Tag: Huron County

The County of Huron, Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) and London Bridge Child Care Services are excited to announce the opening of a ‘Family Age Grouping’ Child Care program at Exeter Elementary School.

In December 2017, the Ministry of Education announced Exeter Elementary School was approved for Early Years Capital Program Funding. The approved funding was for a ‘Family Age Grouping’ with a licensed capacity of 15 children. This program is the first of its kind in Huron County and will bring children of all ages together into one space instead of being separated by age groups as is the typical model in child care.

“Families across the province deserve access to quality, licensed child care in their own communities,” said Ontario’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “By committing up to $1 billion over five years to create new child care spaces, including up to 10,000 spaces in new schools, our government is suporting working families and ensuring children receive the care they need.”

This joint capital project with the County of Huron and the AMDSB, began in September 2019. AMDSB accepted the tender from Elgin Contracting and Restoration Ltd. to proceed with the project in a contract amount of $567,657. The work included renovating an existing resource room on the west side of the school and infilling the adjacent alcove to construct a 127 square metre space. The space includes cubbies, washroom and change area, sleep room, food prep area, storage room and a separate meeting/staff room. The Child Care has an entrance at the west side exterior vestibule.

London Bridge Child Care Services, who operates the Relouw Early Childhood Learning Centre across from Exeter Elementary School, is the provider for the program. London Bridge offers licensed child care programs and before/after school programs in London, Sarnia, Exeter, Hensall and Zurich. This unique program provides an opportunity for siblings to be together during the day and supports their belief about learning from others, regardless of age.

“The County of Huron is pleased to partner with London Bridge Child Care Services and the AMDSB, to offer this child care program that will help to support children and families in our communities.” said Huron County Warden, Jim Ginn. “This centre will be providing holistic environments where children of all ages can foster relationships with peers, educators, and their community.”

“The Avon Maitland DSB is grateful for this funding from the Ministry of Education, which has allowed for the creation of these essential child care spaces in the Exeter community. We are pleased to continue our positive relationship with the County of Huron and London Bridge Child Care Services, as they provide high quality care for future Exeter Elementary School students.” says Cheri Carter, Superintendent of Corporate Services.

“This is great news for local families who have been waiting for much needed child care spaces to the Exeter area,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson. “I often hear concerns about the lack of affordable child care, so I look forward to seeing the benefits of this unique approach for some of our youngest community members.”

[Huron County, Ontario] – Many local businesses in Huron County are challenged to continue staying open or maintain regular operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The County of Huron Recovery Team is focused on ensuring that business owners have the information and support that they need to make informed decisions and continue to operate.

“It’s clear that immediately going back to business as usual any time soon is unlikely, but the County is committed to helping all businesses maintain operations as much as possible,” says Warden Jim Ginn. “Regardless of a business’ situation, we need to ensure that we are doing what we can to help them adapt to the ‘new normal.’ We are dedicated to working collaboratively and supporting the local business community.”

The Recovery Team is reaching out to all local businesses to offer support, gather data on the impact of COVID-19 and lay the groundwork for developing recovery strategies. Along with this, they continue to work closely with all levels of government and regional partners so they can provide the most up-to-date information for businesses, including access to programs and relief opportunities available to them.

Huron County Economic Development remains virtually operational offering:

Business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday at (519) 524-8394 ext. 6;

Entrepreneur and Business Coaches available to provide guidance and support with the emerging and immediate needs of the business community;

Webinars and online training to help businesses and entrepreneurs navigate the rapidly changing environment, replacing previously scheduled in person workshops;

Workforce support to businesses in need of employees to fill essential roles;

An online resource for business support providing the latest information on government updates, relief packages and business supports available at huroncounty.ca.

For business support, contact [email protected] or call (519) 440-1267.

Huron County continues to urge all residents to practice physical distancing and proper hygiene protocols outlined by the Provincial Medical Officer of Health. Stay informed on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Huron County by visiting the Huron-Perth Public Health website.

[Huron County, Ontario] – The County of Huron has been notified of one (1) confirmed case of COVID-19 for a staff member within the Huronview Home for the Aged in Clinton. At this time, there are no resident cases of COVID-19.

Huronview Home for the Aged is working closely with Huron Perth Public Health to identify who that individual has been in contact with before their symptoms started. Residents, staff and community members who are determined to be at risk are being contacted to prevent further spread of illness in the Home or in the community.

Rigorous COVID-19 testing will begin this evening for all staff and residents within Huronview. Using proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Huron County healthcare providers are being brought on-site to assist with the swabbing. Huronview Home for the Aged is working with the Huron Perth Medical Officer of Health for further infection control support, all staff and residents are following the recommended preventative actions.

To help control the spread of COVID-19, the Province has directed long-term care homes to declare an outbreak if a resident or staff member tests positive. In addition to measures already in place, effective immediately, the following new outbreak measures are in effect at Huronview Home for the Aged:

All palliative visitors are now restricted within Huronview Home for the Aged

If a resident is taken home while the Home is in an outbreak, the resident will not be re- admitted until the outbreak is over.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure we stop the spread of this virus within our Home”, says Warden Jim Ginn. “We are in very close communication with Huron Perth Public Health and all precautions are being taken to protect our residents, as well as our valued staff.”

As always, the wellbeing and safety of every member of the Homes for the Aged community is the County’s first priority. The County’s long-term care staff continue to be committed in providing compassionate care for all residents and are taking every precautionary measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Stay informed on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Huron County by visiting the Huron- Perth Public Health website.

Huron County, ON – The Huron County Health Unit is seeing an increase in hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) also called coxsackie. They are advising residents, particularly parents of children attending daycares, to stop the spread of infection by increasing hand washing.

Public Health Nurse Dori Taylor says hand foot and mouth infections may cause fever, poor appetite and blisters in mouth, on palms of hands and bottom of feet. The virus can be found in saliva, blister fluid and stool and is spread from person-to-person by unwashed hands.

Taylor encourages children be kept home from daycare if they are sick and may return when able to participate in normal activities. There is no specific treatment for HFMD and most people will recover in a few days.

“Hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds is the best way to prevent the spread of this infection as well as other infections” says Taylor. Using an alcohol based hand sanitizer with between 70-90% alcohol when hands are not visibly dirty can also work. Hands should be cleaned after using the washroom, after changing diapers, after shaking hands and before preparing and eating food.

Zurich, ON – The Zurich Branch of the Huron County Library will be closed from June 2 – 7 due to the move to the newly built branch at 10 Goshen St. Zurich, ON. This closure may be extended, so the public is encouraged to call before coming on June 9. The offical grand opening date has not been set at this time.

During this time, local patrons are invited to use one of the other 11 branches in Huron County. Locations can be found at: www.huroncounty.ca/library

Local users unable to get to the other branches will have their loan period automatically extended. For updated information on the closure please call 519.482.5457.

The Huron County Library would like to thank all the community partners for their generous support and assistance. The new branch is a beautiful addition to the community.

Huron County, ON – Do you love reading and using the library, but struggle with getting your books back on time? If you are between the ages of 0 and 16 you have the chance to erase those overdue library fines by reading!

From June 23rd to July 11th, children ages 0-16 can ‘pay’ their overdue library fines by reading at home or at the library. Often fines create a deterrent, especially for children, from using the library. If an individual’s fines become too great, they cannot use the library’s book-borrowing services.

The Read Away Fines program provides a 3 week window where children with fines can visit the library and ‘pay’ down these fines through reading. Every 15 minutes of reading removes $1.00 in fines, to a maximum of $20.00.

Participation is easy! Follow these simple steps:

VISIT one of the twelve Huron County Library locations and ask staff about the program. Make sure you bring your library card!
SIGN UP. Staff will give you a log sheet and reading contract, which must be signed by a parent.
READ at home or in the library. For every 15 minutes of reading during the program time period, you will erase $1.00 in fines. You can remove $4.00 in fines for one hour of reading, and so on to a maximum of $20.00.
LOG your book titles and the time you spend reading.
ERASE YOUR FINES. Once you’ve reached your Reading Goal, bring your log sheet back to the library and show it to the staff. The staff members will confirm you’ve met your goal, and your outstanding fines will be reduced!

Some restrictions apply. Children with more than $10.00 in fines will not be allowed to check out books, and will have to do their reading in the library.

Only fines on children’s items may be read away. The fines may appear on the child’s card or their parent or guardian’s card. Only late fines may be read away; fines for lost or damaged items, processing fines or collection service fees may not be read away.

Books read for Read Away Fines can also be logged for children attending the TD Summer Reading Club in July and August 2014.

Now’s your chance to start fresh at the Huron County Library, right at the beginning of summer! Read Away your Fines! Ask library staff for more details.

Contact Courtney McDonald, Summer Library Assistant for the Huron County Library at 519.482.5457 or cmcdonald [at] huroncounty.ca for more information.

Huron County, ON – Kids get to put their imagination in gear and go at the sixth annual children’s literacy event, “Touch-the-Truck”, on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Touch the Truck. Saturday, June 14th 9 AM – Noon, Lavis Park, Holmesville

What child doesn’t dream about getting behind the wheel of a fire truck

Huron County, ON – The Huron County Health Unit is pleased with the new law that bans young people from using tanning beds.

Starting May 1, people under 18 years old will no longer be allowed to use tanning beds in Ontario.

The health unit has supported a provincial movement to protect young people, who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, from skin cancer.

The new law requires tanning bed operators to post signs in their business about this restriction and that warn of the dangers associated with tanning bed use. Operators will be required to ask for proof of age identification and will not be allowed to promote tanning services to youth under 18.

Public Health Inspector Roxana Nassiri says the new law is an important step in preventing skin cancer. “I’m very glad this has passed before prom season, when so many young people go to tanning salons. This is a good first step in helping people realize that a tan is actually unhealthy.”

The incidence of melanoma in Ontario has been rising in youth and young adults. The World Health Organization reports that the risk of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, increases by 75 per cent when tanning beds are used prior to the age of 35.

Huron County, ON – Need stuff to do this summer? Then get your Guide! The Library Guide outlines the activities and programs at the Huron County Library for the months of May – August. There are programs for all ages, clubs, and even community postings for events not at the library. This guide covers all 12 branches, so there is bound to be something in your area. Rainbow Loom clubs, Family Photo Scanning, TD Summer Reading Club, and Shark Week are just a few of the nifty programs available.

The Guide is available online in accessible format and in print.

For more information contact at your local Huron County Library Branch, or go on the website at www.huroncounty.ca/library