Dear Emmanuel families,
Our concern for the wellbeing of our families, the beloved children to whom we provide care, our employees, and our greater community, have lead the Board of Directors at Emmanuel at Brighton Childcare Centre to decide to extend the current Centre closure until at least August 3rd, 2020.
While we understand that this may be very challenging for our families in terms of managing childcare for the month of July, and that there is continued uncertainty for summer planning, the decision was not come to lightly.
Please know that our leaders and educators wish to be reunited with families and children and to be providing the care we are known for and that we love to provide.
Various elements contributed to this decision including:
The Board of Directors is committed to the alignment of the decision to reopen Emmanuel at Brighton Childcare with our Centre values of family, belonging, community, nature exploration, and nurturing care
What we heard from families surveyed regarding returning to the Centre underlined that reopening needs to align with our values
o Very few families indicated interest in returning full time in July
o Many families expressed concerns for emotional wellbeing, physical wellness, and risk
The Ministry Guidelines for childcare reopening create a challenging position for Centres financially, logistically, and from a quality care perspective
o For instance, children with symptoms would have to get a COVID-19 test. Were a classroom to be exposed to a child with a positive or presumed positive result, each child and educator in the classroom would require self-isolation for 14 days. During this time, families would not have care at Emmanuel but would still be paying fees.
We are currently facing funding uncertainty to support the additional resources, both human and material, to adhere to the Ministry Guidelines
We need to have more certainty and more information to ensure the provision of sustainable, safe, and quality care in order to reopen the Centre
Families who expressed interest in care for during the summer can expect further communication with additional details about what care might look like in August to reiterate or change their interest in receiving care.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Dana Bernhardt, Executive Director executivedirector@emmanuelchildcare.ca
Eve Nader, Board Chair chair@emmanuelchildcare.ca