DTSSAB, Northern College, College Boreal, Partner in Creation of Compressed ECE Program

DTSSAB, Northern College, and College Boréal, are partnering in the creation of a local Compressed Early Childhood Educator Program. The program will make it possible for 6 individuals in the district, presently working in the child care field, to continue their education to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) in the span of 16 months, as opposed to two years.

Ontario is experiencing a critical shortage of Early Years and Child Care professionals. The Provincial and Federal government announced a $13.2 billion agreement to lower childcare fees to $10/day by Fall 2025. To meet demand, Ontario plans to create 86,000 new licensed child care spaces. The District Services Board funded ECE Program Project has been designed to support recruitment and retention strategies across the North to meet this objective.

DTSSAB will be sponsoring 6 students, employed across the district at Englehart and Area Child Care and Keepers of the Circle, to complete the program. The hybrid format of the program (synchronous and asynchronous) will allow the students to continue to support their respective child care centres during high demand periods, such as before and after school. The compressed program has 4 semesters, beginning January 9th and culminating in Winter 2024, ending with Early Childhood Educator Field Work Placement. Tuition and fees, including books, will be fully funded by the DTSSAB for registered students. The students will also receive their current hourly wage for work hours and school hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week.

This innovative partnership provides the opportunity to increase the capacity for child care in the Timiskaming district. The flexibility of delivery, made possible through Northern College and College Boréal, creates a feasible option for individuals who wish to continue their education but also wanted to keep supporting their day care centres.

“This program provides a great opportunity for child care staff, which is a win-win for both the participant and their child care centres in our district,” Lyne Labelle, Children’s Services Manager.

If you have further questions, please direct them to:

communications@dtssab.com

Targeted School-Aged Emergency Child Care in Timiskaming

Beginning April 19, the District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board, in collaboration with our Licensed Child Care Centres and Licensed Home Childcare Providers, will be implementing emergency childcare during the current stay-at-home order and provincial emergency.

The Ontario government has opted to move elementary and secondary schools to remote learning following the April break. This move has been made as a preventative measure in response to the rapid increase of community transmission of COVID-19 cases, and the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants across the province.

Licensed childcare programs will continue for younger children, which includes infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Childcare programs that are co-located within a school may continue as approved by individual school boards. As part of this order, before and after school programs, and Early ON programs will be closed.

Beginning April 19, Emergency child care services for children 3.8 to 12 years old (junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten and school-aged children) will be available at no cost for provincially identified essential service workers who are not able to acquire alternative child care and/or are unable to accommodate care at home for their school-aged children. We would like to remind everyone that the safest option for families is to have children remain at home, if possible.

The DTSSAB will continue to work closely with the Timiskaming Health Unit, Licensed childcare providers and local school boards to identify interest and prepare for the opening of emergency child care locations for school-aged children. Information will be posted on www.dtssab.com/childrens-services once details are confirmed.

Inquiries can be directed to DTSSAB Children’s Services at our toll free numbers 1-888-544-5555 or 1-800-627-2944.

UPDATE: Application forms for Emergency Child Care for School-Aged Children are below and available in French and English.

Targeted Emergency Child Care – School-Aged Children Application Form (English - PDF)
Programme de garde d’enfants d’urgence ciblé – enfants d’âge scolaire (Francais - PDF)