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CURRENT LEGISLATION

Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014

The purpose of this Act is to establish the rules for child care and early years programs in Ontario to:

  • Support the health and safety of children

  • Provide for oversight of providers

  • Help parents make informed choices about child care options

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Under the Act, programs where the primary purpose is to support skill-based sports and recreation are not considered child care and do not require a licence. Examples include occasional programs and services of short duration and frequency, such as:

  • One-hour lessons (e.g., dance, music, swimming)

  • Team sports (e.g., hockey practice and games)

  • Club activities offered once a week (e.g., Girl Guides, 4-H)

 

Note: the Act includes regulations that govern the delivery of recreation programs for children under the age of 12, including afterschool programming and day camps.

Recent Developments

2017-2019: Changes to Before and Afterschool Care Requirements

Background:

As of September 1, 2017, all school boards in Ontario have a duty to provide before and after school care for all children up to the age of 12. Recreation providers can offer programs in schools if they meet all requirements of the Act and its regulations.

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On July 1, 2019, the Government of Ontario implemented changes that allowed certain recreation providers to offer after school programs to children ages 4-12. Organizations permitted to operate Authorized Recreation and Skill-Building Programs, include:

  • Local service system mangers

  • Municipalities

  • School Boards

  • First Nation Communities

  • Métis Nation of Ontario

  • YMCA Branches

  • BGC Branches

  • Organizations recognized by Parks and Recreation Ontario as HIGH FIVE® accredited

  • Friendship Centres that are members of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

  • Organizations delivering Ontario’s After School Program funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

  • Members of a provincial sport or multi-sport organization recognized by MTCS where the program’s activities are related to the sport or sports promoted by the organization

  • Operated by an MTCS agency or attraction

  • Authorized by the local service system manger or First Nation provided that the program supports the health, safety, and well-being of children

  • Provincial sport or multi-sport organizations

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Organizations that meet these criteria are allowed to operate programs 5 days per week, up to 3 hours per day, for children ages 4-12.

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PRO’s Response:

In May 2019, PRO responded and provided member feedback on proposed regulatory changes. 

​Additional Resources:
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