O. Reg. 137/15: GENERAL, Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, S.O. 2014, c. 11, Sched. 1
Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
ONTARIO REGULATION 137/15
GENERAL
Historical version for the period January 1, 2016 to May 8, 2016.
No amendments.
This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.
CONTENTS
PART I |
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Definitions |
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Exemptions: recreational and academic activities |
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Other exemptions |
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Counting children for home child care and unlicensed child care |
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PART II |
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Licensee responsible |
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Age categories |
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Ratios and maximum group sizes, child care centre |
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Home child care group sizes |
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Resource teacher |
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Supervision by adult at all times |
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Child care centres in schools |
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Compliance with health and safety standards, Building Code, Fire Code, etc. |
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Approval by director of plans re child care centre |
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Designated spaces |
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Play activity space |
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Play activity rooms |
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Resource area |
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Play materials, equipment and furnishings |
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First- or second-storey |
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Window glass |
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Artificial illumination |
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Temperature |
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Outdoor play space |
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Compliance with health and safety standards, Building Code, Fire Code, etc. |
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Home child care visitor |
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Play materials, equipment and furnishings |
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Temperature |
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Balconies |
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Outdoor play |
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Hazards |
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Medical officer of health recommendations, inspections |
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Sanitary practices |
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First-aid |
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Immunization |
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Child illness and accident |
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Daily written record |
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Serious occurrences |
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Anaphylactic policy |
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Administration of drugs or medications |
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Dogs and cats |
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Requirements re food and drink |
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Posting of menus and allergies |
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Special arrangements |
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Parent handbook |
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Program statement |
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Program requirements re activity, rest, sleep, outdoor play, etc. |
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Prohibited practices |
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Policies and procedures re program for children |
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Review of policies and procedures |
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Monitoring |
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Individualized support plan |
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Supervisor |
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Employee at child care centre |
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Resource teacher |
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Home child care visitor |
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Health assessments and immunization of staff |
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Staff training and development |
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Interpretation |
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Duty to obtain initial reference check |
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Exceptions |
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When new reference check or offence declaration needed |
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Break in employment or other relationship |
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Exception, where conflict with other legislation |
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Policies and procedures re reference checks |
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Transition |
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Emergency |
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Fire safety procedures and drills |
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Emergency telephone numbers |
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Contact information for parents |
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Insurance |
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Records re children |
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Release of information |
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Records re home child care providers |
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Copies of agreements |
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Financial records |
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Statistical information |
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PART III |
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Amount of administrative penalty |
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Application for review of notice of administrative penalty |
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Designated senior employee |
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PART IV |
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Fee for licence |
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Record retention |
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Prescribed manner of disclosure of no licence |
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Signage |
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Return of signage |
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Term of provisional licence |
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Criminal reference check |
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Power of director |
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PART V |
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Licences issued under the Day Nurseries Act |
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Approvals re child care centre or home child care agency |
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Records required under the Day Nurseries Act |
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Number of staff required for a child care centre other than a child care centre for children with special needs |
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Number of staff required for a child care centre for children with special needs |
PART I
iNTERPReTATION AND APPLICATION of Act
Definitions
“child care centre for children with special needs” means a child care centre that is licensed by the Minister to provide services only for children with special needs; (“centre de garde pour enfants ayant des besoins particuliers”)
“child with special needs” means a child whose cognitive, physical, social, emotional or communicative needs, or whose needs relating to overall development, are of such a nature that additional supports are required for the child; (“enfant ayant des besoins particuliers”)
“inspector” means an inspector appointed under section 28 of the Act; (“inspecteur”)
“integrated child care centre” means a child care centre that is licensed by the Minister to provide services for both children with special needs and children who do not have special needs; (“centre de garde integré”)
“licensed age group” means a group of children at a child care centre, where the group is in a specified age category set out in Schedule 1 or 2 for which a licensee is licensed to provide child care at the child care centre, and the terms “licensed infant group”, “licensed toddler group”, and so on, have corresponding meanings; (“groupe d’âge autorisé”)
“licensed capacity” means the maximum number of children, including the number in each age category, allowed to be receiving child care in the child care centre at one time as set out in the licence of the child care centre; (“capacité autorisée”)
“mixed-age grouping” means placing, within a licensed age group, children whose age does not fall within the age range specified for the age category of the licensed age group, as set out in Schedule 1; (“regroupement d’enfants d’âge mixte”)
“program adviser” means a person designated under section 68 of the Act; (“conseiller en programmes”)
“regulated health professional” means a health practitioner whose profession is regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991; (“professionnel de la santé réglementé”)
“serious occurrence” means,
(a) the death of a child while receiving child care at a home child care premises or child care centre, whether it occurs on or off the premises,
(b) any serious injury to a child while receiving child care at a home child care premises or child care centre, whether it occurs on or off the premises,
(c) fire or other disaster occurring at a home child care premises or child care centre,
(d) a complaint concerning operational, physical or safety standards at a home child care premises or child care centre, or
(e) abuse of a child within the meaning of the Child and Family Services Act by a staff member of a child care centre, a home child care provider at a home child care premises or any other person while the child receives child care at a home child care premises or child care centre, whether it occurs on or off the premises. (“événement grave”)
(2) Despite the definition of a “child with special needs” in subsection (1), nothing in this Regulation shall be interpreted as prohibiting a person with special needs who is older than 13 years but younger than 18 years from receiving a service set out in subsection 6 (1) of Ontario Regulation 138/15 (Funding, Cost Sharing and Financial Assistance) made under the Act.
Exemptions: recreational and academic activities
2. (1) The following factors shall be considered, as may be relevant, when ascertaining the primary purpose of a program or service described in paragraph 7 or 8 of subsection 4 (1) of the Act for the purpose of determining whether the program or service is provided in exempt circumstances:
1. The schedule of operation for the program or service, including the time of the year, the days of the week, the times of the day and the number of hours each day that the program is operated.
2. The ages of the children in the program or service.
3. Whether the program or service provides or organizes transportation for children to or from the program.
4. Whether the type of facility in which the program or service is held and the furnishings and equipment used for the program or service are suitable and intended for the purpose described in the paragraph.
5. The content of the program or service and the portion of time dedicated to the purpose described in the paragraph.
6. Whether the registration and administration for the program or service is coordinated with the registration and administration for one or more other programs or services offered by the same provider.
(2) A program or service described in paragraph 8 of subsection 4 (1) of the Act is provided in exempt circumstances for the purposes of subsection 4 (1) of the Act only if,
(a) the program or service is operated for children who are four years old or older or, if the care or supervision is provided on or after September 1 in a calendar year, will attain the age of four in that year;
(b) the program or service is not operated on the days and during the times when school is typically operated by a school board; and
(c) the primary purpose of the program or service, as ascertained in accordance with subsection (1), is not to provide temporary care for or supervision of children but rather to assist children with academic studies and skills.
Other exemptions
3. (1) Care or supervision that is provided as follows is prescribed, for the purposes of paragraph 11 of subsection 4 (1) of the Act, as an activity that is provided in exempt circumstances:
preparation for JK
1. Care or supervision that is provided as part of,
i. a program or service operated by a school board, a person with the written approval of a school board or by a family support program, or
ii. a program administered by a First Nation, by the Government of Canada for First Nation children or by a person with the written approval of a First Nation or the Government of Canada,
and the program or service,
iii. prepares children for entry into junior kindergarten,
iv. is provided only for pupils who are enrolled, or eligible to be enrolled, to begin junior kindergarten in a school,
A. in September of the calendar year in which the program or service is provided, or
B. if the program or service is provided after September 1 in a calendar year, in September of the following year, and
v. is operated for no more than 7.5 hours per week or 72 hours in total.
nutrition program
2. Care or supervision that is provided as part of a program or service where,
i. the purpose of the program or service is to provide children with a nutritious meal or snack to help ensure that the children will be well-nourished and ready to learn, and
ii. the program or service is operated for children in partnership with the children’s school, a family support program or an entity that is funded publicly or by a community organization.
service provided by regulated health professionals
3. Care or supervision that is part of a service for children with special needs that is provided by, or under the supervision of, a regulated health professional who is acting within the scope of his or her practice.
certain three-hour programs (transitional)
4. Care or supervision that is provided as part of a program or service that is not operated for more than three hours in a day and that,
i. is operated by a family support program provided for children who are four years old or older or, if the care or supervision is provided on or after September 1 in a calendar year, will attain the age of four in that year,
ii. is operated by a children’s recreation service provider listed in the Schedule to Regulation 797 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Recreation Programs) made under the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation Act, or
iii. is part of Ontario’s After School Program funded by the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation.
Note: On January 1, 2017, paragraph 4 of subsection 3 (1) is revoked. (See: O. Reg. 137/15, s. 92 (1))
(2) In this section,
“family support program” means any of the following programs that receives funding from the Ministry of Education:
1. Child Care Resource Centres.
2. Better Beginnings Better Futures.
3. Ontario Early Years Centres.
4. Parenting and Family Literacy Centres.
Counting children for home child care and unlicensed child care
4. (1) The following is prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 2 of subsection 6 (5) of the Act as a criterion that must be met by the child care provider in order for the provider’s own children not to be counted under that paragraph:
1. The child care provider has not been convicted of any offence under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 or the Day Nurseries Act.
(2) For the purposes of subparagraphs 2 i and ii of subsection 6 (5) of the Act, the children described in those provisions shall be counted on weekends and for any part of a weekday that is before 6 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
(3) Subsection (4) sets out situations that are additional to those described in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection 6 (5) of the Act in which a child care provider’s own child who is at a premises shall not be counted for the purposes of counting children at the premises under paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection 6 (3) of the Act.
Note: On August 31, 2017, subsection 4 (3) is revoked. (See: O. Reg. 137/15, s. 92 (2))
(4) If the child care provider provides care for fewer than two children who are younger than two years old and the child care provider meets the criteria mentioned in paragraph 1 of subsection (1),
(a) a child who is younger than six years old who is enrolled in and regularly attends grade 1 in a school operated by a school board shall not be counted on any day within the school board’s school year, as defined in the Education Act, other than weekends and any part of a weekday that is before 6 a.m. or after 7 p.m.; and
(b) a child who is of an age such that he or she would meet the eligibility requirements for enrolment in grade 1 in a school operated by a school board and who is instead enrolled in and regularly attends a grade 1 program administered by a First Nation or by the Government of Canada for First Nation children shall not be counted on any day within the school year that applies for the purposes of the program, other than weekends and any part of a weekday that is before 6 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Note: On August 31, 2017, subsection 4 (4) is revoked. (See: O. Reg. 137/15, s. 92 (2))
(5) For the purposes of subparagraphs 1 i and 2 i of subsection 6 (3) of the Act, children shall not be counted as follows:
1. A child who is 8 or 9 years old on August 31, 2015, shall not be counted on and after the day he or she turns 10 years old.
2. A child who is 10, 11 or 12 years old on August 31, 2015, shall not be counted at any time.
5. Revoked: O. Reg. 137/15, s. 92 (3).
PART II
OPERATION OF CHILD CARE CENTRES AND HOME CHILD CARE
Licensee responsible
6. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), every licensee shall be responsible for the operation and management of each child care centre or home child care agency it operates, including the program, financial and personnel administration of each such child care centre or home child care agency.
(2) A licensee may appoint a person who shall be responsible to the licensee for the day-to-day operation and management of each child care centre or home child care agency in accordance with subsection (1).
(3) Where a licensee or a person appointed under subsection (2) is absent, the powers and duties of the licensee or the person appointed under subsection (2) shall be exercised and performed by such person as the licensee designates.
(4) Every licensee of a child care centre shall employ a supervisor, who shall be a person described in section 53, who shall plan and direct the program of the child care centre, be in charge of the children, oversee the staff and who shall be responsible to the licensee.
(5) Unless otherwise approved by a director, every licensee of a home child care agency shall employ at least one full-time home child care visitor, who shall be a person described in section 56, for every 25 premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, who shall provide support at each such premises and monitor each such premises, and who shall be responsible to the licensee.
Ratios of Employees to Children and Group Size
Age categories
7. (1) For the purposes of this Part, children and groups of children, other than children with special needs, are categorized and referred to using the age category names set out in Schedule 1.
(2) Where this Regulation sets out different rules based on a child’s age or the age category of a licensed age group, the following applies in respect of children in a group in which mixed-age grouping is used, pursuant to section 8:
1. If a rule is stated as applying to a licensed age group in a specific age category, or to a child in that licensed age group, the rule applies to each child in the group as if each child’s age fell within the age category of the licensed age group.
2. If a rule is stated as applying to a child of a specific age, the rule applies to each child in the group according to his or her actual age.
Ratios and maximum group sizes, child care centre
8. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that in each child care centre it operates,
(a) the children are placed in groups according to the age categories set out Schedule 1 or 2;
(b) every licensed age group includes only children whose age falls within the age category of the group, subject to subsection (2); and
(c) for every licensed age group, the requirements set out in Schedule 1 or 2 that are applicable for the age group respecting the ratio of employees to children and the maximum group size are satisfied, whether children are on the premises or during activities off the premises, unless otherwise approved by a director.
(2) A director may give approval for a child care centre to use mixed-age grouping for any licensed age group set out in Schedule 1, but if a child care centre has licensed infant, toddler or preschool groups, the child care centre may use mixed-age grouping for only one such group for each age category.
(3) Despite clause (1) (c), the ratio of employees to children and the maximum group size applicable to licensed age groups for which a director has approved the use of mixed-age grouping shall be determined as follows:
1. Subject to paragraphs 2, 3 and 4,
i. if a licensed age group includes no more than 20 per cent children from a younger age category, the ratio and maximum group size requirements set out in Schedule 1 for the licensed age group applies, and
ii. if a licensed age group includes more than 20 per cent children from a younger age category, the ratio and maximum group size requirements set out in Schedule 1 for the youngest child in the group applies.
2. If, in a licensed kindergarten group, no more than 25 per cent of the children are older than three years but younger than 44 months, and all other children are kindergarten children, then the ratio and maximum group size requirements set out in Schedule 1 for kindergarten children apply.
3. If, in a licensed primary/junior school age group, no more than 25 per cent of the children are kindergarten children, and all other children are primary/junior school age children, the ratio and maximum group size requirements set out in Schedule 1 for primary/junior school age children apply.
4. If, in a licensed junior school age group, no more than 25 per cent of the children are 68 months or older but younger than nine years, and all other children are junior school age children, the ratio and maximum group size requirements set out in Schedule 1 for junior school age children apply.
(4) Despite subsections (1) and (3), except where the group receiving child care is a licensed infant group, during the periods of arrival and departure of children and during the rest period, the ratio of employees to children at a child care centre may be reduced to less than that required under this section, if the observed ratio is not less than two-thirds of the required ratio.
(5) The rules respecting when a supervisor of a child care centre may be counted for the purposes of meeting the ratios required under this section are as follows:
1. If fewer than five full-time employees are required to meet the ratios, the supervisor may be counted as a full-time employee.
2. If five or six full-time employees are required to meet the ratios, a full-time supervisor may be counted as a full-time employee for up to half the time a full-time employee is required to be on staff.
3. If seven or more full-time employees are required to meet the ratios, the supervisor shall not be counted as an employee.
(6) Every licensee shall ensure that, at each child care centre it operates,
(a) where fewer than six children who are not in a licensed infant group receive child care, there is at least one adult in attendance;
(b) where six or more children who are not in a licensed infant group receive child care, there are at least two adults in attendance;
(c) where fewer than four children in a licensed infant group receive child care, there is at least one adult in attendance; and
(d) where four or more children in a licensed infant group receive child care, there are at least two adults in attendance.
Home child care group sizes
9. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that the number of children receiving child care, including the children of the home child care provider, in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care does not exceed the number specified in the Act.
(2) Every licensee shall establish a maximum capacity in accordance with the Act for each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care and this capacity shall be set out in the agreement between the licensee and the home child care provider.
(3) Every licensee shall, before placing a child at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, consider whether the placement would provide safe accommodation for the child and for any children already at the premises, and for that purpose shall consider the following:
1. The ages of the children in the group.
2. Any special needs of the children in the group.
3. The ability of each child to evacuate independently in an emergency.
4. The experience and qualifications of the home child care provider.
5. The physical environment of the premises, including the total amount and distribution of space in the premises.
Resource teacher
10. (1) Every licensee of an integrated child care centre or home child care agency shall employ one resource teacher to plan and implement individual and small group experiences for every four children with special needs who receive child care in the child care centre or at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, and in respect of whom funds are provided under the Act, unless otherwise approved by a director.
(2) A resource teacher shall not be included when calculating the number of employees required to meet the ratio under subsection 8 (1) or (3).
Supervision by adult at all times
11. Every licensee shall ensure that every child who receives child care at a child care centre it operates or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care is supervised by an adult at all times, whether the child is on or off the premises.
Building, Equipment and Playground — Child Care Centres
Child care centres in schools
12. Clauses 13 (1) (d), (e) and (f), subsection 14 (2) and sections 15, 20, 21, 22 and 24 do not apply to a child care centre, or part of a child care centre, if the centre or part is located in a school and is licensed to provide child care only for children in licensed kindergarten, primary/junior school age or junior school age groups.
Compliance with health and safety standards, Building Code, Fire Code, etc.
13. (1) Every person who applies for a licence to operate a child care centre under section 20 of the Act shall at the time of application file with a director evidence that the premises to be used as a child care centre complies with,
(a) the laws affecting the health of inhabitants of the municipality or of the reserve of a First Nation, as the case may be;
(b) any rule, regulation, direction or order of the local board of health and any direction or order of the local medical officer of health that may affect the provision of child care;
(c) any by-law of the municipality or any by-law of the council of the First Nation on the reserve, as the case may be, and any other law for the protection of persons from fire hazards;
(d) any building by-law passed by the municipality pursuant to the Planning Act or any predecessor of that Act and any by-law of the council of the First Nation on the reserve to regulate the construction, repair or use of buildings;
(e) the requirements of Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code) made under the Building Code Act, 1992, where applicable;
(f) the requirements of Ontario Regulation 213/07 (Fire Code) made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, where applicable; and
(g) the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, where applicable.
(2) Every licensee who applies for the renewal of a licence to operate a child care centre shall file any evidence that the director may require that the premises used as a child care centre complies with the matters listed in subsection (1).
Approval by director of plans re child care centre
14. (1) Where a person proposes that a new building be erected or an existing building be used, altered or renovated for use as a child care centre or that alterations or renovations be made to premises used as a child care centre, the person shall not commence the erection, use, alteration or renovation until plans are approved by a director, except where the plans are approved by the Minister under section 22 of Ontario Regulation 138/15 (Funding, Cost Sharing and Financial Assistance) made under the Act.
(2) The plans referred to in subsection (1) shall include space designated for each item listed in subsections 15 (1) and (3).
Designated spaces
15. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that each child care centre it operates includes space designated for each of the following:
1. Washing, dressing and toileting.
2. Storage for toys, indoor play materials and equipment.
3. Storage for food.
4. Storage of required records.
5. Storage for medical supplies, cleaning materials and equipment and other hazardous substances.
6. Heating and electrical equipment.
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that the spaces in each child care centre it operates that are referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6 of subsection (1) are inaccessible to children.
(3) A licensee that operates a child care centre that has a program that runs for six hours or more in a day shall ensure that in addition to the spaces referred to in subsection (1) the child care centre has space designated for each of the following:
1. Eating and resting.
2. The preparation of food, if meals are prepared on the premises.
3. Storage for beds and linen.
4. A staff rest area.
5. Storage for outdoor play equipment.
6. Office area.
7. Outdoor play.
Play activity space
16. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), every licensee of a child care centre shall ensure that each child care centre it operates has play activity space of at least,
(a) 2.8 square metres of unobstructed floor space for each child in a licensed infant, toddler or preschool group, based on the licensed capacity; and
(b) 2.58 square metres of unobstructed floor space for each child in a licensed kindergarten, primary/junior school age or junior school age group, based on the licensed capacity.
(2) A director may approve a smaller amount of space than required under clause (1) (b) for a child care centre located in a school, provided that the room or area to be used by a licensed age group is used by the school for children who are the same age as the age category of the licensed age group.
(3) In the case of a child care centre for children with special needs,
(a) the play activity space referred to in subsection (1) shall be at least five square metres of unobstructed floor space for each child based on the licensed capacity; and
(b) at least one room shall be provided for every group of up to 12 children, with no room containing more than 12 children.
Play activity rooms
17. (1) Every licensee of a child care centre, except a child care centre for children with special needs, shall ensure that in each child care centre it operates,
(a) each licensed infant group has a separate play activity room and a separate sleeping area that is separated from any play activity area;
(b) each licensed toddler group has a separate play activity room;
(c) for licensed preschool groups, there is a separate play activity room for every 24 preschool children; and
(d) each licensed kindergarten, primary/junior school age or junior school age group has a separate play activity area, unless otherwise approved by a director.
(2) For the purposes of clause (1) (c), two licensed preschool groups may be in the same play activity room provided that there are no more than 24 children in the room.
Resource area
18. Every licensee of an integrated child care centre that provides child care for children with special needs shall ensure that each such child care centre it operates has one room or area set aside as a resource area for individual and small group experiences.
Play materials, equipment and furnishings
19. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that play materials in each child care centre it operates are,
(a) provided in numbers that are adequate to serve the licensed capacity of the child care centre;
(b) of sufficient variety to allow for rotation of the play materials in active use;
(c) available and accessible to the children throughout the day;
(d) of such type and design to allow the children to make choices and to encourage exploration, play and inquiry; and
(e) appropriate to support the learning and development of each child.
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that the following equipment and furnishings are provided in each child care centre it operates:
1. A table or counter space for every group of up to 10 children in a licensed infant group, based on the licensed capacity, that is adjacent to a sink and suitable for dressing or changing the diaper of one child at a time.
2. A table or counter space for every group of up to 15 children in a licensed toddler group, based on the licensed capacity, that is adjacent to a sink and suitable for dressing or changing the diaper of one child at a time.
3. Bedding for use during rest periods for each child who receives child care for six hours or more.
4. For each child in a licensed infant group who receives child care, a cradle or crib that complies with the standards for cradles and cribs in the regulations made under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act.
5. For each child in a licensed toddler group who receives child care for six hours or more, a cot.
6. For each child in a licensed preschool group who receives child care for six hours or more, a cot, unless otherwise approved by a director.
(3) Every licensee shall ensure that the play materials, equipment and furnishings in each child care centre it operates are maintained in a safe and clean condition and kept in a good state of repair, and that there is adequate storage available for the play materials.
First- or second-storey
20. Every licensee shall ensure that each room in each child care centre it operates that is for the use of licensed infant, toddler, preschool or kindergarten groups or for the use of children with special needs is on or below the second storey, unless otherwise approved by a director.
Window glass
21. (1) Section 10 of Regulation 262 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General), made under the Day Nurseries Act, as it read on the day before that Act was repealed, applies to every licensee of a child care centre that was licensed for the first time under the Day Nurseries Act after December 31, 1983 and that has a program that runs for six hours or more each day.
(2) Every licensee, other than a licensee to which subsection (1) applies, that has a program that runs for six hours or more each day shall ensure that the window glass area in each child care centre it operates complies with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code) made under the Building Code Act, 1992.
Artificial illumination
22. Every licensee shall ensure that artificial illumination in each play activity room of each child care centre it operates is at the level of at least 55 dekalux.
Temperature
23. Every licensee shall ensure that the temperature in each child care centre it operates is maintained at a level of at least 20 degrees Celsius.
Outdoor play space
24. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that each child care centre it operates that has a program that runs for six hours or more in a day has an outdoor play space that is at least equivalent to 5.6 square metres for each child based on the licensed capacity, unless otherwise approved by a director.
(2) Where the licensed capacity of a child care centre is greater than 64 children, the outdoor play space referred to in subsection (1) may be divided into two or more areas by a fence to allow all the children to use the play space at one time, if each fenced-in area is not used for more than 64 children at one time.
(3) Every licensee shall ensure that the outdoor play space at each child care centre it operates,
(a) is at ground level and adjacent to the premises, unless otherwise approved by a director;
(b) if used by licensed infant, toddler or preschool groups, is fenced to a minimum height of 1.2 metres and the fence is furnished with one or more gates that are securely closed at all times;
(c) if used by a licensed kindergarten group, is fenced to a minimum height of 1.2 metres and the fence is furnished with one or more gates that are securely closed at all times, unless otherwise approved by the director; and
(d) is designed so that the staff can maintain constant supervision of the children.
Building, Equipment and Playground — Home Child Care
Compliance with health and safety standards, Building Code, Fire Code, etc.
25. Every person who applies for a licence to operate a home child care agency under section 20 of the Act shall ensure that each premises the person oversees in which child care is to be provided complies with clauses 13 (1) (a), (b), (c) and (d).
Home child care visitor
26. (1) Every licensee of a home child care agency shall ensure that before a premises is used as a premises where the licensee is to oversee the provision of home child care, the premises, including the outdoor play space, is inspected by a home child care visitor employed by the licensee to ensure compliance with the Act and this Regulation and, where the premises is so used, that further inspections are carried out without prior notice to the home child care provider, at least once in every quarter of each calendar year, and at such other times as the director may require.
(2) The home child care visitor shall use any checklist provided by the director in performing an inspection of a home child care premises.
(3) The licensee shall ensure that a record is made of each inspection conducted under subsection (1).
Play materials, equipment and furnishings
27. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that there are written policies, practices and procedures with respect to the provision of equipment in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, and that the responsibilities of the licensee and each home child care provider in each such premises with respect to the equipment are contained in the written agreement referred to in subsection 75 (1).
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that play materials in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care are,
(a) provided in numbers that are adequate to serve the number of children receiving child care at the premises;
(b) of sufficient variety to allow for rotation of the play materials in active use;
(c) available and accessible to the children throughout the day;
(d) of such type and design to allow the children to make choices and to encourage exploration, play and inquiry; and
(e) appropriate to support the learning and development of each child.
(3) Every licensee shall ensure that the following equipment and furnishings are provided in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care:
1. For each infant who receives home child care at the premises, a cradle or crib or playpen that complies with the standards for cradles, cribs and playpens in the regulations made under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, and bedding.
2. For each child 18 months old up to and including five years old who receives home child care at the premises for six hours or more, a cot or bed and bedding.
(4) Every licensee shall ensure that the play materials, equipment and furnishings in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care are maintained in a safe and clean condition and kept in a good state of repair.
Temperature
28. Every licensee shall ensure that in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, the temperature is maintained at a level of at least 20 degrees Celsius.
Balconies
29. Every licensee shall ensure that in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, no child is permitted to play on a balcony unless an adult is present on the balcony.
Outdoor play
30. Every licensee shall ensure that outdoor play in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care is supervised in accordance with plans agreed upon by the home child care provider in that premises, a parent of each child receiving child care at the premises and a home child care visitor.
Hazards
31. Every licensee shall ensure that in respect of each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care,
(a) all poisonous and hazardous substances are inaccessible to children; and
(b) all firearms and ammunition are locked up and the key, if any, is inaccessible to children.
Health and Medical Supervision
Medical officer of health recommendations, inspections
32. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that any recommendation or instruction of a medical officer of health with respect to any matter that may affect the health or well-being of a child receiving child care at a child care centre the licensee operates is carried out by the staff of the child care centre.
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that, where a report is made by the local medical officer of health or any person designated by the local medical officer of health or the local fire department with respect to a child care centre operated by the licensee or a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, one copy of the report is kept on the premises of the child care centre or home child care agency and another copy is sent immediately to a program adviser.
(3) Every licensee shall ensure that in respect of each child care centre it operates and each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, a record is kept of all inspections made by any person referred to in subsection (2) and any inspector or program adviser, and that in the case of a child care centre any recommendations are recorded in the daily written record referred to in subsection 37 (1).
Sanitary practices
33. Every licensee shall ensure that there are policies and procedures with respect to sanitary practices in each child care centre it operates and in each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, and that those policies and procedures are followed in the centre or premises.
First-aid
34. Every licensee shall ensure that there is a first-aid kit and first-aid manual that is readily available for first-aid treatment in each child care centre it operates and in each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care.
Immunization
35. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that before a child who is not in attendance at a school, within the meaning of the Education Act, is admitted to a child care centre it operates or to a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, and from time to time thereafter, the child is immunized as recommended by the local medical officer of health.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where a parent of the child objects in writing to the immunization on the ground that the immunization conflicts with the sincerely held convictions of the parent’s religion or conscience or a legally qualified medical practitioner gives medical reasons in writing to the licensee as to why the child should not be immunized.
Child illness and accident
36. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that a daily observation is made of each child receiving child care in each child care centre it operates and in each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care before the child begins to associate with other children in order to detect possible symptoms of ill health.
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that where a child receiving child care at a child care centre it operates or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care appears to be ill, the child is separated from other children and the symptoms of the illness noted in the child’s records.
(3) Where a child is separated from other children because of a suspected illness, the licensee shall ensure that,
(a) a parent of the child takes the child home; or
(b) where it is not possible for a parent of the child to take the child home or where it appears that the child requires immediate medical attention, the child is examined by a legally qualified medical practitioner or a nurse registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
(4) Every licensee shall ensure that when a child receiving child care at a child care centre it operates or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care is injured,
(a) an accident report is made describing the circumstances of the injury and any first aid administered; and
(b) a copy of the report is provided to a parent of the child.
Daily written record
37. (1) Every licensee of a child care centre or home child care agency shall ensure that a daily written record is maintained that includes a summary of any incident affecting the health, safety or well-being of,
(a) any child receiving child care at a child care centre operated by the licensee;
(b) any staff at a child care centre operated by the licensee;
(c) any child receiving child care at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care; or
(d) any person providing child care at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care.
(2) If an incident described in clause (1) (a) or (c) occurs, the licensee shall ensure that a parent of the child is notified.
Serious occurrences
38. Every licensee shall ensure that,
(a) there are written policies and procedures with respect to serious occurrences in each child care centre operated by the licensee and each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, and that those policies and procedures are followed in the centre or premises;
(b) a report is provided to a program adviser of any serious occurrence in any child care centre operated by the licensee or any premises where it oversees the provision of home child care within 24 hours of its happening;
(c) a summary of the report provided under clause (b) and of any action taken as a result is posted for at least 10 business days in a conspicuous place at the child care centre or home child care premises; and
(d) the report and the summary of the report are each kept in accordance with section 82.
Anaphylactic policy
39. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that each child care centre it operates and each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care has an anaphylactic policy that includes the following:
1. A strategy to reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents.
2. A communication plan for the dissemination of information on life-threatening allergies, including anaphylactic allergies.
3. Development of an individual plan, with input from a parent of the child and the child’s physician, for each child with an anaphylactic allergy that includes emergency procedures in respect of the child.
4. Training on procedures to be followed in the event of a child having an anaphylactic reaction.
(2) The anaphylactic policy, the individual plan for a child with anaphylaxis and the emergency procedures in respect of the child shall be reviewed as follows:
1. By all employees, before they begin their employment.
2. By volunteers and students who will be providing temporary care for or supervision of children at the child care centre, before they begin providing that care or supervision.
3. By the home child care provider of a home child care premises, before the child is placed at that premises.
4. By volunteers and students who will be providing temporary care for or supervision of children at a home child care premises, before they begin providing that care or supervision.
5. By persons who are ordinarily residents of a home child care premises, or who are regularly at the premises, before the child is placed at that premises.
6. By each person described in paragraphs 1 to 5, at least annually after the first review and at any other time when substantive changes are made to the policy, plan or procedure.
(3) In this section,
“anaphylaxis” means a severe systemic allergic reaction which can be fatal, resulting in circulatory collapse or shock, and “anaphylactic” has a corresponding meaning.
Administration of drugs or medications
40. (1) Where a licensee agrees to the administration of drugs or medications, the licensee shall ensure that,
(a) a written procedure is established for,
(i) the administration of any drug or medication to a child receiving child care at a child care centre operated by the licensee or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, and
(ii) the keeping of records with respect to the administration of drugs and medications, including those records required under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada);
(b) all drugs and medications on the premises of a child care centre operated by the licensee or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care are,
(i) stored in accordance with the instructions for storage on the label,
(ii) administered in accordance with the instructions on the label and the authorization received under clause (d),
(iii) inaccessible at all times to children, and
(iv) in the case of a child care centre, kept in a locked container;
(c) one person in each child care centre operated by the licensee and in each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care is in charge of all drugs and medications and that all drugs and medications are dealt with by that person or a person designated by that person in accordance with the procedures established under clause (a);
(d) a drug or medication is administered to a child only where a parent of the child gives written authorization for the administration of the drug or medication and that included with the authorization is a schedule that sets out the times the drug or medication is to be given and amounts to be administered; and
(e) a drug or medication is administered to a child only from the original container as supplied by a pharmacist or the original package and that the container or package is clearly labelled with the child’s name, the name of the drug or medication, the dosage of the drug or medication, the date of purchase and expiration, if applicable, and instructions for storage and administration.
(2) Despite subclauses (1) (b) (iii) and (iv) and clause (1) (c), the licensee may permit a child to carry his or her own asthma medication or emergency allergy medication in accordance with the procedures established under clause (1) (a).
Dogs and cats
41. Every licensee shall ensure that every dog and cat that is kept on the premises of a child care centre it operates or premises where it oversees the provision of home child care is inoculated against rabies.
Requirements re food and drink
42. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that,
(a) each infant under one year old who receives child care at a child care centre operated by the licensee or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care is fed in accordance with written instructions from a parent of the child;
(b) where food or drink or both are supplied by a parent of a child receiving child care at a child care centre operated by the licensee or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, the container for the food or drink is labelled with the child’s name; and
(c) all food or drink is stored, prepared and served so as to retain maximum nutritive value and prevent contamination.
(2) Subject to section 44, every licensee shall ensure that each child one year old or older who receives child care at a child care centre it operates and or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care is given food and beverages in accordance with the following rules:
1. Where the child is present at meal time, a meal must be supplied and provided by the licensee or provider, except where otherwise approved by a director in the case of a child in a licensed kindergarten group or older child.
2. Between-meal snacks must be supplied and provided by the licensee or provider, except where otherwise approved by a director in the case of a child in a licensed kindergarten group or older child.
3. Where a child receives child care for six hours or more, the licensee or provider shall ensure that the total food offered to the child includes, in addition to any meals provided, two snacks.
4. Drinking water must be available at all times.
5. All meals, snacks and beverages must meet the recommendations set out in the Health Canada documents “Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide”, “Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis” or “Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants”, as amended from time to time, as the case may be.
Posting of menus and allergies
43. (1) Every licensee of a child care centre shall post planned menus for the current and following week in a conspicuous place in each child care centre it operates with any substitutions noted on the posted menus.
(2) A menu referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept by the licensee for thirty days after the last day for which it is applicable.
(3) Every licensee of a child care centre shall ensure that a list is posted in each cooking and serving area of each child care centre it operates that sets out the names of the children receiving child care in the child care centre who have food allergies or other food restrictions and their respective allergies or restrictions.
(4) Every licensee of a home child care agency shall ensure that each home child care provider in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care plans menus in consultation with a parent of the child and a home child care visitor and that the menu, and the meals and snacks that it provides, meet the requirements set out in the Health Canada documents “Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide”, “Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis” or “Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants”, as amended from time to time, as the case may be.
Special arrangements
44. Every licensee shall ensure that where special dietary and feeding arrangements have been made with the licensee with respect to a child receiving child care at a child care centre it operates or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, the arrangements are carried out in accordance with the written instructions of a parent of the child.
Parent handbook
45. (1) Every licensee shall have a parent handbook for each child care centre or home child care agency it operates which shall include,
(a) information about,
(i) the services offered and the age categories served,
(ii) the times when the services are offered and the holidays observed,
(iii) the fee for services and the admission and discharge policy, and
(iv) activities off the premises;
(b) a copy of the program statement described in section 46; and
(c) a list of the prohibited practices set out in section 48.
(2) The licensee shall ensure that the handbook is made available to,
(a) any parent considering whether to enter into an agreement with the licensee for the provision of child care; and
(b) a parent of every child who receives child care at a child care centre operated by the licensee or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care at the time the child starts receiving such care and at any time when the parent handbook is modified.
Program statement
46. (1) Every licensee shall have a program statement that is consistent with the Minister’s policy statement on programming and pedagogy issued under subsection 55 (3) of the Act and shall review the program statement at least annually for this purpose.
(2) The program statement shall reflect a view of children as being competent, capable, curious and rich in potential.
(3) The program statement shall describe the goals that guide the licensee’s program for children at a child care centre it operates or at a home child care premises it oversees, and the approaches that will be implemented in the program to,
(a) promote the health, safety, nutrition and well-being of the children;
(b) support positive and responsive interactions among the children, parents, child care providers and staff;
(c) encourage the children to interact and communicate in a positive way and support their ability to self-regulate;
(d) foster the children’s exploration, play and inquiry;
(e) provide child-initiated and adult-supported experiences;
(f) plan for and create positive learning environments and experiences in which each child’s learning and development will be supported;
(g) incorporate indoor and outdoor play, as well as active play, rest and quiet time, into the day, and give consideration to the individual needs of the children receiving child care;
(h) foster the engagement of and ongoing communication with parents about the program and their children;
(i) involve local community partners and allow those partners to support the children, their families and staff;
(j) support staff, home child care providers or others who interact with the children at a child care centre or home child care premises in relation to continuous professional learning; and
(k) document and review the impact of the strategies set out in clauses (a) to (j) on the children and their families.
(4) Every licensee shall ensure that all new staff, home child care providers, students and volunteers review the program statement prior to interacting with children and at any time when the program statement is modified.
(5) Every licensee shall ensure that the approaches set out in its program statement are implemented in the operation of its program at each child care centre it operates and each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care.
Program requirements re activity, rest, sleep, outdoor play, etc.
47. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that the program in each child care centre it operates is arranged so that,
(a) infants not yet able to walk are separated from other children during active indoor and outdoor play periods;
(b) children in licensed infant and toddler groups are separated from other children during active indoor and outdoor play periods; and
(c) each child who receives child care for six hours or more in a day spends time outdoors for at least two hours each day, weather permitting, unless a physician or parent of the child advises otherwise in writing.
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that the program in each child care centre it operates is arranged so that,
(a) each child in a licensed toddler or preschool group who receives child care for six hours or more in a day has a rest period not exceeding two hours in length; and
(b) a child in a licensed toddler, preschool or kindergarten group is permitted to sleep, rest or engage in quiet activities based on the child’s needs.
(3) Every licensee shall ensure that the program in each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care is arranged so that,
(a) each toddler or preschool child who receives child care for six hours or more in a day has a rest period not exceeding two hours in length; and
(b) a toddler, preschool or kindergarten child is permitted to sleep, rest or engage in quiet activities based on the child’s needs.
(4) Every licensee shall ensure that the program in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care is arranged so that each child who receives child care for six hours or more in a day spends time outdoors for at least two hours each day, weather permitting, unless a physician or parent of the child advises otherwise in writing.
Prohibited practices
48. No licensee shall permit, with respect to a child receiving child care at a child care centre it operates or at a premises where it oversees the provision of child care,
(a) corporal punishment of the child;
(b) deliberate use of harsh or degrading measures on the child that would humiliate the child or undermine his or her self-respect;
(c) depriving the child of basic needs including food, shelter, clothing or bedding;
(d) locking the exits of the child care centre or home child care premises for the purpose of confining the child; or
(e) using a locked or lockable room or structure to confine the child if he or she has been separated from other children.
Policies and procedures re program for children
49. Every licensee shall ensure that there are written policies and procedures that set out,
(a) the expectations for how child care providers and other staff or volunteers are to implement the approaches specified in the program statement required under subsection 46 (1);
(b) the prohibited practices set out in section 48; and
(c) the measures that the licensee will use to deal with contraventions of the policies and procedures and with the commission of a prohibited practice.
Review of policies and procedures
50. (1) Every licensee shall review the policies and procedures required under section 49 at least annually.
(2) Every licensee of a child care centre shall ensure that the policies and procedures required under section 49 are reviewed as follows at every child care centre it operates:
1. With employees, before they begin their employment.
2. With volunteers or students who will be interacting with children at the child care centre, before they begin to volunteer or before they begin their educational placement.
3. With each person described in paragraph 1 or 2, at least annually after the first review and at any other time when substantive changes are made to the policies and procedures.
(3) Every licensee of a home child care agency shall ensure that the policies and procedures required under section 49 are reviewed as follows:
1. With each home child care provider at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, before any child is placed at that premises.
2. With volunteers or students who will be interacting with children at the child care centre, before they begin to volunteer or before they begin their educational placement.
3. With persons who are ordinarily residents of the premises or regularly at the premises, before they begin interacting with the children.
4. With persons who work at the home child care agency or with home child care visitors, before they begin their employment.
5. With each person described in paragraph 1, 2, 3 or 4, at least annually after the first review and at any other time when substantive changes are made to the policies and procedures.
(4) Every licensee shall ensure that a record is kept with the date of each review conducted under subsections (1), (2) and (3) and that each record is signed by the person who made the review, or in the case of a review made by a licensee that is a corporation, by an officer or employee of the corporation who had knowledge of the review.
Monitoring
51. (1) Every licensee of a child care centre or home child care agency shall have a written process that sets out,
(a) how compliance of the persons mentioned in subsection (2) with the approaches set out in the program statement will be monitored on an ongoing basis, recorded and addressed; and
(b) how occurrences of prohibited practices involving the persons mentioned in subsection (2) will be monitored on an ongoing basis, recorded and addressed.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the persons are,
(a) employees, volunteers and students who provide temporary care for or supervision of children at a child care centre or at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care; and
(b) each home child care provider at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care.
(3) Every licensee shall ensure that records of compliance or contraventions referred to in clause (1) (a) or (b) are kept in accordance with section 82.
Individualized support plan
52. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that an up-to-date individualized support plan is in place for each child with special needs who receives child care at a child care centre it operates or premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, and that the plan includes,
(a) a description of how the child care centre or the home child care provider will support the child to function and participate in a meaningful and purposeful manner while the child is in the care of the centre or provider;
(b) a description of any supports or aids, or adaptations or other modifications to the physical, social and learning environment that are necessary to achieve clause (a); and
(c) instructions relating to the child’s use of the supports or aids referred to in clause (b) or, if necessary, the child’s use of or interaction with the adapted or modified environment.
(2) The plan referred to in subsection (1) must be developed in consultation with a parent of the child, the child (if appropriate for the child’s age) and any regulated health professional or other person who works with the child in a capacity that would allow the person to help inform the plan.
(3) Every licensee of an integrated child care centre shall ensure that the program of the child care centre is so structured that,
(a) it will accommodate the individualized support plan of each child with special needs referred to in subsection (1);
(b) the program is appropriate for the ages and developmental levels of the children with special needs receiving child care in the child care centre; and
(c) the program is inclusive of all children.
Supervisor
53. A supervisor shall be a person who,
(a) is a member in good standing of the College of Early Childhood Educators, has at least two years of experience providing licensed child care and is approved by a director; or
(b) in the opinion of a director, is capable of planning and directing the program of a child care centre, being in charge of children and overseeing staff.
Employee at child care centre
54. (1) Every licensee shall employ in each child care centre it operates at least one person described in subsection (2) for each licensed age group that is the maximum group size or less for that age category as set out in Schedule 1 or 2.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the person is,
(a) a member in good standing of the College of Early Childhood Educators; or
(b) otherwise approved by a director.
Resource teacher
55. (1) A resource teacher shall be a person who,
(a) is a member in good standing of the College of Early Childhood Educators and has completed a post-secondary program of studies approved by a director that is both theoretical and practical and that relates to the needs of children with special needs; or
(b) is otherwise approved by a director.
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that every resource teacher has a valid certification in standard first aid, including infant and child CPR, issued by a training agency recognized by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board or otherwise approved by a director.
Home child care visitor
56. A home child care visitor shall be a person who,
(a) is a member in good standing of the College of Early Childhood Educators, has at least two years of experience working with children under 13 years old and is approved by a director; or
(b) is in the opinion of a director capable of providing support and supervision at a home child care premises.
Health assessments and immunization of staff
57. (1) Every licensee of a child care centre shall ensure that, before commencing employment, each person employed in each child care centre it operates has a health assessment and immunization as recommended by the local medical officer of health.
(2) Every licensee of a home child care agency shall ensure that, before any child is provided with home child care, each home child care provider at a premises at which the licensee oversees the provision of home child care and each person who is ordinarily a resident of the premises or regularly at the premises has a health assessment and immunization as recommended by the local medical officer of health.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply where the person, or where the person is a child, a parent of the person, objects in writing to the immunization on the ground that the immunization conflicts with the sincerely held convictions of the person or parent based on the person’s or parent’s religion or conscience or a legally qualified medical practitioner gives medical reasons in writing to the licensee as to why the person should not be immunized.
Staff training and development
58. (1) Every licensee of a child care centre or home child care agency shall ensure that there are written policies and procedures with respect to staff training and development for employees in each child care centre it operates, for home child care visitors employed by the licensee and for each home child care provider at a premises at which the licensee oversees the provision of home child care.
(2) Every licensee shall ensure that every employee working at a child care centre and every provider of home child care or in-home services has a valid certification in standard first aid, including infant and child CPR, issued by a training agency recognized by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board or otherwise approved by a director.
Staff Screening Measures and Criminal Reference Checks
Interpretation
“offence declaration” means a written declaration signed by an individual that lists all of the individual’s convictions for offences under the Criminal Code (Canada), if any, during the period specified in the declaration.
(2) Any requirement set out in sections 60 to 66 to obtain a criminal reference check, including a vulnerable sector check, shall be considered to be satisfied only if the criminal reference check is,
(a) conducted by a police force; and
(b) prepared no earlier than six months before the day it is obtained by the licensee.
Duty to obtain initial reference check
60. (1) Every licensee of a child care centre shall obtain a vulnerable sector check from,
(a) every employee, before the person begins their employment; and
(b) every volunteer or student who is on an educational placement with the licensee, before the person begins interacting with children at the child care centre.
(2) The following rules regarding vulnerable sector checks apply to every licensee of a home child care agency:
1. Before entering into an agreement with a home child care provider regarding the agency’s oversight of the provision of home child care at a premises operated by the provider, the licensee shall obtain a vulnerable sector check from,
i. the home child care provider,
ii. every person who is ordinarily a resident of the premises, and
iii. every person who is regularly at the premises.
2. After an agreement described in paragraph 1 is in place with a home child care provider, the licensee shall obtain a vulnerable sector check from,
i. every person who intends to become ordinarily resident at the premises, before the person becomes a resident, and
ii. every person who intends to be regularly at the premises, before the person begins interacting with children receiving child care at the premises.
3. The licensee shall also obtain vulnerable sector checks from,
i. every home child care visitor or any other staff at the home child care agency who may interact with children receiving child care at a home child care premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, before they begin their employment, and
ii. every volunteer or student who is on an educational placement with the licensee, before the person begins interacting with the children.
(3) For the purposes of fulfilling the requirement in clause (1) (b) or subparagraph 3 ii of subsection (2), a licensee may accept a copy of a vulnerable sector check instead of the original document, except that,
(a) if more than six months but less than five years have passed since the day the vulnerable sector check was performed, the volunteer or student must also provide an offence declaration that addresses the period since that day; and
(b) the licensee may not accept a copy of a vulnerable sector check if five or more years have passed since the day it was performed and in this case, the volunteer or student must provide a new vulnerable sector check or copy.
Exceptions
61. (1) Despite section 60, a licensee may permit a person who has not provided a vulnerable sector check to start their employment or volunteer position, or to start providing home child care or otherwise start interacting with children at a child care centre or home child care premises if,
(a) the licensee requires the person to apply to obtain a vulnerable sector check as soon as reasonably possible;
(b) the length of time required to obtain a vulnerable sector check justifies it; and
(c) the employer puts additional measures in place to protect children who interact with the person until the vulnerable sector check is obtained.
(2) Despite section 60, no person is required to provide or obtain a vulnerable sector check or offence declaration in respect of a person who is under 18 years old.
(3) If a person turns 18 years old while in a position where he or she interacts with children receiving child care at a child care centre operated by a licensee or home child care premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, the licensee shall obtain from the person, within one month after the person turns 18 years old, a statement that discloses every previous finding of guilt of the person under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada), if the person received an adult sentence.
(4) If a person turns 19 years old while in a position where he or she interacts with children receiving child care at a child care centre operated by a licensee or home child care premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care, the licensee shall require the person to apply to obtain a vulnerable sector check within one month after the person turns 19 years old.
When new reference check or offence declaration needed
62. (1) Every licensee of a child care centre or home child care agency shall obtain, from each person from whom it has previously obtained a vulnerable sector check,
(a) a new vulnerable sector check, on or before every fifth anniversary after the date of the most recent vulnerable sector check; and
(b) an offence declaration, in every calendar year except a year in which a vulnerable sector check is obtained.
(2) Each offence declaration shall be current to within 15 days of the anniversary date of the previous offence declaration or vulnerable sector check and shall address the period since the most recent offence declaration or vulnerable sector check.
(3) Subsection (1) applies only if the person continues to be in a position where he or she interacts with children receiving child care at a child care centre or home child care premises.
(4) Any person from whom a licensee is required to obtain a vulnerable sector check is required to provide the licensee with an offence declaration, as soon as reasonably possible, any time he or she is convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada).
Break in employment or other relationship
63. If a licensee’s relationship with a person in respect of whom it has previously obtained a vulnerable sector check terminates and then subsequently resumes, the licensee shall obtain a new vulnerable sector check or offence declaration as follows:
1. If the relationship was terminated for six or more months, the licensee shall obtain a new vulnerable sector check from the person before the relationship resumes.
2. If the relationship was terminated for less than six months and, but for the termination, the person would have provided a vulnerable sector check or offence declaration during the period of termination, the licensee shall obtain from the person such vulnerable sector check or offence declaration before the relationship resumes.
Exception, where conflict with other legislation
64. Despite any requirement in sections 60 to 63 that a licensee obtain a vulnerable sector check, if any statute of Ontario or Canada prohibits the disclosure of information contained in a vulnerable sector check in respect of a person, the requirement in those sections may be met by obtaining a criminal reference check.
Policies and procedures re reference checks
65. Every licensee shall ensure that there are written policies and procedures that address,
(a) the process of obtaining a vulnerable sector check;
(b) the process for submitting an offence declaration;
(c) how the confidentiality of information contained in a vulnerable sector check or offence declaration will be protected;
(d) the way in which any information revealed in a vulnerable sector check or offence declaration may be considered and used; and
(e) the additional measures that will be put in place when a situation described in subsection 61 (1) occurs to protect the children who interact with the person until the vulnerable sector check is obtained, such as requiring the supervision of all interactions between the person and the children.
Transition
66. If, as of the day this section came into force, a licensee has never obtained a vulnerable sector check from a person for whom the licensee is required to obtain such a check under section 60, or the most recent such check was obtained more than five years before the day this section came into force, the licensee shall require the person to apply to obtain a vulnerable sector check within 30 days after this section comes into force.
Emergency
67. Every licensee shall ensure that each child care centre it operates and each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care is equipped with telephone service or an alternative means of obtaining emergency assistance that is approved by a director.
Fire safety procedures and drills
68. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that in respect of each child care centre it operates,
(a) a written procedure approved by the local fire chief is established with respect to the duties of each member of the staff of the child care centre in the event of a fire;
(b) each staff member is instructed as to his or her responsibilities in the event of a fire before commencing work for the first time;
(c) the written procedure referred to in clause (a) is posted in a conspicuous place in each room in the child care centre that is used for the care of children;
(d) fire drills are conducted in accordance with subsection (2);
(e) a written record is kept of all fire drills, all tests of the fire alarm system and all tests of fire protection equipment and that each record is kept for at least 12 months from the date of the drill or test; and
(f) there is a designated place of shelter in the event the child care centre must be evacuated due to an emergency.
(2) For the purposes of clause (1) (d), the following rules apply:
1. A fire drill shall be conducted in respect of every child care centre, except a child care centre described in paragraph 2, at least once a month in accordance with Ontario Regulation 213/07 (Fire Code) made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.
2. A total evacuation fire drill shall be conducted in respect of every child care centre or part of every child care centre that is operated in a school and that provides services only to children who are pupils of a school board, including a third party program operated under section 259 of the Education Act, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 213/07,
i. at least three times during each fall and spring term the school is in operation, and
ii. at least three times or at least once a month, whichever is less, during the summer term the program is in operation.
(3) Every licensee shall ensure that a written procedure is established with respect to evacuation in the event of fire for each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care.
Emergency telephone numbers
69. Every licensee shall ensure that there is an up-to-date list of telephone numbers in each child care centre it operates and in each premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care that is accessible in the event of an emergency and that includes contact information for,
(a) emergency services;
(b) the nearest poison control centre;
(c) a taxi service; and
(d) the home child care agency, in the case of a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care.
Contact information for parents
70. Every licensee shall ensure that the following information is up to date and readily accessible in the event of an emergency to each staff member of each child care centre or home child care agency it operates and to each home child care provider at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care:
1. The home and work addresses and telephone numbers of a parent of each child receiving child care at the child care centre or home child care premises, and a telephone number of a person to be contacted if a parent cannot be reached.
2. Any special medical or additional information provided by a parent of each child receiving child care at the child care centre or home child care premises that could be helpful in an emergency.
Insurance
71. Every licensee shall ensure that an insurance policy with respect to each child care centre or home child care agency it operates is obtained and maintained in full force and effect that includes,
(a) comprehensive general liability coverage and personal injury coverage, including, where applicable, coverage for the employees of each child care centre, volunteers in each child care centre, employees of each home child care agency and each home child care provider at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care; and
(b) motor vehicle coverage for all vehicles owned by the licensee.
Records re children
72. (1) Every licensee shall ensure that up-to-date records that are available for inspection by an inspector or program adviser at all times are kept of the following matters in respect of each child receiving child care at a child care centre operated by the licensee or receiving child care at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care:
1. An application for enrolment signed by a parent of the child.
2. The name, date of birth and home address of the child.
3. The names, home addresses and telephone numbers of the parents of the child.
4. The address and telephone number at which a parent of the child or other person can be reached in case of an emergency during the hours when the child receives child care.
5. The names of persons to whom the child may be released.
6. The date of admission of the child.
7. The date of discharge of the child.
8. The child’s previous history of communicable diseases, conditions requiring medical attention and, in the case of a child who is not in attendance at a school within the meaning of the Education Act, immunization or any statement from a parent or legally qualified medical practitioner as to why the child should not be immunized.
9. Any symptoms indicative of ill health.
10. Written instructions signed by a parent of the child for any medical treatment or drug or medication that is to be administered during the hours the child receives child care.
11. Written instructions signed by a parent of the child concerning any special requirements in respect of diet, rest or physical activity.
(2) The records listed in subsection (1) shall be kept, as the case may be,
(a) on the premises of the child care centre at which the child receives child care; or
(b) at the home child care premises where the child receives child care and at the home child care agency overseeing the provision of such care.
(3) Every licensee shall ensure that a record is kept of the daily attendance of each child receiving child care in each child care centre it operates and in each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care showing the time of arrival and the time of departure of each child or if a child is absent.
(4) Every licensee shall keep a copy of any individualized support plan that is in place for a child with special needs who receives child care at a child care centre it operates or at a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care.
(5) Every licensee shall ensure that the records required to be maintained under this section with respect to a child are kept for at least three years from the date the child is discharged at the child care centre or home child care agency.
(6) Every licensee shall ensure that,
(a) the medical officer of health or his or her designate, upon producing proper identification, is permitted to inspect the records referred to in paragraphs 2, 3, 8 and 9 of subsection (1); and
(b) copies of those records are provided to him or her on request.
Release of information
73. No licensee shall require as a condition of providing care for a child at a child care centre or with a home child care agency it operates a prior consent from a parent of the child to the release of information with respect to the child.
Records re home child care providers
74. Every licensee of a home child care agency shall ensure that an up-to-date register that lists the addresses of each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, the names and addresses of the children receiving child care in each premises and the name of the home child care provider in each premises is kept at the home child care agency.
Copies of agreements
75. (1) Every licensee of a home child care agency shall enter into an agreement with each home child care provider at a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care and shall keep a copy of each such agreement at the home child care agency.
(2) Every licensee who agrees to operate a child care centre or home child care agency on behalf of a service system manager or First Nation shall ensure that a copy of the agreement with the service system manager or First Nation is kept at the child care centre or home child care agency.
Financial records
76. (1) Every licensee shall keep financial records for each child care centre or home child care agency it operates and shall keep such financial records for at least six years from the time of their making.
(2) The financial records referred to in subsection (1) shall show at least the assets, liabilities, income, expenses and accumulated surplus and deficit, of the child care centre or home child care agency.
Statistical information
77. Every licensee shall, in respect of each child care centre or home child care agency it operates, furnish to a director such statistical information as the director may require with respect to the operation of the child care centre or home child care agency.
PART IIi
aDMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES
Amount of administrative penalty
78. (1) The administrative penalty for the first contravention of a provision set out in an item of the Table to this section is the amount set out for that item in Column 3 of the Table.
(2) If, within three years after the first contravention of a provision set out in an item of the Table, a subsequent contravention of the provision occurs, the administrative penalty is,
(a) for the second contravention, twice the amount set out for that item in Column 3 of the Table;
(b) for the third contravention, three times the amount set out for that item in Column 3 of the Table; and
(c) for each contravention after the third, four times the amount set out for that item in Column 3 of the Table.
(3) If a contravention of a provision set out in an item of the Table continues for two or more successive days, the administrative penalty is the amount determined under subsection (1) or (2) multiplied by the number of successive days that the contravention continues.
(4) If the amount of an administrative penalty calculated under this section for the contravention of a provision set out in an item of the Table exceeds $100,000, the amount is deemed to be $100,000, subject to any reduction of the amount under subsection 39 (4) of the Act.
Table
Administrative Penalties
Item |
Column 1 Contravened provisions |
Column 2 Description of contravention |
Column 3 Amount of administrative penalty, in dollars |
1. |
Act, s. 6 (1), read with s. 6 (3) subparagraph 1 i |
Prohibition – provision of home child care, total number of children |
2000 × number of children that exceed the number specified in the Act |
2. |
Act, s. 6 (1), read with s. 6 (3) subparagraph 1 iv |
Prohibition – provision of home child care, number of children younger than two |
2000 × number of children that exceed the number specified in the Act |
3. |
Act, s. 6 (1), read with s. 6 (3) subparagraph 1 iii |
Prohibition – provision of home child care, advising home child care agency |
1,000 |
4. |
Act, s. 6 (1), read with s. 6 (3) subparagraph 2 i |
Prohibition – provision of unlicensed child care, total number of children |
2000 × number of children that exceed the number specified in the Act |
5. |
Act, s. 6 (1), read with s. 6 (3) subparagraph 2 iii |
Prohibition – provision of unlicensed child care, number of children younger than two |
2000 × number of children that exceed the number specified in the Act |
6. |
Act, s. 7 |
Prohibition – operation of home child care agency |
1,000 |
7. |
Act, s. 8 |
Prohibition – operation of multiple unlicensed premises |
2,000 |
8. |
Act, s. 9 |
Prohibition – past conduct, child care providers, etc. |
1,000 |
9. |
Act, s. 10 |
Prohibition – preventing parental access to the child and premises |
1,000 |
10. |
Act, s. 11 |
Prohibition – use of terms re licensing |
750 |
11. |
Act, s. 12 |
Duty to disclose if not licensed |
750 |
12. |
Act, s. 14 |
Duties re posting, returning and copying licences |
750 |
13. |
Act, s. 15 |
Duty to provide receipt for payment |
500 |
14. |
Act, s. 31 (4) |
Obligation to produce and assist |
500 |
15. |
Act, s. 35 |
Obligation to provide criminal reference checks |
2,000 |
16. |
Act, s. 76 |
Prohibition – obstruction of inspector |
4,000 |
Application for review of notice of administrative penalty
79. An application to a designated senior employee under subsection 39 (7) of the Act for review of a notice of administrative penalty shall set out the grounds on which the review is sought and shall be accompanied by the documentary evidence, if any, that is relevant to the review.
Designated senior employee
80. (1) The position of a corporate director is prescribed for the purposes of the definition of “designated senior employee” in subsection 2 (1) of the Act.
(2) For greater certainty, a director as defined in subsection 2 (1) of the Act is not a corporate director.
Fee for licence
81. (1) The fee payable by an applicant for a licence other than a renewal is $15.
(2) The fee payable for the renewal of a licence is,
(a) $10, where the application for the renewal of the licence is made on or before the anniversary date in the year in which the licence or the last renewal expires; and
(b) $25, where the application for the renewal of the licence is made after the anniversary date in the year in which the licence or the last renewal expires.
Record retention
82. Where a licensee is required under this Regulation to make or keep a record, report or other document, it shall keep the record, report or other document in a secure location for at least three years from the date it is made, unless otherwise specified.
Prescribed manner of disclosure of no licence
83. (1) A disclosure required under subsection 12 (1) of the Act by a person who does not hold a licence shall be made in writing and shall include the sentence “This child care program is not licensed by the Government of Ontario”.
(2) For the purposes of subsection 12 (2) of the Act, the person making the written disclosure referred to in subsection (1) shall keep a record of the written disclosure.
Signage
84. (1) For the purposes of subsections 14 (1) and (2) of the Act, the signage that shall be posted is signage provided by the Minister that identifies that the premises is licensed.
(2) Subsection 14 (2) of the Act does not apply with respect to premises where in-home services are provided if only in-home services, and no other licensed child care, is provided at the premises.
Return of signage
85. (1) A licence or signage that was provided to a person for the purposes of the Act shall be returned, as required under subsection 14 (6) of the Act, in the circumstances set out in this section.
(2) A licensee shall return the licence and signage within 30 days after the day,
(a) the licensee’s licence expires and is not renewed;
(b) the licensee’s licence is revoked; or
(c) the licensee voluntarily ceases operating the child care centre or agency in respect of which the licence was issued.
(3) A home child care provider shall return signage to the home child care agency within 30 days after the day the provider’s agreement with the home child care agency expires or otherwise terminates.
Term of provisional licence
86. For the purposes of subsection 24 (4) of the Act, the maximum term of a provisional licence is one year.
Criminal reference check
87. For the purposes of subsection 35 (3) of the Act, a criminal reference check,
(a) must have been prepared no earlier than six months before the day it is provided to the director or inspector; and
(b) where the person will interact with children, must be a vulnerable sector check that is,
(i) conducted by a police force, and
(ii) prepared no earlier than six months before the day it is provided to the director or inspector.
Power of director
88. Where an approval is required by a director or where something is to be done as required by a director under this Regulation, the power to give the approval and to impose the requirement are prescribed to be powers of a director pursuant to subsection 66 (2) of the Act.
Licences issued under the Day Nurseries Act
89. (1) A licence or provisional licence issued under the Day Nurseries Act that was in force immediately before the day the Day Nurseries Act was repealed is continued as a licence or provisional licence, as the case may be, under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
(2) The licence or provisional licence continued under subsection (1) continues to be subject to any terms, conditions or expiry date that applied to it under the Day Nurseries Act.
Approvals re child care centre or home child care agency
90. An approval of a director made in relation to a child care centre or home child care agency that was issued under the Day Nurseries Act and that was in force immediately before the day the Day Nurseries Act was repealed is continued as an approval under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, provided that the director has the power under that Act to make such an approval.
Records required under the Day Nurseries Act
91. Any document that was made pursuant to a requirement in the Day Nurseries Act or a regulation made under it shall continue to be retained in accordance with the rule regarding its retention, if any, that applied at the time the document was made.
92. Omitted (provides for amendments to this Regulation).
93. Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of this Regulation).
Schedule 1
NUMBER OF STAFF REQUIRED FOR A CHILD CARE CENTRE OTHER THAN A CHILD CARE CENTRE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Item |
Column 1 Name of age category |
Column 2 Age range of age category |
Column 3 Ratio of employees to children |
Column 4 Maximum number of children in group |
1. |
Infant |
Younger than 18 months |
3 to 10 |
10 |
2. |
Toddler |
18 months or older but younger than 30 months |
1 to 5 |
15 |
3. |
Preschool |
30 months or older but younger than 6 years |
1 to 8 |
16 |
4. |
Kindergarten |
44 months or older but younger than 68 months |
1 to 13 |
26 |
5. |
Primary/junior school age |
68 months or older but younger than 13 years |
1 to 15 |
30 |
6. |
Junior school age |
9 years or older but younger than 13 years |
1 to 20 |
20 |
Schedule 2
NUMBER OF STAFF REQUIRED FOR A CHILD CARE CENTRE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Item |
Column 1 Age range of age category |
Column 2 Ratio of employees to children |
Column 3 Maximum number of children in group |
1. |
2 years or older but younger than 6 years |
1 to 4 |
4 |
2. |
6 years or older but younger than 14 years |
1 to 3 |
3 |