Staff-to-Child Ratios

To ensure the highest standard of care and safety, Casper’s Early Learning Co-operative Centre follows strict staff-to-child ratios as set out by provincial regulations. These ratios are designed to provide each child with the attention, supervision, and support they need for their age and stage of development.

• Infants (6 weeks – 18 months): 1 staff member for every 3 infants

• Toddlers (18 months – 30 months): 1 staff member for every 5 toddlers

• Preschoolers (30 months – 6 years): 1 staff member for every 10 preschoolers

• School Age (6 – 12 years): 1 staff member for every 15 school-age children

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Points System for Ratios
Our ratios are also managed through a points system to ensure staff are not over capacity. Each staff member is permitted a total of 15 points at a time. The points assigned to each child are based on the level of supervision and care required for their age group:

• Infants: 5 points each

• Toddlers: 3 points each

• Preschoolers: 1.5 points each

• School Age: 1 point each

For example, a staff member could care for 3 infants (3 × 5 points = 15 points) or a combination such as 1 infant (5 points), 2 toddlers (2 × 3 points = 6 points), and 2 preschoolers (2 × 1.5 points = 3 points), totaling 14 points. This system ensures we balance group sizes with the developmental needs of the children.

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Adjusted Ratios for Excursions and Field Trips
When children are taken on excursions, field trips, or activities outside the centre, safety requirements become even more stringent. In these situations, the points limit per staff member is reduced from 15 points to 10 points to provide increased supervision in unfamiliar or less controlled environments. This adjustment helps ensure children are kept safe and closely monitored at all times when outside the centre.

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This careful approach to ratios ensures that every child receives quality attention and care, while maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment both inside and outside the facility.