The new safety measures proposed by Ontario for daycare centers are a positive step, but the province should be careful not to apply a “blanket” solution considering the variety of programs available, according to a coalition representing hundreds of child-care facilities.
This announcement comes after a tragic incident on Wednesday when a vehicle crashed into a Richmond Hill daycare during pickup time, resulting in the death of a toddler and injuries to six young children and three adults.
York Regional Police reported on Friday that two of the injured children remained in critical condition. A 70-year-old man faces charges for dangerous driving; authorities do not believe it was intentional.
Education Minister Paul Calandra stated that the government is considering legislative changes to limit parking near windows and outside walls of daycare facilities, along with mandating higher curbs and bollards in certain locations.
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Carolyn Ferns, policy co-ordinator for the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, expressed that this tragedy has left the community devastated and providers have already been thinking about how to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
![Click to play video: 'Family of 17-month-old killed in Richmond Hill daycare crash speaks out, calling for change']()
2:18 Family of 17-month-old killed in Richmond Hill daycare crash speaks out, calling for change
Ferns noted that different daycares may require different safety strategies. For some centers, removing parking spots outside their windows might be effective; while others could benefit from elevated curbs or installing bollards instead.
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She emphasized that it’s crucial for the ministry to determine what adjustments are “appropriate” across various types of childcare settings.
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“And we need to make sure that the rules make sense given the different kinds of settings that we see in Ontario,” she said.
Additionally, Ferns highlighted that any new requirements should include financial assistance.
Daycares operate with fixed revenue streams which means they can’t afford necessary upgrades without support, she explained.
“We would need, you know, some funding and support for child-care programs to be able to implement this rule in settings across the board,” said Ferns.
Apart from this, she added any new regulations should also consider safety issues related to busy roads near daycares.
Sufficient space should exist between streets and buildings; plus bollards should be mandatory in certain areas.
If Ontario plans on increasing child-care spaces as well as introducing new facilities, fresh design guidelines must also be developed accordingly as per her suggestion.
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For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. “I think it’s good to see that the government is also thinking about that,” she said in an interview Friday. “Hopefully this is a time where, you know, everybody – the government, child care operators – will be reflecting on this and thinking … what can we do now to help make sure children are safe?”
2:18 Family of 17-month-old killed in Richmond Hill daycare crash speaks out, calling for change
Ferns noted that different daycares may require different safety strategies. For some centers, removing parking spots outside their windows might be effective; while others could benefit from elevated curbs or installing bollards instead.
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She emphasized that it’s crucial for the ministry to determine what adjustments are “appropriate” across various types of childcare settings.
Story continues below
“And we need to make sure that the rules make sense given the different kinds of settings that we see in Ontario,” she said.
Additionally, Ferns highlighted that any new requirements should include financial assistance.
Daycares operate with fixed revenue streams which means they can’t afford necessary upgrades without support, she explained.
“We would need, you know, some funding and support for child-care programs to be able to implement this rule in settings across the board,” said Ferns.
Apart from this, she added any new regulations should also consider safety issues related to busy roads near daycares.
Sufficient space should exist between streets and buildings; plus bollards should be mandatory in certain areas.
If Ontario plans on increasing child-care spaces as well as introducing new facilities, fresh design guidelines must also be developed accordingly as per her suggestion.
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