Winning practices to mitigate the negative effects of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic in the early childhood sector in French Ontario.

Google translate: Last March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government announced the closure of all daycares, with the exception of emergency childcare services. For daycares, the future is unknown; the date and conditions for a return to "the new normal" is difficult to anticipate, both for public health professionals and for those working in early childhood. Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, several organizations are showing innovation to adapt to this unprecedented situation. The latter invest in adapting and redirecting the work of professionals in the sector, particularly educators. In the sector, due to the absence of children and families, these closures have direct consequences on the work context of individuals, i.e. 1) layoffs 2) teleworking and 3) emergency services. . For many, the tasks are partially or entirely reoriented; telecommuting and the use of technology are new work tools for many. Regardless, "employees may experience a high level of uncertainty, worry, anxiety and stress regarding the health and safety of their loved ones and how covid-19 (coronavirus) may disrupt their work and their personal life". The objective of this applied research project, a collaboration between Collège Boréal and the Association francophone à l'éducation des services à l'enfants de l'Ontario (Aféseo), is to quickly identify winning practices to mitigate negative effects of social distancing and professional and cultural isolation in the early childhood sector in French Ontario in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and, indirectly, contributing to the retention of staff in the field.]