CCEYA Cleaning Requirements for Ontario Licensed Daycares (2026 Guide)

What is the CCEYA and How Does It Govern Cleaning?

The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 is Ontario's primary legislation governing licensed childcare. It replaced the Day Nurseries Act and significantly expanded both the scope of oversight and the specificity of requirements for licensed operators. Under the CCEYA, the Ministry of Education is responsible for licensing, inspecting, and enforcing standards at all licensed childcare settings in Ontario — including centre-based daycares, home childcare agencies, and before-and-after school programs.

Cleaning and sanitation requirements fall under the health and safety provisions of the CCEYA and its associated Ontario Regulation 137/15 (General). The regulation does not prescribe a single cleaning checklist — instead, it sets outcome-based requirements: the facility must be kept in a sanitary condition, surfaces that children contact must be cleaned and disinfected at appropriate frequencies, and foods and food preparation areas must meet food safety standards.

What this means practically is that Ministry inspectors assess whether the overall cleanliness and sanitation of your facility meets a standard appropriate for the ages and vulnerability of the children in care. Inspectors bring their professional judgment — not just a binary checklist — which means the quality and documentation of your cleaning program matters as much as the physical outcome.

The Core CCEYA Cleaning Requirements Zone by Zone

1. Mouthing Toys and Play Equipment

Mouthing toys — any item that infants and toddlers place in their mouths — represent the highest infection risk in any childcare setting. The CCEYA and associated Public Health Ontario guidelines require that mouthing toys be removed from circulation and sanitized between uses. In practice, this means:

• A dedicated container for toys that have been mouthed, kept separate from clean toys throughout the day
• Sanitization of mouthed items before they return to circulation — using a Health Canada-approved, child-safe disinfectant at the correct dilution and contact time
• Full sanitization of all play equipment at least daily
• Weekly deep cleaning of all toys including rotation cleaning of items not mouthed but regularly handled
• Documentation of toy cleaning frequency in the facility's cleaning log

A cleaning company that doesn't specifically address mouthing toys in their scope of work is not meeting CCEYA standards — this is one of the areas Ministry inspectors commonly flag.

2. Diaper Changing Stations

Diaper changing stations are classified as high-risk surfaces under CCEYA because they involve direct contact with body fluids and serve multiple children throughout the day. Requirements include:

• Disinfection of the changing table surface after every diaper change — this is a staff responsibility during the day, not solely a cleaning company function
• End-of-day deep disinfection of the entire changing station area including the table surface, mat, surrounding counter, diaper pail, and floor beneath
• Separate mop and cloth equipment for the diaper area — equipment used here must never be used in kitchen or eating areas
• Proper handling and disposal of soiled materials following Public Health Ontario guidelines

Your professional cleaning company handles the end-of-day deep disinfection. The cleaning log must record what product was used, the DIN number, dilution, and contact time for the diaper area specifically — not just a general note that the room was cleaned.

3. Food Preparation and Eating Areas

Kitchens, food preparation surfaces, and eating areas are subject to both CCEYA requirements and Ontario's food safety regulations. For cleaning purposes:

The food-safe sanitizer used on eating surfaces must be approved for food-contact surfaces — it must be rinsed or be no-rinse at the correct concentration. This is a specific category of product distinct from general disinfectants, and a cleaning company that doesn't distinguish between the two is applying the wrong product to surfaces children eat from.

4. Infant and Toddler Floor Areas

Floors in infant and toddler rooms carry a CCEYA cleaning standard that is higher than adult commercial spaces — because children spend time on these floors in direct skin contact, and because infants frequently bring their hands from floor to mouth. Requirements include:

• Daily mopping with a pH-neutral, fragrance-free, non-toxic product that is safe for skin contact
• Play mats and foam floor tiles cleaned and disinfected daily — not just wiped
• Separate mop equipment dedicated to infant room floors — never shared with bathroom or kitchen mops
• Products used on infant floors must not leave harmful residues — this rules out many standard commercial floor cleaners that are safe for adult workplaces but inappropriate for environments where infants crawl

This is an area where many general commercial cleaning companies fail CCEYA compliance without knowing it. Standard commercial floor products are often not appropriate for infant-contact surfaces. A cleaning company serving licensed daycares must stock and use distinct products for infant room floors.

5. Bathrooms and Washroom Areas

Daycare washrooms serve children across multiple age groups and are high-traffic, high-risk areas requiring daily deep cleaning:

• Toilets, toilet seats, and flush handles disinfected daily with a Health Canada DIN-registered disinfectant
• Child-height fixtures — small toilets, step stools, lower sinks — must be specifically included; adult-height fixtures only is insufficient
• Potty training equipment (potty chairs, training inserts) disinfected daily
• Floors disinfected daily with a dedicated washroom mop — never shared with other rooms
• Hand soap and paper towel dispensers restocked at every cleaning
• Door handles — interior and exterior — disinfected daily as high-touch surfaces

6. Sleep Areas and Cots

The CCEYA requires that each child have their own sleep equipment — cots, mats, or cribs — and that sleep equipment be cleaned and sanitized regularly:

• Cot surfaces and sleep mats disinfected weekly at minimum, and after any illness-related soiling
• Crib mattresses cleaned and sanitized weekly
• Bedding laundered regularly — frequency depends on the facility's policy but must be documented
• Sleep areas vacuumed and floors cleaned weekly; more frequently if carpeted

Documentation: What Ministry Inspectors Expect

One of the most common compliance gaps found in Ontario daycare inspections is not dirty surfaces — it's missing or inadequate cleaning records. Ministry of Education inspectors expect licensed operators to be able to demonstrate their cleaning program, not just describe it.

A compliant cleaning log for a licensed childcare centre should record:

If your current cleaning company leaves behind no written record after each visit, your facility has a documentation gap — regardless of how well the physical cleaning is performed. An inspector who asks for records and receives none will treat this as a compliance failure.

Vulnerable Sector Screening for Cleaning Staff

The CCEYA requires that anyone who has unsupervised access to children in a licensed childcare setting must hold a current Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) — also known as Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). This requirement extends to cleaning staff who enter the facility when children are present or when the facility is not fully staffed.

In practice, most licensed daycare cleaning happens after hours or early morning before children arrive. Even so, many operators require VSC for all cleaning staff as a condition of their licence and their own risk management policies. Before hiring a cleaning company for your daycare, confirm:

• All staff who will enter your facility hold a current Vulnerable Sector Check (issued within the past 5 years for most police services)
• Copies of VSC records are available on request — not just a verbal assurance
• The cleaning company has a policy for updating VSC when staff change

A cleaning company that cannot produce VSC documentation for their staff is not operating at a standard appropriate for a licensed childcare setting.

Health Canada-Approved Products: What "Child-Safe" Actually Means

The term "child-safe" is used loosely in the cleaning industry. For CCEYA compliance, child-safe means specific things:

• Health Canada DIN or NPN registration: Products used on surfaces children contact must carry a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN) — confirming Health Canada has evaluated the product for safety and efficacy
• Fragrance-free where possible: Fragrance compounds are respiratory irritants and developmental concerns for young children. CCEYA-compliant cleaning programs use fragrance-free products, particularly in infant and toddler rooms
• No harmful VOCs: Volatile organic compounds off-gas after application and linger in enclosed spaces like infant rooms. Products should be low- or zero-VOC rated
• Appropriate for surface type: A product that is safe and effective on a hard floor tile may not be appropriate for a soft foam play mat or fabric-covered cot. Your cleaning company must select products matched to each surface type
• Correct dilution and contact time: A product used at the wrong dilution is either ineffective (too dilute) or potentially harmful (too concentrated). CCEYA compliance requires correct product application — not just the right product on the shelf

Cleaning Frequency Schedule — CCEYA Minimum Standards

How to Verify Your Cleaning Company is CCEYA Compliant

Before signing a cleaning contract for your licensed childcare centre, ask these questions and expect written, specific answers:

• "Do all your staff hold current Vulnerable Sector Checks?" — Ask to see a sample record. A verbal "yes" is not sufficient.
• "What specific products do you use for infant room floors, and what are their DIN numbers?" — They should be able to name products immediately. Hesitation or "we use safe products" is a red flag.
• "Can you show me a sample cleaning log from another childcare client?" — If they don't provide written logs, they are not meeting Ministry documentation standards.
• "How do you sanitize mouthing toys?" — This should be in their scope of work. If they've never been asked this question, they haven't cleaned a licensed daycare before.
• "Do you use separate mop equipment for the kitchen and bathroom zones?" — Basic cross-contamination prevention. No colour-coded system is a red flag.
• "Have you cleaned through a Ministry of Education inspection at a client facility?" — Experience with inspections means they understand what compliance looks like under real scrutiny.

Zusashi Maintenance provides written cleaning logs after every visit, uses Health Canada-approved disinfectants matched to each zone and surface type, and requires current Vulnerable Sector Checks for all staff entering licensed childcare settings. Our GTA daycare cleaning service covers facilities across Brampton, Scarborough, North York, Vaughan, Mississauga, Toronto, and Markham.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cleaning requirements does the CCEYA set for Ontario daycares?

The CCEYA requires Ontario licensed childcare centres to maintain a safe, sanitary environment at all times. This includes daily disinfection of mouthing toys and high-touch surfaces, food-safe sanitization of eating and food prep areas, daily deep cleaning of bathrooms with child-height fixtures, written cleaning logs, and the use of Health Canada-approved disinfectants appropriate for use around children. Ministry of Education inspectors verify compliance during licensing visits and unannounced inspections.

What disinfectants are allowed in Ontario licensed daycares under CCEYA?

Disinfectants used in licensed daycares must carry a Health Canada Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN), be appropriate for the surface type and age group, and be free of harmful VOCs and fragrances where possible. For infant room floors and surfaces in direct skin contact with children, pH-neutral, fragrance-free, non-toxic products that meet Health Canada standards are required. Standard commercial disinfectants appropriate for adult workplaces may not be suitable for childcare settings.

Do Ontario daycares need written cleaning logs under CCEYA?

Yes. Ministry of Education inspectors expect licensed childcare centres to maintain documented records of their cleaning program. Compliant logs record the date, time, zones cleaned, products used including DIN numbers, dilution ratios, contact times, and the signature of the staff member who completed the cleaning. Missing or incomplete records are treated as a compliance failure during inspections — even if the physical cleaning itself was adequate.

How often must toys be sanitized in Ontario daycares under CCEYA?

Mouthing toys must be removed and sanitized between uses or groups throughout the day. All toys should receive a full sanitization daily, and non-mouthing toys should be deep-cleaned weekly as part of a rotation schedule. Toy cleaning must be documented in the facility's cleaning records. During outbreak situations, toy sanitization frequency increases to comply with Public Health Ontario guidelines.

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

Ministry inspectors can issue written orders requiring correction of deficiencies within a set timeframe. Repeat or serious violations can result in conditions on the licence, mandatory compliance plans, increased inspection frequency, or in extreme cases, licence suspension or revocation. Legal responsibility rests with the licensed operator, not the cleaning company — making the choice of cleaning provider a significant compliance decision, not just an operational one.