How we regulate child care in Wrenford
The City of Wrenford follows the provincial Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 and its regulations. Our goal is to make sure every licensed programme in the city meets strict standards for safety, health, and early learning. We work closely with the province to inspect programmes, support operators, and keep families informed.
Licensing and oversight
If you run a child care programme in Wrenford, you must follow provincial rules. All programmes that care for children under 13 must hold a licence from the province, unless you are a family member providing care in a home. The City does not issue licences, but we enforce local by-laws and coordinate with provincial inspectors to ensure every site meets the rules.
- You must display your active licence number in a visible area at all times.
- You must report any changes to your programme details, such as address or capacity, within 30 days.
- Unlicensed programmes operating without an exemption are breaking the law and will be reported to the Ministry of Education.
- Parents can check the status of any licensed programme through the provincial directory or by asking the operator for proof.
Space and staffing standards
Programmes must follow the province's required staff-to-child ratios based on the age of the children. The City reviews facility layouts to ensure there is enough indoor and outdoor space for each child. Key requirements include:
- Clean washrooms and hand-washing stations that are accessible to children.
- Safe sleeping areas for infants and toddlers with proper ventilation and supervision.
- Secure outdoor play spaces that are fenced or naturally bounded.
- Regular fire drills and emergency preparedness plans filed with Wrenford Fire Rescue.
- Daily health and safety checks of all equipment and toys.
Staff qualifications and safety checks
All staff members must pass a Vulnerability Sector Screening before they start working. The City requires operators to keep records of:
- Current First Aid and Child and Infant CPR certification.
- Annual mandatory training in child development, behaviour support, and infection control.
- A documented code of ethics and professional conduct for all employees.
- Clear policies on illness, exclusion, and medication administration.
Fee subsidy and affordability rules
The City manages the Ontario Child Care Fee Subsidy for eligible families. If you receive a subsidy, the City sets the maximum amount based on your household income and the number of children in care. Subsidy recipients must report any changes in income or household size within five business days. Failing to report changes can result in a repayment request or loss of the subsidy. You can check your eligibility and apply through the Child care fee subsidy program page.
How to report a concern
If you have a safety concern about a licensed child care programme, or you suspect an unlicensed programme is operating, please contact Wrenford 311 or email [email protected]. All reports are kept confidential and reviewed by a licensing coordinator. You can also find a list of licensed programmes in Licensed child care options.