December 14, 2025•3 minute read

CPR Requirements for Daycare Staff in Ontario

Under Ontario’s Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), daycare workers must maintain valid Standard First Aid + CPR Level C certification. This ensures staff can respond effectively to choking, allergic reactions, injuries, and medical emergencies.

Why CPR & First Aid Are Mandatory for Daycare Staff

Daycares must be ready to handle emergencies such as:

Choking during meals
CPR / AED Situations
Allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis)
Asthma attacks
Seizures
Playground injuries
Breathing emergencies
Head, neck, and spinal injuries

Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C training prepares employees to respond confidently.

What CPR Level Do Daycare Workers Need?

Ontario requires:

✔️ Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C

This includes:

Infant, child, and adult CPR
AED use
Multi-rescuer CPR
Choking response
Scene assessment

This is mandatory for:

Daycare educators
Preschool teachers
Childcare assistants
Supervisors
Home daycare providers

How Many Staff Members Must Be Certified?

At least one certified staff member must be present at all times
Most centres require every employee to hold Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C certifications

This reduces liability and ensures full coverage.

Renewal Requirements

Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C: is valid for 3 years. The certificate can be renewed to extend the certification validity for 3 more years prior to it's expiry.

Some childcare operators require more frequent / yearly CPR refreshers.

Home Daycare Provider Requirements

Licensed home daycare providers must maintain:

✔️ Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C

Unlicensed providers are strongly encouraged to be certified for safety and liability reasons.

Ottawa-Specific Child Care Compliance

Daycare staff in Ottawa must meet certification requirements during:

Licensing inspections
Health & safety audits
Program supervisor reviews

Our Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C certifications are accredited by the WSIB and are accepted everywhere.

CPR Training Options for Daycare Staff in Ottawa

First Aid Connect provides:

On-site daycare CPR training (An instructor can come to your facility or you can come to ours!)
Public classes
Group discounts
Quick turn around on certificates (within 1-3 business days)
Weekday, weekend, and evening classes available!

Book your accredited daycare Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C training by clicking here → Register now!

CPR

Daycare

Childcare

Ottawa

First Aid

Certification

Frequently Asked Questions

What CPR level do daycare staff need in Ontario?

Licensed child care centres require Standard First Aid with CPR / AED Level C for employees.

How long is the First Aid & CPR certification valid?

Both CPR / AED Level C and Standard First Aid are valid for 3 years.

Do all daycare staff need CPR training?

At least one trained staff member must be on-site at all times, but most centres require all staff to hold certification.

Do home daycare providers need Standard First Aid?

Yes. All licensed home daycare providers must maintain Standard First Aid with CPR C.

Where can daycare staff get certified in Ottawa?

First Aid Connect offers public and on-site group training that meets all Ontario licensing requirements. We can send out an instructor to your workplace or your group can come to one of our fully equipped training facilities.