COVID-19 Information for Schools, Child Cares and Families
Last Edited/Reviewed: January 31, 2023 at 3:36 p.m.
As of December 21, 2022, all Ontarians Aged 5+ are eligible for the bivalent booster.
With the Health Canada approval of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for five to 11 year-olds, all Ontarians aged five and over are eligible to book a bivalent booster dose starting December 21.
Complete the
Ontario School and Child Care Screening Tool
Daily
Children, staff, and visitors should screen daily before going to school/child care. If your child is sick, they should stay home until they can pass the screening tool. Complete your screening using the School and Child Care Screening Tool
Printable versions of the screening tool for students and staff/visitors are also available by downloading a PDF in English, French or a different language.
If you do not pass the screening, read the webpage with your result thoroughly, as it will give you detailed instructions on what to do next including how long you may need to stay home for. Anyone who is sick or has any symptoms of illness, including those not listed in this screening tool, should stay home and seek assessment from their health care provider if needed.
As of November 2022 – Masking Update
Although masking is no longer mandated by the Ontario Government, we know that masking reduces the risk of spreading illness. The Chief Medical Officer of Health is strongly recommending that Ontarians wear a well-fitted mask in all indoor public settings, including in schools and in childcare settings.
Children aged two to five should only wear a mask with supervision if they can safely tolerate masking and can put it on and take it off (children under age 2 are exempt from wearing masks).
Young children under five years of age are most susceptible to respiratory viruses, and adults can transmit them.
- If you live in a household with a child aged 5 or under, any family member who has symptoms or is unwell should mask at home to protect the child from illness.
- Wearing a mask for all indoor social gatherings with friends and family is strongly encouraged to help keep young children and vulnerable populations healthy.
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On This Page:
COVID-19 Information for Schools
Peterborough Public Health works closely with school boards and school staff to promote a safe and healthy environment and to protect the broader community. The information below is to support school staff in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
- Ontario School and Child Care Screening Tool (Dec 2022)
- Ontario COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures at Schools
- Public Health Ontario Resources
- School Absenteeism Protocol and Resources
- Fact Sheets
- Signage
COVID-19 Information for Child Care Operators
The information below is to support child care operators in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
- Ontario School and Child Care Screening Tool (Dec 2022)
- Ontario COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures at Child Care Centres
- Public Health Ontario Resources
- Child Care Absenteeism Protocol and Resources
- Fact Sheets
- Signage
COVID-19 Information for Families
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COVID-19 Information for Schools
Health and Safety Measures
Please see the Ministry website COVID-19: health and safety measures at schools for the most up to date information about health and safety measures in schools.
Public Health Ontario Resources
- Preventing COVID-19: Refresher Presentations for Schools and Childcare Settings
- A presentation series on preventing COVID-19 in schools and childcare settings. Topics include: COVID-19 transmission, personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, physical distancing and environmental cleaning.
- Mask-wearing in Children and COVID-19 – What We Know So Far
- COVID-19 – Schools and Related Settings – general page
- Trauma-informed Practices for Children and Families during the COVID-19 Pandemic
School Absenteeism Protocol and Resources
- When levels of absenteeism are 30% or greater than average daily absence rates, schools will communicate with PPH who may provide recommendations to the school or families.
Resources prepared by Peterborough Public Health
- Child-Student with Symptoms – Sept 2022
- FRENCH_Child-Student with Symptoms – Sept 2022
- Helping Your Child Reduce the Spread of Illness
- Cough and Sneeze (Poster)
Reducing Disease Transmission
- Stay home if feeling unwell
- Classroom Ventilation – Peterborough Public Health is encouraging the use of outdoor classrooms and having windows open as often as possible if it is safe to do so to improve ventilation and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
- Testing – Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) continue to be available to school boards and at locations in the community as well.
- Masking – Peterborough Public Health encourages individuals to assess their personal risk when determining whether or not to wear a mask. We encourage respectful, welcoming and inclusive environments for individuals who choose to wear, or not to wear, a mask within their school communities.
- Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette- Appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette should continue to be promoted and integrated throughout the school day.
- Vaccination – Vaccination against COVID-19 continues to be highly encouraged for eligible children and staff.
Fact Sheets
- How to Self-Isolate
- How to Self-Monitor
- Masks in Community Settings – Peterborough Public Health
Signage
COVID-19 Information for Child Care Centres
Health and Safety Measures
Please see the Ministry website Ontario COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures for Child Care for the most up to date information about health and safety measures in child care centres.
- Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario (version 15.1) November 30, 2022
- Before and After School Programs Kindergarten to Grade 6: Policies and Guidelines for Schools Boards
Public Health Ontario Resources
- Preventing COVID-19: Refresher Presentations for Schools and Childcare Settings
- A presentation series on preventing COVID-19 in schools and childcare settings. Topics include: COVID-19 transmission, personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, physical distancing and environmental cleaning.
- Mask-wearing in Children and COVID-19 – What We Know So Far
- Trauma-informed Practices for Children and Families during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- COVID-19 Transmission from Singing and Playing Wind Instruments – What We Know So Far
Child Care Absenteeism Protocol and Resources
When level of absenteeism are higher than average, or they reach 30% or more, Child Care Centres will notify PPH so an assessment can be completed and recommendations for staff and families can be provided by PPH.
Resources prepared by Peterborough Public Health
- Child-Student with Symptoms – Sept 2022
- FRENCH_Child-Student with Symptoms – Sept 2022
- Helping Your Child Reduce the Spread of Illness
- Cough and Sneeze (Poster)
- Reducing the Spread of Illness in Child Care- Oct 2022
Reducing Disease Transmission
- Stay home if feeling unwell
- Room Ventilation – Peterborough Public Health is encouraging the use of outdoor spaces and having windows open as often as possible if it is safe to do so to improve ventilation and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
- Testing – Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) continue to be available to child cares and at locations in the community as well.
- Masking – Peterborough Public Health encourages individuals to assess their personal risk when determining whether or not to wear a mask. We encourage respectful, welcoming and inclusive environments for individuals who choose to wear, or not to wear, a mask within their child care centres communities.
- Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette- Appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette should continue to be promoted and integrated throughout the day.
- Vaccination – Vaccination against COVID-19 continues to be highly encouraged for eligible children and staff.
Fact Sheets
- How to Self-Isolate
- How to Self-Monitor
- Masks in Community Settings – Peterborough Public Health
Signage
COVID-19 Information for Families
- Questions about using Rapid Antigen Tests and How to Interpret Results? See PPH Testing for COVID-19 webpage
Symptoms/Children Who are Ill
- Child-Student with Symptoms – Sept 2022
- FRENCH_Child-Student with Symptoms – Sept 2022
- COVID-19 Self Isolation: Guide for Caregivers, Family Members and Close Contacts
- Helping Your Child Reduce the Spread of Illness
- Cough and Sneeze (Poster)
COVID-19 Vaccines
As of December 21, 2022, all Ontarians Aged 5+ are eligible for the bivalent booster.
With the Health Canada approval of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for five to 11 year-olds, all Ontarians aged five and over are eligible to book a bivalent booster dose starting December 21.
Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to stay protected from COVID-19. They are an important tool to help to stop the spread of the virus and allow students and families to safely resume normal activities. For more information see:
- Peterborough Public Health Vaccine Info and Clinic Info
- COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth (Ontario.ca)
- COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for Parents and Guardians (Ministry of Health)
- Pain Management During Immunizations for Kids and Adolescents (Immunize.ca)
- To provide a better understanding of a person’s risk for getting myocarditis or pericarditis post vaccine, watch Dr. Salvaterra explain it in this video: What is myocarditis? Do you have questions about your child getting the COVID-19 vaccine? SickKids has launched a COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service to help answer those questions. Make an appointment to speak to a SickKids clinician through a confidential phone consult: sickkids.ca/vaccineconsult
Other routine vaccinations are also recommended in childhood? Please see PPH’s Immunization webpage for details.
Resources for Children
- Coronavirus: A Book for Children, (free download), published by Nosy Crow
- Coronavirus Indigenous Story for Children, (free download), Cree Health
- COVIBOOK, a book for children in many languages, Mindheart
- Everybody Worries (a book for young children)
- My Hero is You, (free storybook for children on COVID-19, in multiple languages)