Introduction 

“When designing a new early childhood centre or modifying or retrofitting an existing one, it is important not to use the regulations as the basis of your design, but instead to think in terms of the experiences, activities and learning that will take place there.” (The Education Hub, 2020)

The expansion of early learning and child care (ELCC) in Canada is at a pivotal moment. Under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) Agreements, launched in 2021, the federal and provincial territorial governments have committed to making child care more accessible for children and families. As affordability increases, demand for new spaces and centres has surged.

While expansion is a key priority of the CWELCC provincial territorial action plans, little attention has been given to the quality of physical spaces and centres being created. The design and infrastructure of child care facilities directly impact the well-being of children and staff. However, current regulations often reflect outdated standards that prioritize minimum compliance rather than high-quality learning environments.