Childcare centres (CPE) and day care centres must have an outdoor play space (or have access to a public park) within 500 metres, because children need to be physically active in a safe environment. The layout of the outdoor play space must also facilitate the role of the childcare staff.
When childcare centres (CPE) and day care centres set up a play area and equipment in their outdoor space, they have the following obligations.
- comply with the CSA-Z614 standard, which allows prevention of accidents and injuries in these spaces;
- maintain the equipment;
- keep the registers provided for to this effect;
- record everything in their annual report.
Each childcare centre (CPE) and day care centre equipped with an outdoor play area must provide the Ministère de la Famille with a certificate of compliance with CSA-Z614, issued by a professional qualified to conduct the required inspections, certifying that the play area and its equipment comply with this standard. The certificate is valid for a three-year period.
On the occasion of their regular visits, the Ministère de la Famille inspectors pay special attention to safety in the outdoor space and the play area.
For home childcare services, the home childcare provider is responsible for ensuring that any climbing apparatus, swing, slide or similar outdoor equipment has smooth surfaces with no sharp edges, is safe and is installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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