Parents & Caregivers

Parents can now apply at thunderbaychildcare.ca for Emergency Child Care services. Eligible families will be contacted when a space is available - priority will be given to essential service workers with no other child care options. See the TBDSSAB media release for details and the Ontario Government backgrounder for the list of occupations identified as eligible for child care.
If you have been told your child has been identified as a high-risk contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, please watch the video on Important information for high-risk contacts of COVID-19. A public health liaison will be calling as soon as possible to provide instructions, answer questions and gather information. 

 

If any person in your household is considered a high-risk contact of someone who has COVID-19, any children in the household CAN attend child care or school (including post-secondary) in-person during the risk period. Parents/caregivers/others in the household must stay home except for essential reasons, such as work.

 

Guidance for Parents and Caregivers

Screen your child every day before attending child care or school. 

The following tools can be used to screen children:  

Your child should not go to child care, school, on the school bus, or attend any before or after school programs if any of the following apply:

  • they have symptoms of COVID-19 that are new or worsening or are different from the child's usual state. Refer to the screening tools above or the Child with Symptoms & When to Return page for specific symptoms and corresponding instructions. 
  • they are a household contact of someone who has symptoms of COVID-19. Household members of symptomatic individuals must self-isolate and seek testing if symptoms develop.
  • they have been in close contact with someone who currently has COVID-19. Please see important information for high-risk contacts of COVID-19. 
  • they have been advised to self-isolate by TBDHU. 
  • they have returned from international travel in the last 14 days and are required to self-isolate under the Federal Quarantine Act.

If your child has symptoms:

  • For information on what to do when your child has symptoms and criteria for when they can return to child care or school, visit the Child with Symptoms & When to Return page.
  • If your child is staying home, let the child care provider or school know.
  • If needed, arrange a test for your child with the nearest Assessment Centre.

Provide cloth or non-medical masks for your child.

Follow general public health advice.

  • Help your child understand how to prevent COVID-19, including physical distancing and keeping hands clean, through role modeling and family discussions.
  • Please do not have your child interact in-person with others outside of your household, other than attending school or child care. This is not the time for any in-person gatherings, including birthday parties, dinners or sleepovers.
  • Avoid unnecessary travel.
  • If possible, have your child walk or bike to school instead of riding the bus.
  • Send your child to school with a healthy lunch, a labeled water bottle, and remind them not to share food or drink with others.

 

Guidance for Boarding Homes

With COVID-19 present in our area, this school year will look different for students relocating to urban centres, such as Thunder Bay. Students, their families and their hosts may have questions about how things will work and how to stay safe in these uncertain times. This document provides information on how to create a safe and supportive environment for students during the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

Additional Information

If you have questions, please call the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1-888-294-6630.

Last Updated: 19/04/2021