Child Care Canada, Child Care Resource and Research Unit (2013, December 03). Child care modernization act: A backgrounder. Retrieved from modernization-act-backgrounder Ministry of Education, Early Years Division. (2013).regulatory changes. Retrieved from website: Complied by Ann-Marie Ulrich March 24, 2014 Modernization of Child Care Bill 143

The Day Nurseries Act currently governs child care in Ontario. This act originally came into force in It has not been comprehensively reviewed since 1983.

A little background and next steps: In December 2013, the Ontario government introduced new legislation; The Child Care Modernization Act, Bill 143.(framework) Now in the legislature, next steps are 2nd reading and public hearings. If this legislation is passed it would repeal and replace the Day Nurseries Act with the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2013 Later the same week changes to Regulation 262 the Day Nursery Act were also introduced. (Day to day regulations/rules)

How a Bill becomes a Law IDEA-All laws start out as ideas First Reading-purpose of Bill is explained Second Reading-Bill is debated in principle Review by Committee-Public hearings may be held and amendments considered Report to House-Committee reports bill with any amendments Third Reading-Bill is voted on for final approval Royal Assent-Lieutenant Governor signs Bill and it becomes Law Retrieved from and-lawmaking-background-documents/how-bills-become-law-en.pdf

Legislation If passed the Child Care Modernization Act would improve safety and help foster the learning, development, health and well- being of children through four key changes: 1. Greater government authority and enforcement tools to enhance safety

2. Increase access to spaces in licensed home child care settings

3. Clarify programs that do not require a license

4. Quality

Replacing the Day Nurseries Act The government is proposing to develop a provincial policy statement to guide program content and educator practice, which would be connected to the child care licensing framework in the future. Grounded in the principles of Ontario’s Early Learning for Every Child Today or ELECT (also known as the Early Learning Framework ELF)

Proposed Changes…. Replacing the requirement in Regulation 262 to have a program of activities with a requirement to have a program that focuses on positive, responsive interactions; incorporates active exploration, play and inquiry; provides engaging materials/environments; and supports development in a holistic manner.

Replacing the requirement in Regulation 262 to have a posted daily program plan with a requirement to communicate with parents on a regular and ongoing basis about what their children are experiencing related to active exploration, play and inquiry both indoors and outdoors.

Simplifying the requirements for outdoor play (maintaining a minimum requirement) and providing more flexibility related to rest time to enable educators to use professional discretion to be responsive to the children in their care, and to support children’s developing ability to self- regulate.

Proposed Model Age GroupEmployee to Child Ratio Maximum Group Size Number of Employees Required with Maximum Group Size 0-1 years1:3103 (minimum 1 of 3 staff is a registered ECE) 1-2 years1:5153 (minimum 1 of 3 staff is a registered ECE) 2-4 years1:8162 (minimum 1 of 2 staff is a registered ECE) 243 (minimum 2 of 3 staff are registered ECEs) 4-5 years1:13262 (minimum 1 of 2 staff is a registered ECE)

Proposed Amendment for Age Groupings: In addition to the school age group requirements currently in place, the government is proposing the following model be considered to support more licensed child care options for school-aged children: Age Group Number of Employee to Child Ratio Maximum Group Size Employees Required with Maximum Group Size 6-8 years1:15302(minimum 1 qualified staff) 9-12 years1:20201 (1 qualified staff) The government is proposing to allow operators to hire individuals who are not registered ECEs but are qualified in a related field for programs serving school age children

Proposed Amendment: Age GroupEmployee to Child Ratio Maximum Group SizeNumber of Employees Required with Maximum Group Size Model years 2-4years 1:4 1:6 Max. total = 20 No more than 8 children under 2 years of age) 4 employees (minimum 2 Registered ECEs) Model years 1-2 years 2-4 years 1:3 staff to 3 children 1:3 staff to 5 children 1:3 staff to 8 children (max 3) (max 5) (max 8) Max. total = 16 4 employees (minimum 2 registered ECEs)

Proposed Regulatory Changes – Enhancing Health and Safety Criminal Reference Checks (CRC) and Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) First Aid Training Nutrition requirements

Feedback was requested…. The Ministry of Education encouraged feedback on the proposed regulatory changes from parents/families and the broader child care and early years community. Deadline for input was February 28, Second reading: Feb. 20, 2014 and March 4, 2014 currently in debate

To be continued…. It can take a few years for legislation to be passed and changes to be implemented. It is your role to stay current with events pertaining to child care and be an advocate for best child care practices. Here is the link to view the bill en&BillID=2913&detailPage=bills_detail_the_bill Here is a document about how acts become laws s-and-lawmaking-background-documents/how-bills- become-law-en.pdf