Daycare Cleaning Protocols in Ontario: What Licensed Centres Must Do

Licensed childcare centres in Ontario operate under some of the strictest cleanliness requirements of any commercial facility. Young children are uniquely vulnerable to infectious illness — their immune systems are still developing, they regularly put their hands and objects in their mouths, and they share close quarters for extended periods. The Ontario government has responded to this reality with prescriptive cleaning and disinfection requirements that licensed centres must follow as a condition of their operating licence.

This guide explains what the Child Care and Early Years Act and its associated regulations require for cleaning, the practical difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting in a childcare context, what child-safe products must meet, outbreak protocols, and what to look for when hiring an external cleaning service for your daycare.

The Legal Framework: Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA)

The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) and Ontario Regulation 137/15 establish the cleanliness and health standards for all licensed childcare centres in Ontario. The Ministry of Education administers compliance through licensing advisors who conduct regular inspections of licensed facilities.

Under O. Reg. 137/15, licensed centres are required to:

• ✓Keep all areas of the premises clean and in a sanitary condition at all times
• ✓Clean and sanitize or disinfect items that children use, including toys, equipment, and sleep surfaces, according to specified schedules
• ✓Use cleaning and disinfecting agents that are appropriate for use in settings where young children are present
• ✓Maintain written cleaning records that document what was cleaned, when, and with what product
• ✓Ensure that children are not present while chemical cleaning products are being applied, or that safe products appropriate for use around children are used

Licensing advisors review cleaning logs during inspections and can issue compliance orders if records are incomplete or protocols are not being followed. Persistent non-compliance can result in licence suspension or revocation.

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting: The Difference Matters in Childcare

In many commercial settings, "cleaning" and "disinfecting" are used interchangeably. In licensed childcare, the distinction between three separate steps is legally and operationally significant:

Cleaning

Cleaning removes visible dirt, organic matter, and debris from a surface using soap or detergent and water. It is a necessary first step before sanitizing or disinfecting — a dirty surface cannot be properly sanitized because organic matter blocks the action of sanitizers. Cleaning alone does not kill pathogens.

Sanitizing

Sanitizing reduces the number of bacteria on a surface to a safe level as defined by public health standards — typically a 99.9% reduction. Sanitizing is the appropriate step for items that go in children's mouths (toys, teethers, water table equipment) and food contact surfaces. The Ontario Ministry of Education's guidance specifies diluted bleach solutions as the standard sanitizer for many childcare applications, though Health Canada-registered alternatives are also acceptable.

Disinfecting

Disinfecting achieves a higher level of pathogen reduction than sanitizing — it is required for diapering surfaces, washrooms, and any surface contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. Under the CCEYA framework, disinfection requires the use of a product with a Health Canada Drug Identification Number (DIN) that makes kill claims against the relevant pathogens. Disinfecting is a higher intervention than sanitizing, and the products used for disinfection require more care in handling and more attention to ventilation and contact time.

Daily Cleaning Requirements by Area

Toys and Play Materials

Ontario CCEYA regulations require that toys used by infants and toddlers be cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis — or immediately if contaminated. Hard plastic toys that go in children's mouths must be washed with soap and water and then sanitized with an approved solution after each use. Soft toys and items that cannot be wet-cleaned must be laundered frequently and removed from use when soiled. Shared play items such as building blocks and sensory materials must be cleaned and sanitized between groups.

Diapering Areas and Washrooms

The diapering station is the highest-risk surface in a childcare centre from an infection control perspective. Under Ontario regulations, the diapering surface must be cleaned and disinfected after every diaper change without exception. The sequence is: clean with soap and water, then apply a DIN-registered disinfectant at the recommended concentration for the specified contact time. Washrooms serving children must be cleaned and disinfected at least once daily, with additional attention given to toilet seats, faucets, and door handles.

Sleeping Areas and Cots

Sleep equipment — including cots, mattresses, and any bedding — must be assigned to individual children and not shared without laundering or sanitizing between uses. Mattress covers must be laundered regularly. The sleeping room or area must be swept and cleaned daily. Under the CCEYA, sleeping environments are also inspected for appropriate ventilation and temperature.

Kitchen and Food Preparation Areas

Food preparation surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized before and after food preparation. Sinks used for both food prep and handwashing must be cleaned between uses. Dish sanitization — whether by commercial dishwasher reaching the required final rinse temperature or by three-compartment sink — must meet public health food premises standards in addition to CCEYA requirements.

Child-Safe Product Requirements

Not every cleaning product approved for commercial use is appropriate in a childcare setting. Ontario Ministry of Education guidance and public health best practice restrict the types of products that can be used when children are present or in spaces they will immediately reoccupy.

• —Cleaning products used in rooms with children present must have low or no VOC content — products with strong chemical odours are not appropriate in occupied childcare spaces
• —Bleach-based sanitizers, while effective, must be properly diluted (typically 100 ppm for sanitizing, 1,000 ppm for disinfecting) and surfaces must be fully dry before children return
• —Products must not contain fragrances, dyes, or preservatives that are known allergens or sensitizers for young children
• —All products must have an up-to-date Safety Data Sheet on site and staff must be WHMIS trained in safe handling
• —Products used on food contact surfaces or mouthed toys must be food-safe or thoroughly rinsed after application

Several municipalities in the GTA, including the City of Toronto, have additional requirements for fragrance-free cleaning products in schools and childcare settings due to scent sensitivity policies.

Outbreak Response Protocols

Licensed childcare centres are required to report outbreaks of certain illnesses to their local public health unit, which then provides direction on enhanced cleaning and exclusion protocols. Common childcare outbreaks include:

Norovirus (Stomach Flu)

Norovirus is extremely contagious and survives on surfaces for extended periods. During a norovirus outbreak, all high-touch surfaces and bathrooms must be disinfected multiple times daily with a product effective against non-enveloped viruses — a category that includes DIN-registered bleach solutions and some hydrogen peroxide-based products. Standard alcohol-based sanitizers are not effective against norovirus.

Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by enteroviruses that spread through direct contact and fomites (contaminated surfaces and toys). During an HFMD outbreak, toy disinfection frequency increases significantly, diaper areas receive extra attention, and water play is typically suspended. Toronto Public Health provides specific guidance when HFMD is reported.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Bacterial or viral conjunctivitis spreads rapidly in childcare settings through shared surfaces and direct contact. During an outbreak, pillows and sleep items used by affected children must be laundered before reuse, and all high-touch surfaces are disinfected more frequently. Exclusion of symptomatic children is typically required until symptom resolution.

How Often Should a Daycare Hire Professional Deep Cleaning?

Daily cleaning obligations can be managed by trained centre staff. However, professional deep cleaning serves a different function — it addresses the areas that accumulate contamination beyond the reach of daily protocols: HVAC vents and grilles, carpeting in group rooms, upholstered furniture, high-level surfaces, and the detailed cleaning of washroom tile grout and floor drains.

Industry best practice for licensed childcare centres in Ontario recommends professional deep cleaning on the following schedule:

• —Monthly: professional washroom deep clean including grout scrubbing and drain treatment
• —Quarterly: full facility deep clean including all floors, upholstery, and high-touch surfaces
• —Semi-annually: carpet extraction in all carpeted play and sleep areas
• —Annually: full facility including HVAC grille cleaning, high dusting, and window cleaning
• —Post-outbreak: professional disinfection of the affected area and any high-risk surfaces throughout the facility

What to Look for When Hiring a Daycare Cleaning Company

Not every commercial cleaning company has experience with the specific requirements of licensed childcare environments. When evaluating cleaning services for your centre, look for:

• ✓Demonstrated knowledge of CCEYA cleaning requirements and willingness to align their protocols to your licensing obligations
• ✓Use of Health Canada DIN-registered disinfectants appropriate for childcare settings
• ✓Child-safe product formulations — low VOC, fragrance-free, and safe for surfaces children contact
• ✓WHMIS training and current Safety Data Sheets for all products used on site
• ✓Willingness to clean during non-program hours so children are not present during chemical application
• ✓Experience with outbreak response and capacity to mobilize quickly when public health directs enhanced cleaning
• ✓Police record checks for all staff entering the facility
• ✓Detailed written cleaning specifications and logs that can be made available to licensing advisors

LowFare Maintenance provides licensed daycare cleaning services across Markham, Toronto, and the GTA with protocols designed around CCEYA compliance. Learn more about our daycare cleaning services, our daycare cleaning in Toronto, or our electrostatic disinfection services for comprehensive post-outbreak disinfection.