Ontario's Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is currently underway, with many new patient groups eligible to book an appointment online through the provincial booking system or through local public health units. However, there is one group missing from the priority list, Early Childhood Educators and childcare staff, leaving many daycare workers frustrated, anxious and vulnerable to the virus.
Cindy Paulus, director of EduKids childcare centre on John Street West, says it is absolutely crucial to prioritize Child Care Educators and provide a vaccine, especially those living in COVID-19 'hot spots' like Bradford West Gwillimbury.
"Child care educators are not deemed essential, yet we are required to be," said Paulus. " I think it is time to recognize this and provide the vaccinations to keep our educators safe, the children safe and the families of the children and educators safe."
Currently, only elementary and secondary school workers (including educators, custodial, school bus drivers, administrative staff) are eligible for the vaccine under the province's Phase 2 rollout plan.
EduKids has been servicing Bradford for over 11 years and currently serves over 100 families and employs over 20 staff. The children in their care range from ages 0-11 and staff ranging in age from 18-60.
So far, only two staff members have been able to receive their vaccine due to other patient group eligibility, Izabela Zabolocka is one of them.
Zablocka was able to get her vaccine already, due to her other job working with vulnerable youth. She says she is shocked daycare workers are not eligible to get the vaccine yet.
"We work with a group of children who congregate and yet we are not deemed essential enough to get the vaccine," said Zablocka. "We are working through this and even though we take all precautions and wear proper PPE, it would be nice to be vaccinated as well for our own peace of mind and safety."
Lisa McKenzie who also works at the centre has not been able to get a vaccine, but would love the opportunity to do so.
"Every day we come into work with a smile on our face and are ready to concur the day. What we are really feeling is uneasy, stressed and overwhelmed with the growth in numbers and the lack of protection for the Childcare industry," she said. "Facing the day seems to be becoming more difficult as we work what feels like endless days keeping the children happy and protected. In order to do that fully, we need to have the option to protect ourselves."
Since the pandemic, Paulus says many changes have been made to the centre's daily routines, with constant sanitizing, cleaning, disinfecting and making sure physical distancing measures are in place.
"Our staff come to work each day and provide care for the families who are essential workers and who are in need of working to make ends meet," said Paulus. "The families trust us daily with their children and the educators here provide excellent quality care."
She is frustrated with the government's lack of support for those working in childcare settings.
"(Stephen) Lecce paints a very good picture of how childcare is going to run but he has not stepped into the shoes of an educator in a child care setting for one full day to see how we need to make this happen/possible," she lamented. "Our children range in abilities and disabilities and therefore, our staff take risks every day. Children cannot all wear masks due to age and abilities but we still care for them as we will not deny the care they need."
EduKids recently had a COVID case in their Kindergarten Room of 16 students. The infected child also attended a school in town.
"Asymptomatic cases are creeping up everywhere in young children and this is even scarier to our educators," said Paulus.
Thankfully, all remaining 15 children in the Kinder program received a negative test after isolating two weeks, "but we cannot keep taking chances if the vaccine is made available to our educators. We need to stop the spread!" said Paulus.
Paulus has written to all levels of government in hopes of having her voice heard on behalf of childcare workers across the province.
"I have the best team of educators and I want to keep them safe!" said Paulus. "With the cases rising and everyone on edge, centres could be forced to close. If centres close, families will have no options, workplaces will suffer and families will not be able to make ends meet."
