Child Care Inspection Prep for Toronto Operators
Child care inspection prep does not need a scramble. Toronto Public Health inspects licensed centres for infection prevention and control, and most Toronto centres pass. This page is a calm, practical list for keeping it that way, written for directors and supervisors.
This page is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of Toronto or Toronto Public Health. Always confirm with the child care centre and the City's own site. Toronto Public Health inspections (City of Toronto)
Start with the pattern, not the panic
An inspector sees one day. What makes that day go well is the other 364. A short routine that every staff member follows, written down where people can see it, does more than a deep clean the night before.
Room by room
Play rooms
- Clean first, then disinfect. Soil and food left on a surface stop a disinfectant from working.
- Leave the disinfectant wet for the contact time printed on its label. Wiping it dry early is the most common gap.
- Keep mouthed toys separate until they are cleaned. A simple "to be cleaned" bin works.
Diapering and washrooms
- Post the diapering steps at the station, and keep the station clear of anything that is not part of them.
- Check that hand sinks have soap, paper towels and running warm water at all times, not only at the start of the day.
Sensory play and toys
- Sand, water and play dough tables need their own routine: when they are emptied, cleaned and refilled, and who does it.
Policies, information sheets and pests
- Keep your written health policies current and where staff can find them. Policies and information sheets are among the headings the City uses for what inspectors note.
- Report any sign of pests early and keep a record of what was done about it.
Sleep rooms
- Give each child their own labelled bedding and launder it on a set schedule.
Your records
Keep your own written routine and your own logs where staff can reach them. If you want a starting point, our free daycare cleaning and sanitizing log and daycare cleaning checklist template are printable and yours to adapt.
If you get a result you did not expect
Read exactly what was noted and how severe it was (our page on how to read the results explains the levels). Fix the item, note what you changed, and tell parents plainly if they ask. A clear answer builds more trust than a perfect record.
Want help keeping rooms inspection-ready?
Our crews follow IPAC protocols. Our experienced cleaners get to know your centre, and we follow a checklist approved by you. We use the cleaning products your centre chooses and approves, so they suit your staff, including anyone with allergies or sensitivities.
Book a free on-site walkthrough. We call back within 2 hours (8 AM–8 PM, 7 days a week), and you get a written quote within 24 hours.
More on our work for centres: daycare cleaning across the GTA and daycare cleaning in Toronto.
Frequently asked questions
Does Toronto Public Health announce child care inspections?
Plan as if it does not. Treat every day as an inspection day: the easiest way to be ready is a routine that runs the same way whether or not anyone is watching.
What does a cleaning company do and not do for an inspection?
A cleaning company cleans to a checklist you approve and uses the products your centre chooses. The inspection, the licence and the records the City asks to see belong to the centre. A cleaner can make the rooms easier to keep ready; it cannot pass an inspection for you.
How fast can Zusashi Maintenance start?
We call back within 2 hours (8 AM–8 PM, 7 days a week), and we send a written quote within 24 hours of the free on-site walkthrough.
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto.
Data last updated: October 26, 2026.
Reformatted by Zusashi Maintenance Company.
Sources: Toronto Public Health child care inspections and Licensed child care centres (City of Toronto Open Data). Seen a mistake? Ask us to correct it.