Provincial child care subsidy to be available for eligible workers in event of labour disruption

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Cobourg, ON – November 19, 2022 –  In the event of a labour disruption affecting schools starting Monday, November 21, 2022, Northumberland County Community & Social Services will be administering a provincial child care subsidy for school-aged children, for eligible health care and early years workers. 

Who is eligible?

The Province has established a list of workers eligible for no-cost child care for school-aged children for the duration of this labour disruption. Eligibility will be limited to:

  • Health care workers, including, but not limited to, doctors, nurses, PSWs, health care providers, staff working in long-term care and retirement homes
  • Workers in applicable congregate care settings
  • Workers in licensed child care settings, both homes and centres

Families are required to secure their own child care space prior to applying for this subsidy. Should your application be approved, any costs incurred during the assessment period will be reimbursed.

What programs are eligible to be subsidized?

The subsidy can be directed towards any licensed school-aged child care program in Northumberland that is operational during this period. Please note that child care providers operating out of schools will only be providing care for the 0-4 age group during this time.

For families who do not currently have child care arrangements for school-aged children in the event of a labour disruption, the Northumberland YMCA will be offering a day camp for children in senior kindergarten to Grade 6. The subsidy can be applied to this program. Spaces will be limited. Registration will open at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 20. Register online by visiting www.ymcanrt.org or by calling 905-372-0161.

How do I apply?

If you believe you are eligible to apply for this provincial child care subsidy based on the criteria identified here, please contact Northumberland County Community & Social Services at 1-800-354-7051. Due to an anticipated high volume of calls, if an agent is not immediately available, please leave a message. Calls will be returned by a customer service agent during regular business hours within two business days. Eligibility will be determined during the return phone call.