Early childhood education refers to programs for children from birth to age 6. The Ministry of Education is responsible for early childhood education and child care.
Early childhood education
Education for students aged 0-6
While childcare and early childhood education falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, there is a separate Associate Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care.
In 2014, the Ontario government introduced the Child Care and Early Years Act. The purpose of this legislation is to “foster the learning, development, health and well-being of children and to enhance their safety”.
The Act provides a framework for the regulation of child care programs, including training requirements for staff. It includes regulations governing things like health and safety standards, staff-child ratios, space requirements, nutritional standards, and access to outdoors.
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