1.3 Health in Early Years Legislation
Regulation
Medical officer of health directions, inspections
- (1) Every licensee shall ensure that any direction of a medical officer of health with respect to any matter that may affect the health or well-being of a child receiving child care at a child care centre the licensee operates or a premises where the licensee oversees the provision of home child care is carried out by the staff of the child care centre or home child care agency or by the child care provider at a home child care premises.
(Ontario Regulation 137/15, under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014. © King’s Printer for Ontario, 2015)
Educators are tasked with ensuring early years settings are reflective of healthy practices including health promotion, hygiene practices, illness management and prevention, mental health supports, and adhering to all health regulations provided by public health and mandated by the Ministry of Education. These various aspects will be discussed in multiple chapters to ensure students and new graduates are supported in their understanding of health related policies that are presented in a variety of early years and school age settings.
Resources and sample policies will be shared in this text to support educators in recognizing signs of illness, understanding steps to follow to manage illness in group settings, and learning procedures to prevent the spread of illness in early years settings. Pandemic planning and recovery will be embedded in infectious disease information. Educators in early years settings must be knowledgeable about policies and procedures necessary for preventing life threatening allergic reactions and for implementing medical plans for children. In collaboration with community partners educators are equipped with tools and training to engage in preventive health management.
