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Infant Daycare Edmonton · Viking · Grande Prairie
🍼 Ages 12 – 18 Months
Infant Care Program
(12 to 18 Months)
For more than two decades, we’ve helped families begin their child care journey. St. Francis offers licensed infant daycare in Edmonton, Viking, and Grande Prairie for babies 12 to 18 months.
👬 1:3 Ratio
📍 3 Centres
🏠 Dedicated Infant Rooms
A Safe, Nurturing Start
Leaving your baby with someone else for the first time is a major decision. We want to make it feel as safe as possible.
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Alberta’s Strict Caregiver Ratio
Alberta requires one educator per four children aged 13 to 18 months, and we meet that ratio in every infant room. On busier days, we often staff above the ratio so each baby gets attentive, individualized care.
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Safe Sleep, Every Time
Every infant educator is trained in current safe sleep practices: babies should be on their backs, in their own crib, in a cleared space, with regular visual checks. We follow Alberta’s licensing requirements and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s safe sleep guidelines.
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Dedicated Infant Rooms
Infants do not share space with toddlers or older children. Each centre has a separate infant room with cribs, change stations, and feeding areas. Surfaces are sanitized according to a documented schedule, and every adult who enters washes their hands first.
What a Day Looks Like
A baby’s day at St. Francis follows their rhythm, not a strict timetable. Routines flex around feeding, naps, and curiosity.
Sample Day for a 14-Month-Old
| 7:00 AM | Drop-off, free play, and quiet time |
| 8:00 AM | Morning snack |
| 8:30 AM | Sensory play, tummy time, music |
| 10:00 AM | Outdoor stroller walk (weather permitting) |
| 11:00 AM | Lunch |
| 12:00 PM | Nap time |
| 2:30 PM | Wake, snack, free play |
| 3:30 PM | Story time and small-group activity |
| 4:30 PM | Outdoor or active play |
| 5:30 PM | Pickup window opens |
Schedules adjust for younger infants who still nap multiple times a day.
Sensory and Movement Play
Infants explore through their senses — textures, sounds, and gentle movement activities each day. Tummy time, soft balls, water play, and stacking toys are part of the regular rotation.
Feeding and Nap Routines
Parents share their child’s preferred feeding and nap schedule at intake. We provide morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack at no extra cost. Bottles, breast milk, and special formulas are stored and warmed in accordance with Alberta’s food safety rules.
How We Support Development
Twelve to eighteen months is one of the busiest stretches of human development. We track milestones and share what we see.
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Daily Communication with Parents
You will hear from us every day about how your baby ate, slept, and what they tried. Most centres use written daily reports, in-person handoffs at pickup, and photo updates on request.
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Milestone Tracking
Educators note language, motor, and social milestones throughout the year. New words, new steps, and new skills are recorded as they happen. We meet with parents formally each quarter to review progress and adjust routines as needed.
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Open-Door Policy
Parents are welcome to drop in any time during operating hours. If you want to visit on a lunch break or call to check in, just ask. There is no need for an appointment, and no question is too small.
Our Infant Care Team
The people who care for your baby are the most important part of any infant program. Here is what we look for and require.
By the Numbers
50+
Hours of paid professional development per educator, per year — built into the work week
15+
Years experience for several of our infant educators at St. Francis
100%
Of infant educators hold ECE credentials plus CPR & First Aid with infant focus
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Qualifications and Training
Every infant educator holds post-secondary credentials in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, plus current CPR and Standard First Aid with an infant focus.
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Experienced with Babies
Many of our infant educators have a decade or more of experience caring for babies, and several have been with St. Francis for over fifteen years.
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Ongoing Professional Development
Staff complete a minimum of 50 hours of paid professional development each year, covering safe sleep refreshers, language development, and trauma-informed care. Training is built into the work week.
Find Infant Daycare in Edmonton, Viking, & Grande Prairie
Infant care is offered at three of our five centres. Each has its own director, dedicated infant room, and full team.
Viking
Viking, AB
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5119 50 Street
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6:45 AM – 5 PM
Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie, AB
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Unit 101, 11201 100 Ave
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When your baby is ready for the next stage, our Toddler Program picks up at 18 months. See our full Programs hub for everything we offer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is my 12-month-old ready for daycare?
Most 12-month-olds adjust within a few weeks. We offer phased starts and flexible support based on your child’s comfort level.
What is the caregiver-to-infant ratio?
Alberta requires one educator per four children aged 13–18 months. We maintain those ratios and keep group sizes small for attentive care.
Do you follow safe sleep guidelines?
Yes. All infant educators are trained in safe sleep practices and infant first aid. We follow Alberta licensing requirements and the Public Health Agency of Canada safe sleep guidelines.
How do you handle feeding schedules?
At intake, we review your baby’s feeding schedule, preferences, and allergies. Bottles, breast milk, formula, and solids are handled safely and updated as your baby grows.
Visit Our Infant Program
The best way to see whether our infant care is right for your family is to walk through one of our centres. Tours run year-round and take about 30 minutes.
We are a Canadian family-owned daycare, which means the same family that started St. Francis 25 years ago still oversees how every infant is cared for today. Ready to enroll? Download the registration paperwork from our Parents Zone.
Have a question first? Contact us at Info@stfrancisdaycare.ca or call your nearest centre. We will get back to you within one business day.
