Childcare centres in schools were closed as of March 20th on government order.

Beginning today, they will be used to provide child care services to support staff and other employees who are delivering services related to the pandemic response.

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gord Wyant said that he was aware of the impact that the sudden change would have on families.

"During these times, we are looking for everyone to contribute to the support for the broad community response to the COVID-19 virus."

Priority for the spaces in school daycares will be given to staff in health care and other pandemic response workers who have infant, toddler, preschool and school-age children.

People who are eligible for these child care spaces include;

  • Employees directly related to providing essential services in health care including employees working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, community, and primary health, home care, personal care homes, labs, pharmacies, COVID-19 assessment and testing sites, scheduling departments, and payroll departments including nurses, physicians, and physician clinic staff, emergency medical services staff, and other staff essential to the operations of these facilities/departments;
  • Employees working directly in child protection, income assistance, and community living connected to the Ministry of Social Services;
  • Employees working directly in residential services connected to the Ministry of Social Services;
  • Child care centre employees of licensed child care facilities;
  • Employees directly related to providing essential services in SaskPower, SaskEnergy, SaskTel, water, and wastewater management;
  • Employees directly related to providing essential services for police and fire.

At the time, the government did state that these measures were subject to change.

The statement was made on the March 20, 2020; one day before the government enacted ever more strict guidelines on daycares, such as limiting the maximum number of children to eight and ensuring that any daycare that is located next to long-term care or personal care homes be segregated with a private entrance.

Whether or not those changes will affect this use of school daycare facilities for health care workers has not been announced.