Ready for 2027 checklist

1. Written supervision policy: when, how and how often children are counted, by age group; the higher-risk situations (transitions, washrooms, arrivals and dismissals, field trips, gates, parking lots, blocked sightlines); the steps when a child is unaccounted for; who does what. s. 11(2)
2. A way to record the counts the policy promises, so the record exists for the inspector. s. 11(2), s. 82
3. Every policy that gives the supervisor a power or duty names who acts when the supervisor is off site and the situation is urgent. s. 6.1(2)
4. Written missing-child policy: when a child is considered missing, the steps and roles, when to call emergency services, when to notify parents. s. 68.2(1), (2)
5. A missing-child drill at least once every three months, with a written record kept for 12 months. First one scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. s. 68.2(3)
6. The staff training policy provides for training on every policy and procedure the regulation requires, including the new ones. s. 58(1.1)
7. Already in force since July 1, 2026, and easy to miss: staff and providers told that they must notify the licensee immediately if they become prohibited from providing child care under s. 9(1) of the Act; the screening policy says so. s. 62(5), in force
8. The new and amended policies added to the policy review, so every employee, volunteer and student reviews them with the date recorded. s. 6.1
9. No septic system access point inside the outdoor play space (existing centres: by July 1, 2027, or with a director’s exemption); any on the premises inaccessible, secured per the Building Code, with a secondary safety device. s. 24.1
10. New centres: vehicle impact barriers meeting industry standards with documentation, or an engineer’s written opinion that none is needed. Centres licensed before 2027: not required. s. 24.2
11. Hazards walked and dealt with; parents told of any hazard and the steps taken, beyond the routine ones. s. 24.3
12. Measures against unauthorized entry while children are present, written down and in use, and described in the parent handbook. s. 24.4, s. 45(1)(a.1.0.1)

Ticks are saved in this browser only. In force January 1, 2027 (O. Reg. 197/26). The guide explains each item.