Child care rules in Ontario

Overview

In Ontario, child care providers must follow the rules set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) and its regulations. The act helps ensure the health and safety of children and child care providers in child care settings.

The act applies to:

  • unlicensed child care providers
  • licensed child care centres
  • licensed home child care agencies
  • home child care providers that are overseen by a licensed agency
  • providers of in-home services that are overseen by a licensed agency

The act does not apply to:

  • nannies or babysitters who are not overseen by a licensed agency and hired directly by parents to provide care in the children’s home
  • relatives that provide care for children
  • camps that only care for children ages four years old and older
  • programs with a primary purpose of academic or skill-based recreation
  • private schools that only care for children ages four years old and older

Read More