Vaccine and Medical Requirements for Child Care Centres

The information on this page is for child care professionals. If you are looking for information for community members visit Child Care and Early Learning.

Vaccines are a safe and effective way to stop diseases and protect people of all ages. The more people who are vaccinated, the more people in our communities are protected.

Child care providers must make sure children, staff and volunteers in their centres have up to date vaccinations, or the proper paperwork to show they are exempt.

On this page:

Vaccination entrance requirements for children

The Child Care and Early Years Act says that child care providers must make sure all children at their centre have an up-to-date record of vaccination, or a valid exemption on file. 

On our school and child care vaccination page you can find:

  • Information on required vaccines
  • How parents report vaccines to Public Health
  • What counts as a valid exemption

Child care centres must keep a record of one or more of the following for each child at their centre:

  • A copy of the vaccination record issued by Public Health or a health care provider, or the original yellow “Immunization Record” 
  • A valid medical exemption or non-medical exemption
    • If some vaccinations are exempt, a copy of the vaccination records must be provided to show other vaccinations.

Public Health staff can help decide if the required vaccines are completed if the schedule is different. Call us at 519-575-4400 for advice and help regarding vaccination status.

Entrance requirements for employees and volunteers

The Child Care and Early Years Act, requires that child care providers (operators) ensure their staff meet pre-employment health and vaccination requirements set by the local Medical Officer of Health. 

Employees and volunteers can get exemptions from vaccination requirements on medical or non-medical reasons.

All adults including employees, child care providers, volunteers and those who may reside on the premises must complete the "Child Care Centres Pre-Employment Health Form".

  • Use the Request a Form tool to receive a copy of the Child Care Centres Pre-Employment Health Form.
  • You must submit the completed form to the operator or designate before the first day of employment or attendance at the child care setting.
  • The operator or designate must store the forms at the child care setting or designated location.

Employees, providers and volunteers must notify operators or their designate regarding any changes in their health (e.g., medication, disease) or vaccination. This should be given to the operator or designate in writing and attached to the required Health Certificate.

Alternatively, a new “Child Care Centres Pre-Employment Health Form” form can be completed. For example, when there is a great deal of new information about someone's health or vaccination status. 

Tuberculosis skin testing requirements 

A new employee can self screen for Tuberculosis (TB), using the “Child Care Centres Pre-Employment Health Form.” 

  • Use the Request a Form tool for a copy of the Child Care Centres Pre-Employment Health Form. 

As a provider, if you are unsure if a new employee or volunteer should have a TB skin test prior to starting employment, please call Public Health at 519-575-4400.

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Preventing and managing illness in child care centres

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