Respiratory Virus Guidance: Child Care, Elementary & Secondary Schools

This page includes respiratory virus guidance and resources that may be applicable for both child care centres (includes licensed child care centres, home child care agencies, before and after school programs and early years programs) and schools (JK to grade 12).

For information on other School Health resources visit our Health Information & Resources for Elementary & Secondary Schools webpage.

Everyone has a role to play to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses (such as COVID-19, RSV and the flu). The actions you take will protect you, loved ones and those most vulnerable in our community.

Use the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Self-Assessment Tool if you have symptoms and follow additional guidance when needed. Individuals should look for new, different or worsening symptoms. Symptoms should not be chronic or related to other known causes or conditions.

Stay Home (Self-Isolate) if you are Sick

Self-isolate means:

  • Stay home and do not attend work, school, child care or other public places.
  • Only leave home if there is a medical emergency or to get a clinical assessment or test. See COVID-19 Clinical Assessments and Testing  for more information.

Follow Extra Measures means:

For 10 days after the start of symptoms:

  • Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including schools/child care, unless less than two years of age);
  • Avoid non-essential activities where you need to take off your mask (e.g., playing a wind instrument in music class or removing your mask for sports or dining out),
  • Avoid visiting anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors)
  • Avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes

Follow this advice even if you test negative for COVID-19 or you did not do a test. These measures are an added layer of prevention against the spread of respiratory viruses including COVID-19.

Additional guidance and longer self-isolation is recommended if your are immunocompromised or residing in a highest risk setting OR hospitalized. Visit the Ontario Ministry of Health’s website for more information.

Get Tested and Treated if Eligible

Visit our Reduce Respiratory Virus Spread Guide webpage for more information on how to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.

Use the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Self-Assessment Tool if you are sick or have any symptoms of illness or tested positive for COVID-19, to see what to do next. The self-assessment is also available in French.

You can also download Toronto Public Health’s Screening Poster .

Reporting a Communicable Disease to Toronto Public Health:

  • If a disease of public health significance is suspected/confirmed, child care centres and school principals/administrators must report to the Communicable Disease Notification Unit (CDNU) at 416-392-7411 during business hours Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, or fax: 416-392-0047.
  • Exception for COVID-19: Current provincial guidelines do not require child care centres and schools to report positive cases of COVID-19 to Public Health.

At this time, the risk of MPOX (formerly known as monkeypox) to children in Toronto is low. Learn more about MPOX, including how to spot the differences between MPOX, Chickenpox and Hand, Foot & Mouth disease. 

Non-reportable communicable diseases do not need to be reported to public health. Examples of non-reportable communicable diseases include: the common cold; hand, foot and mouth disease; pink eye; ringworm; and strep throat. See the Communicable Disease Information for Schools & Child Care Centres for more information about common reportable and non-reportable diseases.

Please refer to the Infection Prevention and Control Measures for more information on infection prevention and control in child care centres.

Visit Early Learning & Child Care Partners to see Toronto Children’s Services’ resources and supports available to child care centres.

Read Toronto Public Health’s respiratory virus information for parents and caregivers, including what parents need to know if their child is sick or is identified as a close contact at home or in the community.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines. For information about COVID-19 vaccines for children, visit Toronto Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccines for Infants, Children & Youth webpage.

Routine immunization for children and youth is still important during COVID-19. Learn more about routine childhood vaccines and visit the Childhood Vaccines – Quick Reference Guide webpage.

The table below includes links to resources that may be helpful for school administrators, child care operators, parents/caregivers and students/children. Please check the links often as the information is updated on a regular basis.

Guidance Documents:

Source Resource Link Audience
Government of Ontario COVID-19: health and safety measures for child care Staff in child care centres

TPH Contact List for Child Care/Schools: How to Report Child Care/School Absenteeism

Source Resource Link Audience
Toronto Public Health Communicable Diseases in Child Care Centres and Schools Child care operators / School administrators

Screening Tools and Related Resources:

Source Resource Link Audience
Toronto Public Health Screening Questionnaire Staff and children/students in child care centres and schools
Toronto Public Health Who is a close contact in the community Staff and parents/caregivers of children/students in child care centres and schools

General COVID-19 Resources:

Source Resource Link Audience
Government of Ontario Provincial COVID-19 Testing Locations and Clinical Assessment Centres Parents/caregivers of children/students in child care centres and schools
SickKids About Kids Health-COVID-19 Staff, families, and children/students

Vaccine Resources:

Source Resource Link Audience
Toronto Public Health Flu vaccine webpage Staff, families, and children/students
Toronto Public Health Routine childhood immunizations webpage Staff, families, and children/students
Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Resources (available in multiple languages) Staff, families, and children/students
Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Vaccines Staff, families, and children/students
Toronto Public Health Information on COVID-19 vaccines and children Staff, families, and children/students
Toronto Public Health COVID-19 & Vaccines: Children Staff, families, and children/students

Hand Hygiene/Respiratory Etiquette Resources:

Source Resource Link Audience
Toronto Public Health Clean Hands Kit resource package Students in grades 4 – 6
Health Canada Hand washing heroes Students in grades JK – 3
Health Canada Coughing and sneezing hygiene for kids Students in grades JK – 3
City of Toronto Cover your Cough Staff in child care centres and schools to use as needed
Toronto Public Health Cover Your Cough Poster Staff in child care centres and schools to use as needed
Toronto Public Health Wash your Hands Staff in child care centres and schools to use as needed
Toronto Public Health Hand Washing Poster Staff in child care centres and schools to use as needed
Toronto Public Health Hand Sanitizing Poster Staff in child care centres and schools to use as needed

Masks Resources:

Source Resource Link Audience
City of Toronto How to wear a mask at school/child care Staff and students/children in child care centres and schools
Toronto Public Health How to safely wear a mask Staff and students/children in child care centres and schools
Toronto Public Health Face Mask and Coverings Offer  Best Protection Staff and students/children in child care centres and schools
Toronto Public Health When using a mask, choose one that is high quality and fits well Staff and students/children in child care centres and schools
Toronto Public Health Face Masks & Respirators Staff, families, and children/students

Mental Health Resources:

Source Resource Link Audience
City of Toronto Self-Care Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety Staff, families, and children/students
City of Toronto COVID-19 Mental Health Support Staff, families, and children/students
Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Mental Health Resources Staff, families, and children/students
Toronto Public Health Taking Care of Your Mental Health and Well-Being Staff, families, and children/students
Toronto Public Health What is Resiliency? Staff, families, and children/students
Toronto Public Health Box Breathing Staff, families, and children/students
Government of Ontario Mental Health, Wellness and Addictions Support Staff, families, and children/students
School Mental Health Ontario School Mental Health Ontario Staff, families, and children/students

Infection Prevention and Control Websites:

Source Resource Link Audience
Government of Ontario – Ministry of Labour COVID-19 and workplace health and safety Child care operators and school administrators
Government of Ontario – Ministry of Labour COVID-19 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act Child care operators and school administrators
Government of Canada Hard-surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers (COVID-19): List of disinfectants with evidence for use against COVID-19 Child care operators and school administrators
Toronto Public Health Infection Prevention and Control in Child Care Centres Child care operators and staff

This information is also available in French.