Child Care Centre Construction in the GTA

Ontario requires at least 2.8 square metres of unobstructed play space per infant, toddler and preschool child, and 2.58 square metres per kindergarten or school-age child, based on licensed capacity. Full-day programs also need 5.6 square metres of outdoor play space per child. Fixed items don't count as unobstructed, so we design backward from your target enrolment.

The Ministry of Education licenses centres under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014. Before that, the address has to be zoned for a child care use, and the space needs a building permit and fire and public health approvals. We sequence all of them so the licensing inspection isn't waiting on construction.

It must be sized to the licensed capacity, fenced to at least 1.2 metres wherever infants, toddlers or preschoolers use it, and fitted with play equipment that meets CSA Z614, the Canadian standard for children's playspaces. We also plan safe, supervised access from the building and shade for summer use.

Child-height toilets and sinks, handwashing sinks in or beside play rooms and diapering areas, a kitchen for meal preparation and staff washrooms. Heating keeps rooms at or above the temperature the regulation sets, and we fit tempering valves so child-accessible taps can't scald.

Often, if the zoning permits it and the unit can meet the indoor and outdoor space, exit and washroom requirements. A change of use needs a building permit, so we test the unit against the licensing formulas before you sign the lease.