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Finding infant and toddler daycare in Edmonton
Why baby spots are hard to find, what they cost, how many children each caregiver can have, and how to get on the right waitlists in Edmonton and St. Albert.
| Child’s age | Children per staff member | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 months | 3 | 6 |
| 12 to 19 months | 4 | 8 |
| 19 months to 3 years | 6 | 12 |
| 3 to 4 years | 8 | 16 |
| 4 years and older | 10 | 20 |
Infant and toddler spots are usually the hardest to find. One caregiver can look after only three babies under 12 months, so a centre’s infant room holds just a few children, and families often wait months. Knowing the rules and starting early makes a big difference. These ratios come from Alberta’s childcare regulations.
What does infant daycare cost in Edmonton?
The same as for older children. At a licensed daycare or family day home that receives Alberta’s Affordability Grant, full-time care is a flat $326.25 a month (about $15 a day) and part-time is $230 a month, from birth up to kindergarten age. A private day home sets its own price. Our childcare costs guide has the details.
Day home or daycare for a baby?
Many families like a day home for a baby: a small group and one familiar caregiver. A licensed family day home can care for up to six children, with no more than two under age 2 and no more than three under age 3. A daycare centre has a dedicated infant room with its own staff and backup when someone is sick. Both can be a great start. See day home vs daycare for a side-by-side comparison.
When should you start looking?
- Start several months before you need care. Many families begin during parental leave or earlier.
- Join more than one waitlist. Waitlists are usually free, and a spot can open with little notice.
- Ask each program the youngest age it takes. Not every daycare centre has an infant room.
- Check back with your top choices every few weeks, so they know you are still interested.
Questions to ask when you tour
- How many babies or toddlers are in the room, and with how many staff?
- How do naps, feeding and diapering work, and how will you tell me about my child’s day?
- Who covers when my child’s caregiver is sick or on holiday?
- What does the monthly fee include, and is it the $326.25 flat fee?
- Can I see where the children sleep and play?
Finding a spot near you
TinyCare Connect maps the licensed daycares and day homes in Edmonton and St. Albert from Alberta’s registry. The registry doesn’t say which ages each program takes, so call to ask about infant and toddler spots. Providers who have claimed their listing post their own openings.
Common questions
How much is infant daycare in Edmonton?
At a licensed daycare or family day home receiving Alberta’s Affordability Grant, infant care costs the same flat fee as other ages up to kindergarten: $326.25 a month full-time (about $15 a day) or $230 part-time. Private day homes set their own price.
What is the staff ratio for infants in Alberta daycares?
One staff member for every three infants under 12 months, in groups of no more than six. For 12 to 19 months it is one to four (groups up to eight), and for 19 months to 3 years it is one to six (groups up to 12).
How many babies can a day home care for in Alberta?
A licensed family day home can have no more than two children under 2 and three children under 3, within its overall limit of six children, not counting the provider’s own.
When should I start looking for infant daycare?
Several months before you need it. Infant rooms are small, so many families join more than one waitlist early, often during parental leave or before.
Do all Edmonton daycares take infants?
No. Not every daycare centre has an infant room, and some start at 12 or 19 months. Ask each program the youngest age it accepts.
What age is toddler daycare?
Programs name their rooms differently, but toddler rooms usually cover roughly 19 months to 3 years, the age group Alberta’s rules set at one staff member for every six children. Ask each program what ages its rooms cover.
TinyCare Connect is a connector, not a childcare agency. Listings come from public records; we don't verify, endorse, or guarantee any provider. Always do your own due diligence before making childcare decisions.