'It might mean shutting down': Child care centres struggling amid high staff and child sickness
High absentee rates and staff shortages are causing some child care centres to close or reduce their hours.
KidFit 60, a childcare centre for pre-school aged children with a focus on being active, is experiencing a large number of kids away sick.
"Last week, I'm going to say we had about ten children gone from the downstairs room and 16 gone from the upstairs, so a lot of absences lately," said Kaylyn Davis, an early childhood educator at KidFit 60.
That's almost 40 percent of their program, extreme numbers other daycares are also facing.
"This week, especially today, we are at 50 per cent, so we have had a significant increase in absenteeism in children," said Lynda Raible, executive director of Earl Grey Children's Centre.
A recent survey from the Manitoba Child Care Association found 87 per cent of facilities are seeing high levels of illness.
On average, a quarter of children were out sick, but some reported absentee rates as high as 60 per cent.
"I have been in the early childhood system for over 30 years. I don't think I've seen this level of illness in my time. Like this is really significant," said Jodie Kehl, the association's executive director.
Kehl said the most common illnesses reported inside childcare facilities right now are the common cold and flu, with RSV and COVID-19 contributing to the problem.
STAFFING ISSUES
On top of absentee children, child care centres are also seeing staff calling in sick.
"We have had a lot of staff shortages," said Davis. "We have had staff with bronchitis and just the flu itself. It's hard to get staff on call just because there are shortages all in Winnipeg right now."
While most daycares have been able to balance the staff-to-child ratio amid the influx of sick calls, it can cause major problems when they're short.
This is resulting in facilities having to make some dire decisions right now in terms of reducing their hours of operation," said Kehl.
"A few facilities have actually had to close their door for a couple of days until their staff is well enough to come back and resume operations."
An unwanted yet very real option places like Earl Grey Children's Centre are facing.
"It might mean closing early. It might mean asking parents to pick them up. It might mean shutting down for the day or shutting down programs," said Raible.
Raible said it can be a big but necessary strain on parents for their kids to stay home sick.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.