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How many children per educator? Daycare ratios in Québec
The maximum number of children per educator by age, set by Québec's regulation on educational childcare services, and what it means for your child.
In short
In Québec, one educator may care for at most 5 children under 18 months, 8 children from 18 months to under 4 years, and 10 children aged 4 and over, under the Regulation respecting educational childcare.
The number of children in one educator's care is one of the best signs of a daycare's quality. In Québec it is governed by the Regulation respecting educational childcare, and it depends on the children's age.
How many children per educator, by age?
| Children's age | Children per educator, at most |
|---|---|
| Under 18 months | 5 |
| 18 months to under 4 years | 8 |
| 4 years and over | 10 |
These are maximums: a daycare can do better, never worse.
Do educators have to be qualified?
The regulation also requires part of the staff to be qualified, generally at least two out of three childcare staff members present with the children each day.
Why does the ratio matter?
Fewer children per adult means more attention for each child: for care, for language, for play. That is especially true in the nursery, where babies need to be held, fed and changed on their own schedule.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
At most 5 children under 18 months per educator.
At most 8 children from 18 months to under 4 years per educator.
At most 10 children aged 4 and over per educator.