The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) is partnering with licenced child care providers to deliver emergency child care free of charge to essential front-line workers.
DNSSAB says some providers will be opening emergency childcare spaces for critical service workers starting Tuesday, April 14.
According to DNSSAB, “Licensed child care spaces will first be available in North Bay and then in West Nipissing; two areas in the District that indicated the greatest need. Mattawa has also been identified therefore DNSSAB continues to work with child care partners in order to provide services in this community. DNSSAB is aware that the need for emergency services exceeds the spaces available therefore will prioritize the spaces for front-line health care professionals, where all parents/guardians in the home must report to an official work location to perform work duties, are unable to work from home and have no alternatives for childcare. These emergency arrangements will be in effect as long as the Premier’s Order is in place.”
“The DNSSAB has been working very hard to get some emergency child care spaces up and running,” says DNSSAB Chair Mark King. “New protocols have been established to prevent spread of the COVID-19 and this limits the number of spaces that can be opened.”
Emergency child care placements will be managed through a centralized application process for all sites. Families may apply for Emergency Child Care commencing at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, by completing the online application form which can be found on DNSSAB’s website. Families will receive services on a “first come-first served” basis within priority areas.
