CPR Requirements for Daycare Staff in Ontario
Under Ontario’s Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) and WSIB safety regulations, daycare workers must maintain valid Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C certification.
This ensures child care staff are prepared to respond to choking, allergic reactions, breathing emergencies, injuries, and other medical incidents involving young children.
These requirements apply to all licensed child care centres, preschools, EarlyON programs, and licensed home daycare providers across Ontario, including Ottawa.
Why CPR & First Aid Are Mandatory for Daycare Staff
Children are at higher risk for sudden emergencies due to their age, curiosity, and developmental stage. Daycare workers must be trained to respond immediately to:
- Choking during meals or snacks
- CPR/AED emergencies
- Allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis and EpiPen use)
- Asthma attacks
- Seizures
- Playground injuries and falls
- Breathing emergencies
- Head, neck, and spinal injuries
Standard First Aid & CPR Level C prepares staff to handle these situations quickly and confidently until EMS arrives.
What CPR Level Do Daycare Workers Need?
Ontario requires:
Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C
This certification includes:
- Infant, child, and adult CPR
- AED operation
- Choking response for all ages
- Multi-rescuer CPR techniques
- Emergency scene management
- Breathing and circulatory emergency response
- Allergy and anaphylaxis management
This training is mandatory for:
- Daycare educators
- Preschool teachers
- Childcare assistants
- EarlyON facilitators
- Supervisors & program directors
- Licensed home daycare providers
Unlicensed home daycare operators are strongly encouraged to complete training for safety and liability protection.
How Many Staff Members Must Be Certified?
The CCEYA requires that:
- At least one staff member with valid Standard First Aid & CPR C must be onsite at all times.
However, most child care centres—especially in Ottawa—require:
- Full certification for all staff, including part-time, casual, and support educators.
This ensures legal compliance and reduces liability for the childcare operator.
Renewal Requirements for Daycare Staff
Certification validity:
Some childcare agencies and larger daycare chains request annual CPR refreshers, especially for infant and toddler programs.
Home Daycare Provider Requirements
Licensed home daycare providers must maintain:
Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C
This ensures caregivers can respond appropriately to emergencies while caring for infants and young children in their homes.
Unlicensed providers are not legally required to hold certification, but doing so improves safety, credibility, and parent trust.
Ontario Requirements + Ottawa Compliance
These rules apply province-wide; however, Ottawa child care centres have additional compliance checks:
- Ministry licensing inspections
- Health & safety audits
- Staff file reviews by program supervisors
First Aid Connect’s Canadian Red Cross certifications are:
- WSIB-accredited
- Accepted by all Ottawa and Ontario licensed child care operators
- Recognized across preschools, EarlyON centres, Montessori programs, and home daycare agencies
CPR Training Options for Daycare Staff in Ottawa
First Aid Connect offers flexible training designed for childcare workplaces:
Public certification classes
Evenings, weekends, and weekday options available at Kanata & Saint Laurent (Ottawa East) locations.
On-site daycare training
We can send an instructor to your child care facility.
We bring all equipment (manikins, AED trainers, quizzes).
Private group sessions
Perfect for centres needing full-team certification on the same day.
Fast certificate delivery
Certificates issued within 1–3 business days.
Register for Daycare First Aid & CPR in Ottawa
Book your accredited daycare Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C training here:
Register for training!
Conclusion
Daycare workers are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of young children, making CPR and First Aid training an essential requirement—not just a legal obligation.
By completing Standard First Aid & CPR Level C, daycare educators ensure they can respond confidently during emergencies and maintain full compliance with Ontario child care regulations.
For Ottawa daycare centres, First Aid Connect provides WSIB-approved training that meets every provincial requirement, with flexible scheduling and on-site options.
