Municipal officials say given the recent announcement by CUPE of their intention to fully withdraw their services in schools as of Monday, November 21, 2022, the ministry has asked all school boards to implement contingency plans.
Municipal officials say the ministry has advised school boards to:
– Continue to provide in-person learning for all students where possible.
– Transition to synchronous remote learning if it cannot maintain the healthy and safe operation of in-person learning.
– Ensure that all efforts are made to preserve access to full-day childcare centres co-located with schools.
“Please check your child’s school board’s website for ongoing updates,” Municipal officials say.
“The Ministry of Education has also made funding, regulatory and policy changes to permit camps and licensed childcare programs to continue operating at this time.”
Here are some more details from the Municipality:
Licensed Child Care: Before and after school programs that currently offer a full-day program on non-instructional days (i.e., P.A. Days, Christmas break, and summer holidays) are permitted to offer a full-day program during this strike. Keep in mind this may not be possible for all licensed programs due to staffing levels and capacity limitations.
Remote Learning: The Ministry of Education expects school boards to support uninterrupted learning for students through synchronous remote learning when schools cannot safely be kept open. Individual childcare centres will communicate with parents whether or not they will be able to support remote learning.
Funding for Eligible Workers: The Provincial government is also providing funding to assure healthcare workers, including, but not limited to, doctors, nurses, PSWs, childcare workers, and other healthcare providers, those who work in long-term care homes, retirement homes, and as well as other applicable congregate care settings, can access care for their school-aged children at no cost for the duration of the CUPE labour disruption. Staff in licensed childcare settings, both homes, and centers, are also eligible.
“Eligible arrangements include day camps, recreation programs, and existing licensed childcare programs with the capacity to enroll school-aged children that currently have a purchase of service agreement with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent,” Municipal officials added.
“The Child Care and Early Years division of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate changes as they become available. Check this website for up-to-date funding and application information: www.chatham-kent.ca/childcare.”
Inquiries can also be sent to ckchildcare@chatham-kent.ca.
