Lead Flushing and Testing

Operators must the comply with the requirements for lead flushing and water sample testing (where applicable) under the Safe Drinking Water Act,2002, O. Reg. 243/07. All records and documents must be available for inspection by any member of the public during normal business hours without charge.

Where applicable, operators must comply with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, O. Reg. 170/03. These provisions only apply to designated facilities with drinking water systems where the water is not provided through service connections with a municipal residential water system.

Records of daily or weekly flushing, test results and reports must be kept for at least six years.

Adverse Water Quality Reporting

A copy of the drinking water systems annual report submitted to MCYS.

When there is any adverse water quality test result or other problems related to improper disinfection:

• As soon as the operator becomes aware of an adverse test result, either from a licensed laboratory or from a test result of a sample taken on-site, or if the operator observes that the day nurseries’ drinking water system is directing water to users that has not been disinfected in accordance with the Ministry of the Environment’s Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario , the operator of the day nursery must immediately contact the local Medical Officer of Health AND the Ministry of the Environment Spills Action Centre (SAC) at 1-800-268-6060.
• Within 24 hours of receiving notice of the adverse test result, the operator must submit a written notice to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services using the Notice of Adverse Test Results and Other Problems form.
  • Notice of Adverse Test Results and Other Programs for O. Reg. 243/07
  • Notice of Adverse Test Results and Other Programs for O. Reg. 170/03

Where an immediate adverse water problem report is given and the issue is resolved:

• Within 30 days of resolution, a Notice of Issue Resolution must be submitted to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services summarizing the corrective action and results achieved.
  • Notice of Issue Resolution for O. Reg. 243/07
  • Notice of Issue Resolution for O. Reg. 170/03

A written statement must be developed that outlines the program philosophy and method of operation and that sets out:

• the services offered and the age range served;
• the times when the services are offered and the holidays observed;
• the fee for services, admission and discharge policies;
• the particular approach of the program including:
  • the philosophy of the program;
  • program development;
  • personal and health care, including nutrition;
  • parental involvement;
  • behaviour management;
  • specialized services, including individual program plans for handicapped children;
  • activities off the premises.
• information about policies related to the on-site posting of serious occurrences and supervision of volunteers and students.

The activities set out in a daily program plan must be posted and available at all times to any parent of an enrolled child

Any variation in the daily program plan must be noted in a daily written record kept for this purpose.

A Serious Occurrence Notification Form must be posted on-site about a serious occurrence that happened at the child care location in accordance with ministry policy.

Records must be kept of all inspections by the local medical officer of health (or designate), fire department and program advisor. Any recommendations must be recorded in the daily written record. A copy of any such report(s) must be submitted to a program advisor and retained on site for at least two years.

Written record must be kept for all fire drills, all tests of the fire alarm system (e. g. smoke alarms and/or sprinkler systems) and all tests of fire protection equipment (e. g. fire extinguishers). Each record must be retained for at least two years from the date of the drill and test.

Prior to a licence being issued, records must demonstrate that the premises complies with:

• laws affecting the health of the inhabitants of the municipality or the reserve of a band;
• any rule, regulation, direction or order of the local Board of Health or order of the local Medical Officer of Health that may affect the operation;
• any municipal or band council by-law or any other law for the protection of persons from fire hazards;
• any municipal or band council by-law to regulate the construction, repair or use of buildings;
• requirements of the Building Code made under the Building Code Act; 1992;
• requirements of the Fire Code made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.

Written policies and procedures must be established with respect to discipline, punishment and any isolation measures to be used in the day nursery.

The behaviour management policy and procedures:

• set out what practices are permitted and what practices are prohibited;
• include measures to deal with a contravention of the policies and procedures;
• include measures to deal with any behaviour that the operator must not permit or is prohibited from doing.

A written procedure is to be established for monitoring the behaviour management practices of employees and volunteers or students who provide care or guidance at the day nursery.

The written record of the monitoring of behaviour management practices must be kept for at least two years from the date of its creation.

An insurance policy must be maintained in full force and effect and must include comprehensive general liability coverage and personal injury coverage for employees and volunteers as well as motor vehicle coverage for all vehicles owned by the operator.