In early learning environments, where children’s safety is at the heart of everything, ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations is not only a legal obligation, it’s an act of compassion and leadership.
Whether you operate a home daycare, an agency or a licensed childcare center in Ontario, understanding how fire and safety inspections protect your facility is essential to building a secure and trusted environment for families and staff.
Let’s explore why routine inspections, monthly drills, and emergency preparedness matter and how your child care program can confidently meet—and exceed—provincial requirements.
Fire Safety in Childcare: Why It’s Non-Negotiable
Fire safety compliance for daycare centers in Ontario is regulated under:
● The Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07)
● The Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA)
● Child Care Centre Licensing Manual, Part 10: Emergency Preparedness
These standards require licensed child care providers to maintain updated evacuation procedures, conduct regular fire drills, and ensure the facility is free of fire hazards.
More importantly, these inspections are designed to prevent harm. They help child care operators:
● Identify fire risks early
● Maintain building and staff readiness
● Stay aligned with licensing standards
● Protect lives during emergencies
Partnering with local fire departments or using the Province of Ontario’s Fire Inspection Services can also support your compliance efforts and give you peace of mind.
Monthly Fire Drills: Practice Builds Preparedness
Under Ontario’s licensing regulations, all child care programs must conduct and document monthly fire drills. This routine allows children to build familiarity with emergency procedures in a calm, developmentally appropriate way. It also ensures that your team knows exactly what to do in case of a real emergency.
Quick Tip: Use the Ministry of Education’s Fire Drill Record Template to log drills properly for licensing visits.
Monthly fire drills also help:
● Train staff to lead evacuations confidently
● Reduce panic and increase reaction time
● Build a culture of safety and responsiveness
The Emergency Bag: A Must-Have Best Practice
Every second counts during an evacuation. Having a well-stocked and accessible emergency bag is a small but powerful action every child care operator should take.
Recommended items for your emergency evacuation kit include:
● Child and staff emergency contact info
● Emergency medications (EpiPens, inhalers)
● First aid supplies
● Flashlight with batteries
● Water, snacks, wipes
● Child-specific comfort items (e.g., a blanket or toy)
Update your bag regularly, store it near the exit, and ensure all educators know where to find it.
Daycare Consulting Services: Your Partner in Compliance
We know managing fire safety, licensing regulations, and operational demands can be overwhelming for child care providers. That’s why Daycare Consulting Services, led by Sandra Vella, is here to help.
With over 35 years in the child care industry—including frontline, management, site assessment, and compliance support—Sandra provides expert guidance to help operators meet fire safety requirements, streamline processes, and confidently navigate regulatory obligations.
Based in Ontario and licensed in the home child care sector, we support centers across the GTA and beyond.
Whether you need help setting up your emergency plans, training staff, or preparing for inspections, we’ve got your back.
Build a Safer Child Care Environment Today
Fire and safety inspections are more than just paperwork—they’re powerful tools to keep children safe, empower your team, and maintain licensing compliance.
If you’re unsure where to start or want to ensure your center meets Ontario’s regulatory standards, reach out for a personalized consultation.
Let’s work together to ensure your center is prepared, protected, and fully aligned with the fire safety standards that Ontario child care providers are trusted to uphold.
