Summary of Alberta’s Early Learning and Child Care Regulation for facility-based care, for guidance only — primary staff ratios may be halved while children are sleeping (supervision must still be met), licensed day homes follow different limits, and regulations change. Staff certification rules (Child Development Worker/Supervisor) also apply. Always confirm with your licensing officer.
Behind the numbers
The full ratio table, nap-time halving and mixed-age rules are in our Alberta daycare ratios & group sizes guide. Planning a new centre or day home? See how to start a daycare in Alberta, then run the profitability calculator to see what a staffing change does to your bottom line.
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Start free — no card needed → See the live demoFrequently asked questions
- What is the infant ratio in Alberta daycares?
- Under 12 months: 1 staff per 3 infants, with a maximum group of 6. From 12 to under 19 months it is 1:4 with a maximum group of 8. Infant spaces are the most staff-intensive, which is why they are the scarcest and priciest.
- How many four-year-olds can one educator supervise in Alberta?
- Children from 4 years to kindergarten age run at 1:10 with a maximum group size of 20. Three-year-olds run 1:8 (group of 16), and school-age children (grade 1+) run 1:15 (group of 30).
- Can Alberta daycare ratios be reduced at nap time?
- Yes — primary staff ratios may be halved while children are sleeping, provided supervision requirements are still met. It is commonly used to schedule staff lunch breaks; plan and document it deliberately.