Download pdf - Recommendation 1: Sleeping Areas - LCCN · Recommendation 1: Sleeping Areas Recommendation That sleep areas licensed by the Ministry of Education be created to adhere to Section 3.6.1.3(3)

PartnersPromotingtheImportanceofEarlyChildhoodEducationRecommendationsforChange

Recommendation1:SleepingAreasRecommendation ThatsleepareaslicensedbytheMinistryofEducationbecreatedto

adheretoSection3.6.1.3(3)oftheBuildingCodeActasasleepareaandnotnecessarilyaseparateenclosedroom.

Policy (A)Building&Accommodation,Section4-13R.R.O.1990,Regulation262LegislativeReference88.Everyoperatorofadaynurseryshallensurethateachdaynurseryoperatedbytheoperatorhas, (a)wherethedaynurseryislicensedtoenrollchildrenunder eighteenmonthsofage (i)aseparateplayactivityroomforeachtenchildren orlessbasedonthelicensedcapacity,and (ii)aseparatesleepingareathatisseparatedfromany playactivityspaceforeachtenchildrenorlessbased onthelicensedcapacity;(B)Section3.6.1.3(3)oftheOntarioBuildingCode419/86requiresthat:“Daycarecentresshallprovidesleepingaccommodationhavingnotlessthan.9squaremetres(10sq.ft.)offloorareaforeachchildwithnotlessthan2.3metres(7ft.7in.)ceilingheightovertheentireroomarea.”

Background Aschildcareoperatorstransitionfromthelossofpreschoolspaces(duetoFullDayKindergarten)andcreatenewspacesforyoungeragegroups(includinginfants),renovationofclassroomwillbeexpensiveorprohibitive.Thesecostscanbemitigatedbyallowingforthecreationofaseparatesleeparea(asoutlinedinSection3.6.1.3(3)oftheOntarioBuildingCode)whilemaintainingqualityandkeepingtruetotheDNAregulations8(a)(ii)whichspeaktoaseparatesleeparea.Aseparatesleepareaalsoallowsforbettersafetyandsupervision.Thebuildingofawalledcompletelyenclosedseparatedsleeproomwillcostmoremoneytobuildandmaynotbenecessary.


Recommendation#2:UseofSpaceRecommendation Thatallindoorschoolspacesusedbyelementaryschoolstudentsduring

regularschoolhoursbelicensedforusebyThirdPartyOperatorsforchildrenages3.9yearsandolderinExtendedDayandSchoolAgePrograms.

Policy (A)BuildingandAccommodation,Section4-13R.R.O.1990,Regulation262LegislativeReference8(1)(d),(e),(f)8.(1)Everyoperatorofadaynurseryshallensurethateachdaynurseryoperatedbytheoperatorhas, (d)wherethedaunurseryislicensedtocareforchildren44 monthsofageoroveranduptoandincluding67monthsofageas ofAugust31oftheyear,aseparateplayandactivityroomfor each20childrenorlessbasedonthelicensedcapacity; (e)wherethedaynurseryislicensedtocareforchildren56 monthsofageoroveranduptoandincluding67monthsofageas ofAugust31oftheyear,aseparateplayareaforeach24children orlessbasedonthelicensedcapacity;and (f)wherethedaynurseryislicensedtocareforchildren68months ofageoroverasofAugust31oftheyearuptoandincluding12 yearsofage,aseparateplayareaforeach30childrenorless basedonthelicensedcapacity,unlessotherwiseapprovedbya Director.R.R.O.1990,Reg.262,s.8;O.Reg.505/06,s.4(1).(B)MinistryofChildrenandYouthServicesDayNurseriesManual(January,2007)BuildingandAccommodation3.3.35-36LegislativeReference8Intent–Director’sApproval–SchoolAgePrograms:Itisstronglyrecommendedthatprogramsforschool-agechildren,whichoftenoperatebeforeandafterschool,haveexclusiveroomspaceasahomebase.Whentheoperatorofaschool-ageprogramproposestouseauxiliaryand/orsharedspaceasthelicensedplayspace,Directorapprovalisrequired.Additionalspacesuchasgymnasiums,libraries,resourcecentresetc.thatareavailabletothechildcareschool-ageprogramonaregular,specifiedbasiscanbeconsideredwhendetermininglicensedcapacity.Section8(d)and(e)providesforjuniorandseniorkindergartenage


groupings.TheintentisforthesegroupingstoalignwiththeMinistryofEducationschoolgroupingsandhelptosupportanintegratedapproachforchildrenattendingschool.

Background Manyextendeddayandschoolageprogramsarerequiredtochangeclassroomsregularlyduetonumerousfactors;schoolrequiresrotationofclassroomsforrotarypurposes,scheduledschooluse,sportsevents,etc.Thirdpartyprovidersmusthaveeveryroomusedlicensed(oftenwithoutmuchnotice).Licensingallschoolspacesusedbystudentsduringschoolhourswouldallowforflexibilitysincechildren(students)areallowedinthosespacesduringtheschoolday.


Recommendation#3:SinkRequirementsRecommendation Thatsinksinclassroomwashroomswhichare“overcompliment”tothe

legislatedlicensedenrollmentrequirementbeallowedtobeusedasbystaffasahand-washingsink.

Policy EquipmentandFurnishings,Section14-20R.R.O.1990Regulation262LegislativeReference15(A)15.Everyoperatorofadaynurseryshallensurethatthefollowingequipmentandfurnishingsareprovidedineachdaynurseryoperatedbytheoperator:2.Wherethedaynurseryislicensedtoenrollchildreneighteenmonthsofageoroveruptoandincludingthirtymonthsofage,atableorcounterspaceforeveryfifteenchildren,basedonthelicensedcapacitythatisadjacenttoasinkandsuitablefordressingorchangingthediaperofonechildatatime.(B)DayNurseriesDesignGuidelines(January1990)“AphilosophyofRelationshipsinPlaySpace”3.WashroomsPhysicalandSpatialCharacteristics(Toddlers–18monthsto30months)

• Section3.6.4.2(20)oftheOntarioBuildingCode419/86identifiesthemaximumnumberofchildrenperwatercloset(flushtoilet)andlavatory(handbasin)

• TheDayNurseriesActrequiresatableorcounterspaceforevery15toddlersthatisadjacenttoasinkandsuitablefordressingorchangingthediaperofonechildatatime.

PhysicalandSpatialCharacteristics(Preschool–31monthsto5years)

• Section3.6.4.2(20)oftheOntarioBuildingCode419/86identifiesthemaximumnumberofchildrenperwatercloset(flushtoilet)andlavatory(handbasin)

• Boysandgirlsusethesamewashroom• Fixed,individual,toiletcubiclesunnecessary• Mountingheightofsinksshouldpermitindependentusebyall

agesinthisgroup.Toiletstepstoolsandremovabletoiletseatsareused

• Washroomsshouldbesizedtopermitstaffassistancewhenrequired


Background Aschildcareoperatorstransitionlostpreschoolspaces(duetoFullDayKindergarten)andrepurposeclassroomstocreatenewspacesforyoungerchildren(toddlers)renovationcostsareexpensiveorprohibitive.Inclassroomswherethewashroomscontainmoresinksthanarelegislativelyrequired,theabilitytousetheadditionalsink(s)forstaffhand-washingmaybeallowed.Thiswouldmitigatetherequirementtoaddanadditionalsinkforstaffhand-washing(whereinsomecasesthereisnoroomintheexistingwashroomandmajorrenovationwouldberequired).Presentlylocalareabusinesspracticesrequireanadditionalsinkforstaff.ThepolicyinregulationsandDayNurseryGuidelinesaresilentontheuseoftheunusedsinkforstaffhand-washing.


Recommendation#4:BedsandCotsRecommendation ThatcotsforFDKandschoolagechildrenattendingProfessional

Development,SchoolHolidayandBreakdayswhereprogramsrunformorethan6hoursormorebealloweddiscretionapprovedbytheDirectortoNOThaveacotforeachchild.

Policy (A)EquipmentandFurnishing,Section14-22R.R.O.1990Regulation262LegislativeReference1515.Everyoperatorofadaynurseryshallensurethatthefollowingequipmentandfurnishingsareprovidedineachdaynurseryoperatedbytheoperator:3.Beddingforuseduringrestperiodsforeachchildenrolledfor6hoursofmore.5.Foreachchildeighteenmonthsofageoroveruptoandincludingthirymonthsofageenrolledforsixhoursormore,acot.6.Foreachchildthirty-onemonthsorageoroveruptoandincludingfiveyearsofageenrolledforsixhoursormore,acot,unlessotherwiseapprovedbyaDirector.(B)Section53:ProgramLegislativeReference53(5)5.Everyoperatorshallensurethatthedailyprogramineachdaynurseryoperatedbytheoperatorandineachlocationwhereprivatehomedaycareisprovidedbytheoperatorissoarrangedthat; (d)achild44monthsofageoroveranduptoandincluding67monthsofageasofAugust31oftheyearandwhoisunabletosleepduringtherestperiodispermittedtoengageinquietactivities.R.R.O.1990,Reg.262,s.53(5);O.Reg.505/06,s.11(1).(C)OntarioChildCareLicensingDayNurseriesManual9.3.109-110LegislativeReference53(5)Intent53(5)(c)((d) (c)Aschildrengrow,theirrequirementforsleepdecreases.While notallchildrenneedamid-daynap,youngchildrenbenefitfrom periodsofrelaxationtobalanceofactiveplay.Akindergarten schedulemayincludea“quiettime”forbooks,reading,and listeningtostories,aswellascomfortableareasoftheplayroom forquiet,solitaryactivities.


(d)Whenchildrenattendafternoonkindergartentheymayhave timeonlyforashortrestperiodorquiettimeafterlunch.Children maybeallowedtoengageinquietactivitiesfortheentirerest period.IndicatorType:PhysicalInspection4.Childrenover44monthsofageasofAugust31oftheyearwhoareunabletosleepduringtherestperiodareengagedinquietactivities.

Background Childcarecentreswhoarelicensedtocareforchildren44monthsofageandoveroftenrunprogramsforFDKandschoolagechildrenduringPDdays,schoolholidaysandbreaks.Presently,centresmustpurchasebeddingandcotsforeverychildintheprogramtomeetthisrequirement.Asthesechildrendonotattendfulltimethecostisprohibitive.FDKandschoolagechildrenarenotrequiredto“laydownonacot”forrestperiodsduringschooldays.TheDirectormayprovidediscretionto“otherwiseapprove”notrequiringacotforeachindividualchildinthisprogram.


Recommendation#5:PlaygroundsRecommendation Thatalloutdoorschoolspacesusedbyelementaryschoolstudentsduring

regularschoolhoursbelicensedforusebyThirdPartyOperatorsforchildrenages3.9yearsandolderinExtendedDayandSchoolAgePrograms.

Policy (A)Playgrounds,Sections21-24R.R.O.1990,Regulation262LegislativeReference22.Everyoperatorofadaynurseryshallensurethateachplaygroundineachdaynurseryoperatedbytheoperator, (b.1)Usedbychildren44monthsofageanduptoandincluding67 monthsofageasofAugust31oftheyear,isfencedtoaminimum heightof1.2metresandthefenceisfurnishedwithoneormore gatesthataresecurelyclosedatalltimes,unlessotherwise approvedbytheDirector;and (c)Issodesignedthatthestaffcanmaintainconstantsupervision ofthechildren.(B)MinistryofChildrenandYouthServices–DayNurseriesManual(January2007)5.2.53PlaygroundsLegislativeReference22Intent22(b.1) (b.1)ThisprovisionincludesDirectordiscretiontoallowapproval ofplaygroundswithoutfencesforjuniorandseniorkindergarten agechildren(44monthsofageuptoandincluding67monthsof ageasofAugust31oftheyear).Directordiscretionmaybe exercisedonasitebysitebasis,uponthelicensinginspectionof theplayground.Theministrywillassesstheplaygroundto determineifthechildrencanbeadequatelysupervisedwithouta playgroundfenceorgate.Considerationsforfenceexemptionsmayinclude:

• Whetherthedaynurseryislocatedataschoolandthechildrenusethesameplaygroundwhileattendingschool

• Whetherthereisaperimeterfencearoundthesite• Trafficpatternsandproximitytoroadsandparkingareas• Supervisionplay(detailedplanonhowtheoperatorwillprovide


forchildsafetyandsupervision)• Whetherthedaynurseryhasexclusiveuseoftheplayground

duringhoursofoperation• Whetherthereisdirectorapprovalfor20%ofyoungerchildren

(e.g.mixedagegrouping)

(c)Thisprovisionensurethegeneralsafetyofthechildrenwhiletheyareoutdoorsandallowsthestafftofulfilltheirresponsibility.IndicatorType:Documentation1. ThereisapprovalbyaDirectorexemptingtheplaygroundfrom

beingatgroundlevelandadjacenttothepremises.2. ThereisapprovalbyaDirectorexemptingtheplaygroundfrom

havingafenceforchildren44monthsofageuptoandincluding67monthsofageasofAugust31oftheyear.

3. Theplaygroundsupervisionplanisreviewedandconfirmsitprovidesforchildsafetyandsupervision.

(C)MinistryofChildrenandYouthServices–DayNurseriesManual2.7PoliciesandProcedures2.7PlaygroundSafetyPolicy–AppendixBEffectiveSeptember30,1999,alllicensedchildcareoperatorsarerequiredtodevelopaPlaygroundSafetyPolicy.

Ø APlaygroundSafetyPolicywillcontainthefollowing:1. Aplaygroundsupervisionstatementthatprovidesthechildcare

centrestaffwithrequirementsforsupervisionofchildrenonplaygroundsthatprovidesasafeoutdoorplayenvironment,promotingcreativeandconstructiveplayforchildren.Thepolicymustprovidethatstaffratioscannotbereducedontheplayground.

2. Astatementthatidentifiesthedesignatedplayspace,areaorequipmentthattheprogramwilluseonaregularbasis.IftheequipmentorsitedoesnotmeettheCSAStandardareportingprocedureistobeestablishedtoworkwiththeotherorganizationandtoestablishresponsibilitytogainandmaintaincompliance.

Background Wherechildren(students)attendingExtendedDayandSchoolAge

ProgramsinschoolsoperatedbyaThirdPartyOperator,regulationchangesshouldbemadetoallowthosesamechildrentoaccessthesameplaygroundusedduringtheschoolday.


RegulationandPolicyandProceduresManualaresilentonplaygroundsusedforExtendedDayandSchoolAgeprogramswherethereisNOTa“daynurserylocatedataschool.”Supervisionplansarerequiredandcompliedwithtoprovidemaximumsafetyintheschoolplayground.


Recommendation#6:QualifiedStaff/OtherwiseApprovedRecommendation (1) ThatOntarioCertifiedTeachers(OCT)withaprimaryspeciality

approvedonsection59(1)(a)(ii)“asacademicqualificationthataDirectorconsidersequivalenttoadiplomareferredtoinsubclause(i)asqualifiedstaffinFDK–ExtendedDayandSchoolAgePrograms.”

(2) ThatalicensedChildandYouthWorkerdiplomaandaRecreationandLeisurediplomareceiveautomatic“otherwiseapproved”qualifiedstaffinschoolageprograms.

Policy StaffQualifications

LegislativeReference59(1)59(1)Everyoperatorofadaynursery,exceptadaynurseryforhandicappedchildren,shallemployineachdaynurseryoperatedbytheoperator,atleastonepersonforeachgroupofchildrensetoutinColumn3ofSchedule3who, (a)holds,

(i)adiplomainEarlyChildhoodEducationfromanOntario CollegeofAppliedArtsandTechnology;or (ii)anacademicqualificationthataDirectorconsiders equivalenttoadiplomareferredtoinsubclause(i);or(a) isotherwiseapprovedbyaDirector

1.ForeachgroupofchildrenasdefinedinSchedule3,theoperatorhasemployedatleastoneprogramstaffpersonwhohas: (a)adiplomainEarlyChildhoodEducationfromanOntarioCollege ofAppliedArtsandTechnologyor (b)adegreeinEarlyChildhoodEducationstudiesfroma recognizeduniversity

or (c)studiesinarelatedprofessiontoanequivalentlevelwhich includesspecificchildandfamilyrelatedstudiesandsupervised practice

or (d)anAECEOcertificateoraletterofequivalentstatusfromthe AECEO


or (e)inlieuof(a)–(d)above,theapprovalofaDirector.

Background 1. OCTcertifiedteachersarepermittedtosuperviseandteachchildrenforFDKprogramsinclassrooms.However,theThirdPartylicensedchildcareproviderisnotpermittedtohireindividualswiththesesamequalificationstooperatetheextendeddayportionofthestudent’sdayorschoolageprogramsasqualifiedstaff.

OntarioqualifiedteachersthatareotherwisecertifiedtoteachelementaryschoolstudentsshouldbeautomaticallyqualifiedtoworkwithstudentsafterschoolhoursinlicensedextendeddayandschoolageprogramswithoutDirectorapproval.

2. ChildandYouthWorkersandRecreationandLeisureDiplomascurriculumhasafocusonworkwithschoolagechildren.Thesediplomasshouldbe“automatic”approvalsbytheDirectoras“otherwiseapproved”staffforlicensedschoolageprograms.