Safe child-staff ratio and group size for child care settings
The number of children per adult care provider and the total group size are two important factors that indicate the quality and safety of a child care setting. The recommended guidelines for these factors vary by age.
Each province has standards for these factors that vary by age and facility type. For example, the standards in British Columbia include a specific ratio of staff to children present in the facility.
- In a group daycare facility, for children under the age of 36 months, each group of:
- 4 or fewer children, one infant and toddler educator is required.
- 5 to 8 children, one infant and toddler educator and one early childhood educator are required.
- 9 to 12 children, one infant and toddler educator, one early childhood educator, and one assistant are required.
- In a group daycare facility, for children age 30 months to school age, each group of:
- 8 or fewer children, one early childhood educator is required.
- 9 to 16 children, one early childhood educator and one assistant are required.
- 17 to 25 children, one early childhood educator and two assistants are required.
- In a preschool facility, for children age 30 months to school age, each group of:
- 15 or fewer children, one early childhood educator is required.
- 16 to 20 children, one early childhood educator and one assistant are required.
For more information, see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: February 21, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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