Childcare first aid in Quebec vs Ontario: which course fits your role?
Work in childcare? Start with your province and your role. In a licensed Quebec centre, covered childcare staff need first aid adapted to young children, including severe-allergy response. In Ontario, the listed licensed-childcare roles need Standard First Aid with infant and child CPR from a WSIB-recognized agency. Ask your employer for the exact certificate name before booking. (Quebec, ss. 19–20; Ontario, s. 58(2))
| Your question | Quebec | Ontario licensed child care |
|---|---|---|
| Whose training is specified? | A permit holder must ensure each childcare staff member in its centre/daycare holds the certificate; a separate rule addresses certain non-recognized home-care providers. | The licensee must ensure centre supervisors, employees who may count toward required ratios and home childcare providers hold the specified certificate. |
| What does the rule name? | First aid adapted to early childhood, at least eight hours, including severe-allergy response; or a six-hour update of that training. | Valid Standard First Aid including infant and child CPR, issued by a training agency recognized by WSIB. |
| What should I check? | A certificate dated no more than three years ago, plus the course content and the setting’s requirements. | The certificate, the infant-and-child CPR component and the current WSIB-approved provider or verified affiliate pathway. |
| ActionBafoly next step | See Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR B dates. | Request Intermediate/Standard First Aid and CPR Level C; choose the Standard-level course with infant and child CPR for the licensed role. |
The Quebec comparison draws on regulation ss. 6.6, 19–20; the Ontario comparison draws on s. 58(2) and licensing-manual Part 8.6.
Choosing in Quebec
For a CPE or permitted daycare, section 20 applies to childcare staff as defined in section 19. Section 6.6 concerns a different setting—certain non-recognized home childcare—rather than all home-based providers. Both provisions describe the early-childhood-adapted training, severe-allergy component and recent certificate. (Quebec regulation)
ActionBafoly’s in-person Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR B course has public classes on the first Sunday of the month starting in November 2026; use the live page for dates and prices. The Canadian Red Cross course description lists a minimum eight teaching hours and a six-hour renewal option. Before selecting a full course or renewal for work, confirm the specific certificate and severe-allergy component with your childcare organization. After successful completion and processing, the Canadian Red Cross, not ActionBafoly, issues the certificate.
Choosing in Ontario
Ontario’s regulation names Standard First Aid, not Emergency Child Care First Aid, for its listed licensed roles. Its licensing manual emphasizes proof of infant and child CPR as well as first aid. WSIB now calls Standard First Aid Intermediate First Aid in its updated program; the childcare regulation retains the Standard wording. (Ontario s. 58(2); WSIB First Aid Program)
ActionBafoly offers Canadian Red Cross Intermediate/Standard First Aid and CPR Level C by request. CPR-C covers adults, children and infants. The Canadian Red Cross issues the certificate and is a WSIB-approved training organization. Match the first aid level and CPR ages to the Ontario licensed-childcare requirement. Red Cross course description · WSIB program.
A three-step decision
- Identify your workplace and role. A Quebec centre employee, a non-recognized home provider and an Ontario ratio-counted centre employee do not all fall under the same provision.
- Match the certificate, not just the course theme. Check first-aid level, required CPR ages, severe-allergy content where applicable, issuer and current validity against the employer’s written requirement.
- Choose the next step. View Montreal childcare class dates, request Standard First Aid and CPR C, or ask about group training. ActionBafoly is Montreal-based and may serve selected Eastern Ontario communities for groups, subject to arrangements.
FAQs
Will Quebec’s Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR B automatically satisfy an Ontario licensed-childcare requirement?
No automatic equivalence follows from the childcare course name. Ontario specifies Standard First Aid with infant and child CPR through a WSIB-recognized training agency. Check the precise certificate and provider pathway with the licensee. (Ontario s. 58(2))
Is CPR C alone enough?
Not for the first-aid certificate described in either of these provisions. Ontario explicitly requires Standard First Aid including infant and child CPR; Quebec describes early-childhood-adapted first aid including severe-allergy response. (Ontario s. 58(2); Quebec s. 20)
Can a new Ontario employee wait three months?
Only a licensee may use the conditional provision in s. 58(4): prompt training must be required, the time needed must justify it and a certified person must remain close enough to respond whenever the person supervises children. Do not treat this as an automatic grace period. (Ontario s. 58(4))