Child care licensing standards
Licensed child care providers have to meet certain provincial health, safety and caregiver training standards. These standards are set out in the Day Nurseries Act and Regulation 262.
Find out more about the Day Nurseries Act and see photos, videos and interactive graphics that explain the requirements.
Staff of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services make unannounced inspections of all licensed child care programs to:
- make sure that provincial standards are being met
- investigate complaints
- issue and renew licences
- monitor operators who are having difficulty meeting licensing standards
Types of licences
- A regular licence means that the child care program has met all the licensing standards on the day of the inspection.
- A provisional licence means that, when last inspected, the child care program has not met one or more licensing requirements. If the child care operator needs time to meet these requirements, the ministry may give the child care operator a specific period of time to make the changes needed to meet the requirements.*
- A suspended licence -- The Ministry of Children and Youth Services can suspend a program's licence if there is a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the children. When this happens, the location cannot operate until the operator complies with the "Notice of Direction" from the ministry and the program remains closed.
*A provisional licence does not mean that the children are unsafe or that the program is about to close. If, at any time, an inspection shows that there may be a threat to a child's health, safety or welfare, the ministry will take immediate steps to protect the well-being of the children in care.
See also: Terms and conditions of licences.
When is "illegal" child care investigated?
Ministry staff investigate complaints from the public about a person who may be taking care of more than five unrelated children under the age of 10 without a licence. It is an offence under the Day Nurseries Act to provide care to more than five children without a licence. The ministry can prosecute people who provide child care without a licence. If convicted of the offence of providing child care without a licence, a person can be fined up to $2,000 per day.
It is also an offence to provide private-home day care at more than one location without a licence. Persons providing private home day care at more than one location without a licence can be prosecuted by the ministry and if convicted can be fined up to $2,000 per day.
Licensing standards
Beginning in June 2009, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services requires all licensed child care operators to post a summary of their inspection findings near their current licence at their child care centre or in the case of home child care, at the agency office. This summary provides information on how the centre met the provincial standards on the day of inspection. These standards cover:
- policies and procedures
- building and accommodation
- equipment and furnishings
- playground
- records
- staff and group size
- nutrition
- program
- health and medical supervision.
Child care centre operators need to have their policies available for you to see. These policies should cover:
- fire safety
- cleanliness
- what the centre does about serious matters such as child injuries, parent complaints, etc.
- criminal reference checks for staff, home child care providers and volunteers
- how the centre handles children’s behaviour
- how the centre provides medication to children.
The program must meet safety, space and temperature requirements.
All equipment and furnishings must be in good condition and appropriate for the age of the children.
The outdoor play space at the child care centre needs to have enough space for the children to play. Staff must be able to see all children at all times.
Operators must keep records such as:
- inspections
- insurance
- emergency information
- children’s immunizations
- attendance
- finances.
Child care centre operators must employ a certain number of staff to care for the children. Some of these staff must be Early Childhood Educators and members of the College of Early Childhood Educators.
Home child care agencies must employ qualified staff to support and monitor caregivers. Caregivers can provide child care for up to five children under the age of 10. The regulation sets out additional restrictions for the number of children cared for under the age of six.
Food that is provided must meet nutritional standards and requirements for children with food allergies. Menus must be available to parents.
Child care programs must have a parent handbook that outlines their program philosophy, fees and other administrative details. Program plans should list activities that promote the healthy growth and development of children.
Operators are required to have procedures to observe children for potential health issues, deal with ill children, as well as procedures for giving children medication.
