Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Age
Newfoundland/Labrador
Licensed Child Care Centres:
http://www.gov.nl.ca/cyfs/publications/chil
dcare/childcare_centres_policies.pdf
Family Child Care:
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
http://assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/regulat
ions/rc050089.htm
Licensed Child Care Centres
Staff: Child Ratio
Infants (birth to 24
months)
Toddlers (24 months – 36
months)
Toddlers (24 months – 36
months)
4 ¾ - 7 years if attending
school
7 to 12 years
Maximum child care
program size
1:3
Maximum Group
Size
6
1:5
10
1:8
16
1:12
24
1:15
30
(a) children aged from birth to 12
months shall not be included in a
mixed
age
group;
and
(b)
notwithstanding subsection (1), in a
group of children made up of more
than one category of age group as set
out in subsection (1), commonly
known as a mixed age group of
children, (i) where the group consists
of children who are more than 12
months and less than 69 months of
age, the age of the youngest child
shall determine the child to staff ratio
and group size. (ii) where a group
consists of children ages 24 to 84
months, the maximum group size
shall be 14 with an adult to child ratio
of one to 7, but the group shall not
comprise more than 4 children ages
24 to 36 months. (iii) where the
group consists of children age 36 to
155 months, the maximum group size
shall be 16 with an adult to child ratio
of one to 8, but the group shall not
comprise more than four children
ages 84-155 months, and (iv) where
the group consists of children ages
57-155 months, the maximum group
size shall be 30 with an adult to child
ratio of one to 15, but the group shall
not comprise more than 12 children
age 57-84 months who are entitled to
attend school.
Page 1 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Variable
Permitted Numbers
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Care
No more than six in a mixed-age group,
including the provider’s own under age 6.
Maximum of three under age 3 or two
under age 2. If all children are under age
2, maximum of three.
First-aid certificate. Must complete an
orientation course in early childhood
education within the first year of
providing care.
Providers can be either linked with
agency or independently licensed. An
agency is required to do an annual
monitoring visit and additional monthly
visits for consultation. Home visitors
must have an ECCE background. Annual
licensing
visits
by
government
consultants to independently licensed
providers and several unscheduled visits
each year. Licensing officials are not
required to have an ECCE background.
Page 2 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Age
Prince Edward Island
Licensed Child Care and Family Child Care
(Day Care Home):
http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/regulations/pdf/
C&05G.pdf
Licensed Child Care Centres
Staff: Child Ratio
Infant (0 – 2 years)
Preschool (2 – 3 years)
Preschool (3 – 5 years)
School age (5 – 6 years)
Maximum child care
program size
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
Variable
Permitted Numbers
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
Maximum Group
Size
6
1:3
1:5
1:10
1:12
50 spaces per
license
*Early Years
Centres must have
a minimum of 40
spaces including
space for infants
and children with
special needs.
Allowances are
made for smaller
centres in rural
areas.
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Care
No more than seven children, including
the provider’s own under age 12.
Maximum of three children under age 2.
Current first-aid certificate and 30-hour
ECCE training program within the first
year of providing care
Annual licensing inspection by a
government
official
(policy,
not
statutory) who is not required to have an
ECCE background.
Page 3 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Age
Nova Scotia
Licensed Child Care and Family Child Care:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/regulations/regs
/dayregs.htm
Licensed Child Care Centres
Staff: Child Ratio
Infants (birth – 17
months)
Toddlers (18 – 35
months)
Preschool (36 months – 5
years) full day
Preschool (30 months – 5
years) part day
5 to 12 years
Mixed age groups (2 or
more age ranges
Variable
Permitted Numbers
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
1:4
Maximum Group
Size
10
1:6
18
1:8
24
1:12
24
1:15
30
Staff-child ratio and maximum group size
applicable for age range of the youngest
child
Child care: In regulated child care, there
can be no more than 25 children in a
room or “specified play area” at one
time.
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Care
No more than six under school age,
including the provider’s own. May have
eight if all, including the provider’s own,
are of school age.
None before starting to provide care.
Required to attend four hours of ECCE
workshops each year
Providers connected with an agency that
must do two home visits each month
(policy, not statutory). Home visitors
must have a two-year ECCE diploma or
an ECCE certificate and experience
(regulation). Agency required to provide
10 hours of workshops a year.
Page 4 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Age
New Brunswick
Licensed Child Care and Community Day
Care Homes:
www.gnb.ca/0000/ECHDPE/pdf/DayCareOp
eratorStandardsInterim.pdf
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
0 to 2 years
2-3 years
3-4 years
4-5 years
5-6 years
6-12 years
Licensed Child Care Centres
Staff: Child Ratio
Maximum Group
Size
9
10
14
20
24
30
1:3
1:5
1:7
1:10
1:20
1:15
Community Day Care Homes
Variable
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
No more than six children age 0-12,
Permitted Numbers
including the provider’s own. No more
than three under age 2, or five between
age 2 and 5. May have nine children,
including provider’s own, if all are over
age 6.
First-aid training
Educational
Requirements
Statutory requirement for an annual
Formal Provision for
licensing visit and spot checks by
Support
provincial licensing officials who are
required to have a B.A. in child studies,
an ECCE diploma or related qualification.
Page 5 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Age
Quebec1
1.Licensed Child Care and Family Child Care:
http://www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/fr/ministere/m
inistere/lois-et-reglements/services-degarde/Pages/index.aspx
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
Licensed Child Care Centres
Staff: Child Ratio
Birth-18 months
18 months to 4 years
4 years to less than 5 by
Sept. 30
5 years and up after Sept.
30
Maximum child care
program size
Variable
Permitted Numbers
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
1:5
1:8
1:10
Maximum Group
Size
24
1:20
Maximum number of children: 80
A building may not have more than two
facilities.
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
No more than six under age 9, including
the provider’s own. No more than two
under age 18 months.
First-aid certificate within six months of
starting to provide care, and completion
of a 45-hour ECCE training program
within the first two years (as of
September 1999). A minimum of six
hours professional development each
year.
Providers connected with an agency that
must do quarterly home visits. Home
visitors are not required to have an ECCE
qualification but must have three years
experience in direct services for children.
Agency expected but not required to
provide some training and support
services.
Page 6 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Age
Ontario1
1. Day Nurseries Act Regulations:
http://www.elaws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_re
gs_900262_e.htm
2. A minimum of one Registered early
childhood educator per group of children.
3. A group of 24 may be together with 2
qualified early childhood educators.
Family Child Care: http://www.elaws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_re
gs_900262_e.htm#BK13
Licensed Child Care Centres
Staff: Child Ratio
Under 18 months
18 - 30 months
31 months - 5 years3
44 - 67 months as of
August 31 of the year
56 - 67 months
68 months and up to and
including 12 years as of
August 31 of the year
Variable
Permitted Numbers
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
3:10
1:5
1:8
1:10
Maximum Group
Size2
10
15
16
20
1:12
1:15
24
30
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
No more than five children under age 12,
including the provider’s own under age 6.
Not more than two may be under age 2,
not more than three under age 3.
First-aid certificate, but only if working
with handicapped children. No ECCE
training requirements
Providers connected with an agency that
is required by legislation to make
quarterly home visits. Home visitors must
have an ECCE-related post-secondary
credential and at least two years’
experience working with children.
Regulatory requirement that agencies
have a training plan for each provider,
but no requirement for type, frequency
or length of training. Agencies expected
to provide some support services.
Network of child care resource programs.
Page 7 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Manitoba
Child Care Regulation. 53/2010.
http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/2010/05
3.pdf
Family Child Care:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childcare/elcc_se
rvices.html
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
Licensed Child Care Centres
Mixed Age Groups
Staff: Child Ratio
12 weeks-2 years
2-6 years
6-12 years
Separate Age Groups
12 weeks-1 year
1-2 years
2-3 years
3-4 years
4-5 years
5-6 years
Early Learning and Child
Care:
Variable
Permitted Numbers
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
1:4
1:8
1:15
Staff: Child Ratio
Maximum Group
Size
1:4
16
30
Maximum Group
Size
6
8
12
16
18
20
1:3
1:4
1:6
1:8
1:9
1:10
Maximum room
size is two groups of
children
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
No more than eight under age 12,
including the provider’s own. Maximum
of five children under age 6, and three
under age 2.
With two providers: no more than twelve
children under age 12, including the
providers’ own; no more than three may
be under age 2.
Must have a first-aid certificate that
includes CPR training relevant to the
group being cared for. No ECCE training
requirements.
Minimum of one licensing and three
drop-in visits per year (policy, not
statutory) by a government licensing
official who must have an ECCE III
certificate and child care experience.
Page 8 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Age
Saskatchewan1
1 Licensed Child Care and Family Child Care:
http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/elcc/licens
eemanual
http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/child-careregs/part1/6-1-2-restriction-on-numbersfamily/
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
Licensed Child Care Centres
Staff: Child Ratio
Infants (6 weeks up to 18
months)
Toddlers (18 – 30
months)
Preschool (30 months to
5 years)
School-age
Maximum child care
centre size
Variable
Permitted Numbers
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
1:3
Maximum Group
Size
6
1:5
10
1:10
20
1:15
30
90 spaces with a maximum 12 infant
spaces in a centre.
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
No more than eight under age 13,
including the provider’s own. No more
than five under age 6; of these, only two
can be under age 30 months.
Must have first-aid certificate and attend
an orientation session with a government
program consultant. Expected to attend
two
professional
development
workshops each licensing year (policy,
not regulation).
Minimum of three visits a year by a
government program consultant (policy,
not statutory) who is not required to
have an ECCE background.
Page 9 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Age
Alberta1
Child Care Licensing Regulation
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?page=2
008_143.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=978
0779759323&display=ht
Family Child Care:
http://earlyyearsstudy.ca/media/uploads/p
rofiles/eys3_profile_ab_en_final.pdf and
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
Licensed Child Care Centres
Staff: Child Ratio
Maximum Group
Size
Child Care Programs
Under 12 months
1:3
6
12 – under 19 months
1:4
8
19 months – under 3
1:6
12
years
3 – under 4.5 years
1:8
16
4.5 years and older
1:10
20
Out-of –School-Care-Program
Kindergarten children
1:10
20
Children attending grades
1:15
30
1 and higher
Pre-school Program
19 months – under 3
1:6
years
3 years and older
1:12
Family Child Care
Variable
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
No more than 10 children, including the
Permitted Numbers
license holder’s own children. A
maximum of 3 children may be under 3
and a maximum of 2 may be under two.
None
Educational
Requirements
Providers connected with an agency that
Formal Provision for
is expected to visit once a month (not a
Support
statutory requirement and may change
with the transfer to regional children’s
authorities in 1999). Home visitor not
required to have an ECCE background.
Agency expected, but not required, to
provide support services.
Page 10 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
British Columbia
Licensed Child Care :
http://earlyyearsstudy.ca/media/uploads/p
rofiles/eys3_profile_bc_en_final.pdf
http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_
new/document/ID/freeside/332_2007#sect
ion34
Licensed Child Care Centres
Child Care Program
Age
In-Home Multi-Age Child
Care
Multi-Age Child Care
Group Child Care
Group Child Care
Group Child Care
Under 36 months
30 months to
school age
School age
Family Child Care:
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_
new/document/ID/freeside/332_2007#sect
ion34
Licensed Preschool
Variable
Permitted Numbers
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
Maximum Group
Size
8 children
8 children
12
25 children
20 if children
in Kindergarten
and Grade One
are enrolled, 25 if
Grade Two or
above only
20 children
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
7 children including the provider’s own.
No more than 5 preschoolers, three
under age three or 1 under age one.
Providers must have first-aid certificate;
no ECCE training required.
Annual licensing visit (policy, not
statutory requirement) by a licensing
official who is not required to have an
ECCE background.
Child care
programs.
resource
and
referral
Page 11 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Variable
Permitted Numbers
Yukon
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
No more than eight, including the
provider’s own under age 6. Maximum of
four infants, or no more than six preschool children, with a maximum of three
infants. With two providers: may add
four school-age children.
First-aid certificate. Completion of a 60hour ECCE course, family child care
course or equivalent within the first year
of providing care (policy, not regulation)
Policy of one annual inspection and four
or five unannounced spot checks per
year by a government Child Care
Coordinator who is required to have a
background in early childhood education.
Page 12 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Variable
Permitted Numbers
Northwest Territories
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resour
ces/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
Family Child Care
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
No more than eight under age 12,
including the provider’s own. Maximum
of six ages 5 or under, maximum of three
under age 3, and maximum of two under
age 2.
First-aid certificate.
Educational
Requirements
Formal Provision for
Support
Annual visits by a licensing official who is
required to have a two-year ECCE
diploma and four years child care
experience.
Page 13 of 14
Provincial/Territorial Jurisdictions Regarding Adult to Child Ratio for Licensed Child Care
Centres and Licensed Family Child Care Centres
Province / Territory
Age
Nunavut
Licensed Child Care and Community Day
Care Homes:
http://childcarecanada.org/sites/default/fil
es/ECEC08_NU.pdf
Licensed Child Care Centres
Staff: Child Ratio
0-12 months
13-24 months
25-35 months
3 years
4 years
5-11 years
Maximum Group
Size
6
8
12
16
18
20
1:3
1:4
1:6
1:8
1:9
1:10
Community Day Care Homes
Variable
Requirements for Regulated Child Care
Maximum of eight children under 12
Permitted Numbers
years (including the provider’s children).
No more than six of the eight children
may be five years or under, no more than
three children may be under three years,
and no more than two children may be
under two years.
Must be at least 19 years of age, have an
Educational
awareness
of
early
childhood
Requirements
development theory, have immunizations up to date, provide a doctor’s note
stating good health, have a first-aid
certificate, submit to a RCMP Security
Clearance, and represent the cultural
back- ground of the children.
Homes are visited at least once a year by
Formal Provision for
staff from the Early Childhood Program
Support
and a representative from each of the
Public Health Department and the Fire
Marshall’s office.
Reference List
McCain, M.N., Mustard, J.F. & McCuaig, K. (2011). Early Years Study 3. Retrieved from
http://earlyyearsstudy.ca/en/provincialterritorial-profiles/
Doherty, G., Lero, S.D., Goelman, H., Tougas, J. & LaGrange, A. (2000). You Bet I Care! Caring and Early
Learning Environments: Quality in Regulated Family Child Care Across Canada. Guelph: Ontario.
Centre for Families, Work and Well-Being. Retrieved from
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/cms/resources/files/5/ybic_report_3.pdf
Compiled by Iris Liu, Atkinson Centre, OISE/George Brown College
Page 14 of 14