HEPA Units for Licensed Child Care - February 8, 2022

Ministry of Education
Early Years and Child Care Division

315 Front Street West, 11th floor 
Toronto ON M5V 3A4        

MEMORANDUM

TO: Child Care Licensees
FROM: Boafoa Kwamena, Director
Child Care Quality Assurance and Licensing Branch
DATE: February 8, 2022
SUBJECT: HEPA Units for Licensed Child Care

As per the memo sent out on December 30, 2021, the Ministry of Education is working with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services to deploy standalone HEPA filter units to the child care sector.

The following guidelines for HEPA filter distribution have been developed in consultation with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. HEPA filter shipments have been prioritized as follows:

  • Type of child care:

         Priority will be given to child care centres to mitigate transmission risk in –congregate, or group, child care                             environments.

  • Ventilation system:

         Priority will be given to centres with non-mechanical or natural ventilation with limited ability to achieve adequate                   ventilation.

  • Age group:

         Priority will be given to program rooms for younger age groups (infant, toddler and preschool). These children are not           eligible for vaccination and are not likely to wear masks while at child care.

The ministry has analyzed the information provided by licensees through the online survey to support distribution.
 
If your program requested one or more HEPA filter units, you will be contacted within the coming days using the email address provided in the online survey and given additional information on delivery and use of the HEPA filter units. Please ensure you check your email regularly and respond to any instructions you are provided.

Thank-you for your cooperation and your commitment to the development and well¬being of Ontario children.

Original signed by: 

Boafoa Kwamena
cc:Children Services Managers, Consolidated Municipal Service Managers
and District Social Services Administration Boards 
First Nation Child Care Administrators