Parents Demand Action as Daycare Classrooms Suffer from Heat

Parents in Ontario are voicing concerns over extreme heat in daycare classrooms, urging provincial authorities to establish maximum temperature standards. Many children are experiencing discomfort and health issues due to inadequate cooling facilities in child-care centres.

Lyndsay MacKay, a mother from Toronto, highlighted the situation at her son’s daycare, located within a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) facility. She described staff’s efforts to keep children cool, including having them wear only diapers. “The babies seem to have it the worst; their room is the hottest,” MacKay stated. She noted that her 18-month-old son has suffered from heat rash throughout the summer.

The lack of functional central air conditioning has exacerbated the situation. MacKay pointed out that portable air conditioners installed during a heat wave in July have not sufficiently cooled the rooms. “I shouldn’t have to feel that way. I pay for child care,” she emphasized, calling for government intervention to address the issue.

Another parent, Robin Bennett, echoed these concerns regarding her daughter’s daycare at Parkdale Child Care Centre, also located in a TDSB school. “The daycare is fantastic, but the heat is a significant issue,” Bennett remarked. She recounted an instance when the classroom temperature reached 27 degrees Celsius by 9 a.m., climbing to 30 degrees by late afternoon. Parents took action by placing a thermometer in the classroom, which prompted a response from Toronto Public Health (TPH) recommending the installation of a portable air conditioning unit. However, logistical issues prevented this from happening.

In a statement, TPH clarified that while it does not set specific requirements for daycare air conditioning, it provides guidance for high temperatures. The responsibility for installing air conditioning lies primarily with school boards and the Ministry of Education. Bennett described the response from the ministry as “disheartening.”

“The Child Care and Early Years Act does not set out specific requirements related to air conditioning,” the ministry’s “child care help desk” stated. This lack of regulation leaves parents concerned about the safety and comfort of their children. Bennett insisted that clear standards must be established to protect children from extreme heat.

Laura Walton, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, emphasized the importance of safe working environments for daycare staff. “Children don’t have the ability to refuse to go to daycare,” she noted, highlighting the need for regulations that ensure both workers and children are safeguarded against heat stress.

Carolyn Ferns, public policy coordinator with the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, suggested that maximum temperature guidelines would provide clarity on when action must be taken. “Child-care centres operate year-round, and if they don’t have sufficient air conditioning, we are talking about babies and toddlers for whom hot weather can be dangerous,” she explained.

Research conducted by the Canadian Environmental Law Association earlier this year recommended that the province amend regulations to include a maximum indoor temperature standard of 26 degrees Celsius for all child-care facilities.

The TDSB directed inquiries regarding air conditioning to the Ministry of Education. As of June 2023, the provincial government appointed a supervisor to oversee the board following governance issues. Minister of Education Paul Calandra’s office did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.

As parents continue to advocate for better conditions, the issue of heat in daycare centres remains a pressing concern. Many families are left feeling helpless as they navigate the challenges of ensuring their children’s safety and comfort during extreme weather conditions.