To: All Families & Educators

From: Board of directors, Cook’s School Day Care Inc.

Date: March 14, 2020

Cook’s School Day Care Inc is committed to providing healthy and safe early learning programs for our children families, educators and community.  After much deliberation and discussion with stakeholders, we have made the very difficult decision to close our centre effective immediately in an effort to work with all levels of government to contain the spread of COVID-19.

At this time, it is our expectation that we will resume normal operations on Monday, April 6^th, 2020.

Cook’s Home Child Care Program:  At this time, Priscilla has made the difficult decision to close her home-based child care program until Monday, April 6^th, 2020.  Maria and Diane’s home-based programs remain open at this time.

We are closely monitoring all recommendations made by our local Health Unit, the County of Northumberland and the Ministry of Education.  Cook’s will respond, as always, to any direction given from authorities.  Public Health continues to assure that the risk of becoming ill from COVID-19 remains low in Ontario.

We understand that this creates significant hardship for our families, and we do not take this decision lightly.  Cook’s School Day Care Inc., including our Board of Directors, are seeking every opportunity available to support the wellbeing of our staff and educators during these closures.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and respect the direction and advice provided by public health authorities. Updates will be provided as the situation evolves and factual information is available.

Health authorities continue to stress taking the same precautions which are recommended every year for cold and influenza season. These include:

• • wash hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • sneeze and cough into your sleeve
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
  • avoid contact with people who are sick

For your reference, here are the hotlines that have been set up to help you access up-to-date information, get answers to your questions about COVID-19, and connect with health professionals if needed:

• Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5020 https://www.hkpr.on.ca/
• Ontario Ministry of Health (416) 235-6556 / 1 (877) 604-4567
• Health Canada 1 (833) 784-7397
• Telehealth Ontario 1 (866) 797-0000

For more information on COVID-19, please visit  Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit, the Ontario Ministry of Health or Health Canada websites.