COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.
- Public health restrictions: Alberta entered Step 2 on March 1.
- Book your vaccine: Albertans 5+ can get it now. Get third dose when eligible.
Federal-provincial child care agreement
On November 15, 2021, the Alberta and federal governments announced an agreement to reduce child care fees by an average of 50% in early 2022 and to provide $10 per day fees, on average, by 2026. Learn more about this historic agreement.
COVID-19 update
Child care operators should continue following applicable COVID guidelines and public health orders issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Guidance is now available for Licensed Child Care Centres and Family Day Homes.
Licensed facility-based child care
- Licensed facility-based child care providers can apply:
- to the rapid testing program for employers and service providers to receive free rapid test kits for use in their centre-based COVID-19 screening program
- for free personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Guidance for Licensed Child Care Centres (Daycares and Out-of-School Care)
- Alberta Biz Connect – additional workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 operate safely
- See all public health orders
Home-based child care
Licensed home-based child care
- Family day home educators operating under licensed agencies can offer child care for up to 6 children not including their own.
- Licensed home-based child care agencies can apply:
- to the rapid testing program for employers and service providers to receive free rapid test kits for use in their centre-based COVID-19 screening program.
- for free personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Guidance for family day homes under licensed agencies and group family child care programs
- See all public health orders
Unlicensed child care
- Unlicensed child care programs can provide child care for up to 6 children, not including their own, at any given time. We do not monitor unlicensed or private child care arrangements but can issue closures if they are over this limit.
- Unlicensed child care programs can apply to the rapid testing program for employers and service providers to receive free rapid test kits for use in their centre-based COVID-19 screening program.
- Unlicensed child care operators must follow all public health measures, and are encouraged to follow the child care guidance where appropriate.
- See all public health orders
Enhanced sanitization
- Enhanced sanitation practices should be used by all home-based child care providers, whether they are licensed or unlicensed:
- routinely clean and disinfect any surface that people regularly touch
- handwashing facilities or hand sanitizer must be available to children
- visitors and children should not enter if they are feeling unwell
- visitors should wash their hands frequently
Find child care
- If you are in need of child care, see more information on finding and choosing child care.
- You can also find licensed child care in your area by:
- calling Child Care Connect toll free at 1-844-644-5165
- accessing the online child care lookup tool
- contacting the list of licensed family day home agencies (PDF, 370 KB)
Was this page helpful?
You will not receive a reply. Do not enter any personal information such as telephone numbers, addresses, or emails.
Your submissions are monitored by our web team and are used to help improve the experience on Alberta.ca. If you require a response, please go to our Contact page.