Ontario child care centres face new safety rules on supervision, physical hazards, missing-child drills and staff training

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A package of amendments tightens safety requirements for licensed child care centres and home child care agencies in Ontario. New sections require centres to have written child-supervision policies (including counting procedures and higher-risk situations), to protect outdoor areas from motor vehicle impact with safety barriers, to secure or eliminate septic system access points on premises, and to prevent unauthorized entry when children are present. Licensees must also create and practise missing-child procedures with drills at least once every three months. Staff training policies must now explicitly cover every policy and procedure the licensee is required to maintain. Home child care agencies face parallel new rules on hazard notification to parents, septic access security, and firearms storage. Sexual abuse and misconduct are added to the list of prohibited practices. Policies covering children with allergies or medical conditions must now identify who is permitted to carry the child's medication, and carrying rules are expanded beyond asthma and allergy medication to include diabetes and epilepsy drugs.

Who this affects: licensed child care centre operators · home child care agency licensees · child care centre supervisors and employees · home child care providers · parents of enrolled children