health supports licensed child care centres to promote a safe and healthy environment. All licensed child care centres, within the Southeast Public Health region, are inspected.

Requirements and guidelines are found within the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, as well as the Child Care and Early Years Act.

Health and safety measures

Screening should occur at home prior to arriving at the facility to avoid sick children or staff entering the child care centre.

Staff at the child care facility should also conduct screening on everyone entering the facility and those who are symptomatic should be sent home.

Please see the Ministry of Health COVID-19 school and child care screening tool.

Outbreak management

When an outbreak occurs, Southeast Public Health works with child care settings to implement appropriate infection control measures. Early identification and implementation of control measures will minimize the duration of an outbreak. To report a confirmed or suspected outbreak please contact Southeast Public Health’s Infection Prevention and Control team at 613-549-1232, extension 4722 or email ipac@SoutheastPH.ca.