Ontarios Child Care System Relying on Underqualified Workers as It Faces Retention Crisis, New Report Says

Children play at a daycare centre in Stouffville, Ont., on May 2, 2025. The Canadian Press/Nathan DenetteOntario’s child-care system is increasingly relying on underqualified staff for licensed daycare centres as it faces a shortage in trained professionals, according to a new industry analysis.The report, Analysis of Director Approvals in Ontario’s Licensed Child Care System (2021 to 2025), published by non-profit Building Blocks for Child Care, looked at data obtained through freedom of information requests focused on the use of director approvals, which are permits that allow individuals who are not registered early childhood educators to work in child care centres.