Published September 8, 2026 by Orbit Facility Services
Outdoor play spaces at licensed child care centres in Ontario must meet CAN/CSA-Z614, Children’s playspaces and equipment. The child care centre licensing manual sets out three layers of inspection, plus a repair log.
The three layers
- Daily inspections. There must be written evidence that daily checks look for defects or emerging problems. Staff usually do these before children go outside.
- Monthly inspections. A more detailed check, with results and actions taken recorded.
- Annual inspection. A comprehensive annual written report, including the results of any protective surfacing testing.
Who can do the annual inspection?
For playgrounds with fixed structures, the annual inspection must be done by a certified playground inspector: someone with current Canadian Playground Safety Institute certification who is a third party and carries professional errors and omissions insurance. Licensees with simple fenced yards and no fixed structures may complete the annual inspection themselves.
The repair log
There must also be written evidence of a playground repair log. This is where deficiencies found in daily, monthly and annual checks get recorded, along with what was done and when.
Common deficiencies
- Protective surfacing compacted or displaced under slides and swings
- Loose or missing fasteners and caps
- Damaged fencing or gates that don’t self-close
- Drainage problems that leave surfacing frozen or waterlogged
How we handle it
We book the annual inspection with a certified inspector, attend it, and repair the findings: surfacing top-ups, hardware, fencing and gates. Every repair goes in the log with photos, so the record is complete when your program advisor visits.
This article is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Your licence conditions and program advisor set the requirements for your centre.
Source: Government of Ontario, Child care centre licensing manual, Part 4: Building, equipment and playground.