Last revised on March 4, 2022
- Planning child care in an emergency
- Sharing Child Custody and Co-Parenting during COVID-19
- Hand hygiene for children
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, babies (FAQs)
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Planning child care in an emergency
Emergencies happen without warning. Having a plan will help you meet your family’s needs and reduce anxiety in difficult times.
Planning who will care for your children in an emergency, if you can’t be there, is essential.
One situation we are all doing our best to cope with is COVID-19; it affects all age groups. And, while some people with COVID-19 have only mild illness, others need emergency medical care.
If you were ill and needed to go to the hospital, it would be important to know who could help take care of your children.
There are simple steps you can take:
1. Make an emergency child care plan:
- (C) Consult with family members, friends and neighbors ahead of time about their ability to help safely care for your children.
- If your kids have been exposed to COVID-19, this would include ensuring their self-isolation.
- (A) Aim to make information accessible:
- Have emergency caregivers’ names and phones number on your phone’s lock screen or fridge.
- Share your plan and exchange contact information with those close to you
- (R) Review your options and consider asking a few different people to help, in case your first caregiver choice is not available.
- (E) Explain your safety plan to your children and to those close to you.
2. Protect your family by getting your COVID-19 vaccine.
We invite you to book your appointment as soon as you are eligible, to reduce the risk of getting ill.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19Vaccine
Plan, Prepare, Be Aware
Hand hygiene for children
Keeping children's hands clean is the best way to keep them from getting sick and spreading germs. Babies and young children often put their hands in their mouths, making it more likely to spread germs that cause illness.
Useful links:
- Hand Hygiene for Children – Ottawa Public Health
- Stop the Spread of Germs – Ottawa Public Health
- Protect don’t infect (VIDEO) – Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
- Wash your hands, Brother John! (VIDEO) – Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, babies (FAQs)
Pregnancy and COVID-19 |
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Pregnancy and COVID-19 Vaccines | ||||||||||||
For more information about pregnancy and COVID-19 Vaccines visit the Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination webpage. | ||||||||||||
Breastfeeding and chestfeeding | ||||||||||||
For more information visit the World Health Organization's Q&A on COVID-19, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. |
||||||||||||
Babies | ||||||||||||
|
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How can I talk to my kids about COVID-19? |
Start by informing yourself. You can find up-to-date information on our novel coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage. Reassure them that they are safe and encourage them to talk about how they feel and to ask questions. From the information you read, you may need to explain or simplify the information depending on your child’s age. Remind them of all the things they have control over to stay healthy: hand washing, cough/sneeze etiquette, keeping their hands away from their faces, staying healthy.
Visit these useful links:
|
What should I expect when sending my baby to daycare? |
We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused difficult times and the decision to send your child(ren) to child care is not easy. For information about important practices to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in child care settings, as well as how parents have a role in keeping children as safe as possible, please visit the Support Child Care and Early Years page. |
How can I address increased substance use with my youth during COVID-19? |
While COVID-19 is less likely to cause serious symptoms in younger people, it could be a more serious health threat if combined with vaping or smoking cigarettes or cannabis. Useful link:
|
I need to work from home, but I also have kids in the house. What can I do? |
Needing to work from home with kids around can be challenging and stressful. Kids may not be used to having their parent at home, but not able to spend much time with them. Talk to your kids about your responsibilities. Make a schedule for the day. Set some time where you will be able to do an activity with them. Talk to your employer about possible accommodations for work hours that work with your family. Be patient with yourself and make sure to take time for yourself. Useful links:
|
I’m feeling overwhelmed. What can I do? |
It's normal for situations like COVID-19 to affect your mental health. Everyone will experience these events in their own way. It is completely natural to feel stress and concern. Practicing positive coping strategies will help you cope and will show your children how they too, can cope. Visit our Mental Health and COVID_19 page for resources that are available to you.
Useful link:
|
What if I get sick or need to self-isolate? How can I take care of my children? |
If you are self-isolating, experiencing symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, you should avoid contact with other people, including your children. Make alternate arrangements with family members, friends or neighbours.
If this is unrealistic for you, here are a few tips to minimize the risk:
Current evidence suggests that children who contract the virus have a lower risk of having serious symptoms. How To Care For A Child Who Needs To Self-Isolate – Public Health Ontario |
If my child is sick with COVID-19, what do I do? |
Generally, children who have COVID-19 get mild symptoms. Follow the Guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts if you are caring for someone who has the virus. |
Contact information
Provincial Vaccine Information Line
- 7 days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm
- Call if you have questions about Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination program.
- Service is available in multiple languages.
- Telephone: 1-888-999-6488
- TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line
- Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Call if you have questions related to testing eligibility and isolation guidelines
- Telephone: 1-888-777-0730
Ottawa Public Health Vaccine Booking Line
- Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Translation is available in multiple languages
- Telephone: 613-691-5505
Emergency Services
- If you are in distress (e.g., significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), do not go to the Assessment Centre or a COVID-19 Care clinic. Go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 9-1-1.
How to access help during COVID-19
- 211 Ontario can help you find financial and social support during COVID-19
- Telephone: 2-1-1
Related information
Contact Us