Ontario Daycare & Childcare Centre Signs — CCEYA Signage Requirements (2026)

Operating a daycare or childcare centre in Ontario means complying with some of the most detailed safety regulations in the country. The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA, S.O. 2014, c. 11, Sched. 1) and its regulation O. Reg. 137/15 mandate specific signs and postings throughout your facility. These are not suggestions — they are conditions of your licence. This guide covers every sign your childcare centre needs to display in 2026, with exact regulatory references.

Licensing Display Requirements

Under Section 11 of the CCEYA and Section 76 of O. Reg. 137/15, every licensed childcare centre must prominently display its licence in an area clearly visible to parents and visitors.

What Must Be Displayed

• The childcare centre licence issued by the Ministry of Education
• The name of the licensee and the licensed capacity for each age group
• The most recent inspection report summary from the Ministry of Education
• Any conditions or restrictions attached to the licence
• The licence expiry date

The licence must be posted in a conspicuous location near the main entrance where parents drop off and pick up children. It cannot be hidden in an office or stored in a binder. Ministry inspectors will check for this during every visit.

Staff Qualification Postings

While not a physical sign, Section 53 of O. Reg. 137/15 requires that information about staff qualifications be available to parents. Many centres post a staff qualification board showing:

• Names of all staff members
• Their Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) status
• Current First Aid and CPR certification status
• Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) completion

Allergy Awareness & Anaphylaxis Signs

Allergy management is one of the most critical safety areas in childcare. Sabrina's Law (S.O. 2005, c. 7) and Section 39 of O. Reg. 137/15 impose strict requirements on childcare centres.

Required Allergy Postings

• Individual anaphylaxis plans for each child with a known allergy must be posted in all rooms the child uses, including the kitchen/food preparation area
• A list of all children with allergies and their specific allergens must be posted in the kitchen and each playroom — updated whenever a child enrols or a new allergy is identified
• "Allergen-Free Zone" or "Nut-Free Facility" signs at all entrances
• EpiPen/auto-injector location signs identifying where emergency medication is stored
• The centre's Anaphylaxis Policy must be posted or available at the sign-in area

These postings must include the child's photo, name, allergens, symptoms to watch for, and emergency protocol. Under Sabrina's Law, failing to maintain proper allergy awareness signage can result in liability for the centre if a child has an allergic reaction.

Emergency Procedure Signs

Under Sections 68 and 68.1 of O. Reg. 137/15, childcare centres must have comprehensive emergency management procedures, and these must be visibly posted throughout the facility.

Fire Safety Signs

• Fire escape route plans posted in every room — showing exits, assembly points, and equipment locations
• Fire extinguisher location signs identifying each extinguisher's position
• "In Case of Fire" instruction signs with step-by-step evacuation procedures
• Fire drill schedule and log — O. Reg. 137/15 requires fire drills to be conducted monthly
• Emergency exits clearly marked with illuminated EXIT signs per the Ontario Fire Code

Emergency Procedures Posting

A comprehensive emergency procedures sign must be posted at each exit and in each program room. This must include protocols for:

• Fire — evacuation routes, assembly point, headcount procedures
• Severe weather (tornado, severe thunderstorm) — shelter-in-place locations
• Lockdown — procedures for violent threat or dangerous person
• Bomb threat — evacuation procedures
• Medical emergency — location of first aid kit, AED, and emergency contacts
• Power failure / gas leak — shutdown and evacuation procedures

These are not just good practice — they are mandatory under the CCEYA emergency management framework that was strengthened following tragic incidents in childcare settings.

Emergency Contact Signs

Near every telephone in the centre, a sign must display:

• 911 (emergency services)
• Poison Control Centre — 1-800-268-9017
• Local Children's Aid Society (CAS) number
• The centre's address (for emergency responders)
• Licensee contact information
• Ministry of Education Child Care Quality Assurance licensing office number

Visitor Sign-In & Access Control

Under Section 63 of O. Reg. 137/15 (supervision of children) and general duty of care provisions, childcare centres must maintain strict access control.

Required Signage for Visitor Management

• "All Visitors Must Sign In" sign at the main entrance
• Visitor log location clearly marked — visitors must record name, time in/out, and purpose of visit
• "This Door Must Remain Locked" signs on all exterior doors
• Buzzer/intercom instructions for visitors seeking entry
• "Authorized Pick-Up Only" sign reminding parents that children will only be released to persons on the authorized pick-up list

These signs serve a dual purpose: they communicate security protocols to visitors and provide documentation that the centre takes child safety seriously — important during Ministry inspections and in any liability situation.

Health & Hygiene Signs

Under Sections 33-38 of O. Reg. 137/15 (health and safety) and public health guidelines, childcare centres must post health and hygiene signs throughout the facility.

Hand Washing Signs

• Posted at every sink used by staff or children
• Include step-by-step hand washing instructions with illustrations
• Child-friendly versions with pictures for younger children
• Signs indicating when to wash hands (before eating, after washroom, after outdoor play, after handling animals)

Diapering & Washroom Signs

• Diaper changing procedure posted at each change table
• Glove disposal instructions
• Sanitization schedule for change tables and washroom fixtures

Illness Policy Signs

• "Do Not Bring Your Child If They Are Ill" sign at the entrance
• List of excludable symptoms (fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, conjunctivitis)
• Communicable disease notification — posted when an illness outbreak is reported to the local public health unit

Outdoor Play Area Signs

Under Section 20 of O. Reg. 137/15, outdoor play spaces must meet specific requirements. Signage supports safety in these areas:

• Sun safety reminders — particularly during summer months (UV index, sunscreen, hats)
• "Supervised Play Area" signs indicating that children are under supervision
• Gate closure reminders — "Please Close Gate Behind You" on all fenced play area gates
• Equipment safety rules posted near playground equipment
• No dogs / no smoking signs on the play area perimeter

Nutrition & Food Safety Signs

If your childcare centre prepares or serves food, additional signs are required under Ontario Regulation 493/17 (Food Premises) and local public health requirements:

• Food handler certification displayed in the kitchen area
• Menu of the day/week posted where parents can see it (required under Section 42 of O. Reg. 137/15)
• Allergen information clearly visible in the food preparation area
• Food storage temperature log location marked
• Hand washing signs in the food preparation area (in addition to washroom signs)

Ministry Inspection Preparation

Ministry of Education inspectors conduct annual comprehensive inspections and may also perform unannounced visits. During inspections, they specifically check for proper signage as evidence of regulatory compliance. Here is what they look for:

• Licence displayed in a conspicuous location
• Capacity limits clearly posted per room
• Allergy lists current and posted in all required locations
• Emergency procedures posted and up to date
• Fire drill documentation posted and current
• Hand washing and health signs in proper locations
• Visitor sign-in procedures clearly marked

Non-compliance with signage requirements can result in compliance orders, conditions on your licence, or in serious cases, licence revocation. Given that CCEYA non-compliance is publicly reported, maintaining proper signage protects both your licence and your reputation.

Complete Childcare Centre Signage Checklist

• ☑ Licence and inspection report posted at entrance
• ☑ Capacity limits posted in each room
• ☑ Individual anaphylaxis plans posted in all rooms child uses
• ☑ Allergen-free zone signs at entrances
• ☑ Allergy list posted in kitchen and playrooms
• ☑ EpiPen location signs
• ☑ Fire escape plans in every room
• ☑ Emergency procedure signs at exits and in program rooms
• ☑ Emergency contact numbers near all telephones
• ☑ Visitor sign-in signs at entrance
• ☑ Locked door signs on all exterior doors
• ☑ Hand washing signs at every sink
• ☑ Diaper changing procedure signs at change tables
• ☑ Illness exclusion policy posted at entrance
• ☑ Outdoor play area safety signs
• ☑ Gate closure reminders on play area gates
• ☑ Daily/weekly menu posted for parents
• ☑ Staff qualification board accessible to parents

Frequently Asked Questions

What signs are required in an Ontario daycare centre?

Ontario daycare centres must display their licence, allergy awareness postings (individual anaphylaxis plans and allergen lists), emergency procedure signs (fire escape plans, emergency contacts), visitor sign-in signs, hand washing instructions, illness exclusion policies, and capacity limits in each room. These are mandated under the CCEYA and O. Reg. 137/15.

Where must the childcare centre licence be displayed?

The licence must be posted in a conspicuous location near the main entrance where parents drop off and pick up children. It cannot be stored in an office or binder. Ministry inspectors check for this during every visit.

What are the allergy sign requirements under Sabrina's Law?

Sabrina's Law requires individual anaphylaxis plans (including the child's photo, allergens, symptoms, and emergency protocol) to be posted in every room the child uses, plus the kitchen. A master list of all children with allergies must also be posted in the kitchen and each playroom.

How often must fire drills be conducted in an Ontario daycare?

Under O. Reg. 137/15, fire drills must be conducted monthly. The fire drill schedule and completion log must be posted in the centre. Fire escape route plans must be displayed in every room showing exits and assembly points.

What happens if a daycare fails a Ministry of Education inspection?

Non-compliance can result in compliance orders, conditions on your licence, or licence revocation in serious cases. CCEYA non-compliance is publicly reported, which can affect your centre's reputation and enrolment. Signage issues are among the most common inspection findings.

Do I need specific signs for outdoor play areas?

Yes. Outdoor play areas should have sun safety reminders, supervised play area signs, gate closure reminders, equipment safety rules, and no dogs/no smoking signs on the perimeter. These support your duty of care obligations under the CCEYA.

Can I order custom daycare signs that match my centre's branding?

Absolutely. Niagara Stands Out produces custom childcare centre signs in child-friendly designs with your centre's name and colours. We ensure all content meets Ministry of Education and CCEYA requirements. Browse our safety signs collection.

Are hand washing signs mandatory in daycares?

Yes. Under O. Reg. 137/15 health and safety requirements and public health guidelines, hand washing instruction signs must be posted at every sink used by staff or children, including in food preparation areas and washrooms.

Related guides: All Business Resources | Shop Safety Signs | Latest Compliance Updates

Need AODA, MTO, or DOT-compliant lettering? Our compliance lettering specialists have you covered.