Supporting families with child care costs during COVID-19
Funding available if your child is absent or if your child care program has been asked to close.
Many families are facing financial pressures because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding is available to licensed child care providers to support families with children enrolled in licensed child care programs in Peel.
We’re making these funds available on behalf of the Government of Ontario and Government of Canada
If you have a child enrolled in a licensed child care program (including licensed home child care) in Peel who misses child care due to COVID-19 related reasons, financial help is available.
Child absenteeism coverage
Your child care provider will refund your child care fees for eligible absent days from April 1 to December 31, 2021 if your child was away from child care because they:
- Were waiting for COVID-19 test results. (Siblings in the same household must stay home and will also qualify for child absenteeism coverage).
- Did not pass screening questions asked by the child care provider, parent or guardian. (Siblings qualify for absenteeism coverage only when Peel Public Health or a health care provider has told everyone living in the home to isolate).
Since some child care providers collect fees in advance, your child care provider will either give you a refund, or a credit toward future fees. Providers must refund or credit you within 45 days of the eligible absence taken.
It is up to child care providers to decide how many days they will support. Speak to your child care provider for more information about the specifics of your programs child absenteeism policy.
Your child care provider's regular policy will apply to all absences that are not related to COVID-19.
Funding to support families during a Peel Public Health closure or directed self-isolation due to a positive COVID-19 case
If Peel Public Health or a health care provider directs your child care program to close, or has directed a self-isolation period due to a positive, confirmed COVID-19 case your child care provider will also refund or credit you for any days your child misses.
Speak to your child care provider for more information.
