{"id":1363,"date":"2025-07-07T13:31:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T17:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guide.cophan.org\/?post_type=fiche&p=1363"},"modified":"2025-10-22T15:26:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T19:26:52","slug":"childcare-centres","status":"publish","type":"fiche","link":"https:\/\/guide.cophan.org\/en\/thematic-fact-sheets\/childcare-centres\/","title":{"rendered":"Childcare centres"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n
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What is inclusive childcare?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inclusive childcare is an environment where all children, educators and parents are welcomed and respected regardless of their needs, abilities or personal circumstances. In addition to providing a suitable physical setting, these services support the development of every child in a safe environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inclusiveness is based on a holistic approach to create a community where diversity is celebrated and every child feels valued. This includes support for learning and development through various means of representation, expression and commitment. The seven principles of inclusive design\u2014equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and space for approach and use\u2014can guide the design of this environment to ensure optimal accessibility and inclusiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All children have the right to learn, play and discover […]. Their integration into the social and educational environment is essential as this can help them to socialize and learn many different social skills. It also develops successful personal relationships through their practice and inclusion in all educational activities, play and discovery with ordinary children.[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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Overview of the situation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While there has been significant research on educational programs and the inclusion of children in daycare, few studies actually address environments that meet the needs and abilities of each child. There is still room for improvement. Mandatory accessibility standards in built environments are a good starting point, but the optimal solution would be to create spaces that meet the needs of all their users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Qu\u00e9bec, public childcare services, such as subsidized CPEs and childcare centres, must comply with the requirements of the Minist\u00e8re de la Famille<\/a>. This requires daycare owners to navigate between different regulations to provide inclusive environments that work for everyone.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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Standards and obligations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Currently, standards exist to support the accessibility of new construction in Qu\u00e9bec, but they do not specifically take into account children or people of small stature. However, some guides and standards incorporate aspects related to children. Here\u2019s an overview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\r\n At the federal level<\/a>\r\n <\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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