The Child Care Quality Assurance and Licensing (CCQAL) Branch of Ontario’s Ministry of Education oversees all licensed child care programs in the province. Their role is to ensure that every licensed program operates safely, meets all legal requirements, and provides high‑quality care for children. This work is guided by the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA), which sets the standards that all licensed programs must follow. Through this oversight, the CCQAL ensures that licensed child care programs provide safe and nurturing environments, employ qualified and vetted staff, offer age‑appropriate programming, maintain transparent operations, and receive ongoing monitoring and support. Every licensed child care program in Ontario receives regular inspections to verify compliance with the CCEYA. These inspections identify any areas that require correction and support programs in maintaining high‑quality environments. Child care centres must renew their licence annually in order to continue operating, and the CCQAL reviews each program’s health, safety, staffing, programming, and physical environment to ensure provincial standards are met. This licensing framework protects children and gives families confidence that licensed programs follow consistent expectations across the province. Inspection results are posted publicly through Ontario’s online child care finder, allowing families to review a program’s compliance history. The CCQAL also responds to concerns related to safety, supervision, ratios, staff conduct, or any potential violations of the CCEYA. Families can contact the Ministry directly to report concerns, and complaint information is available online to support transparency and accountability within the child care sector.
