The Alberta government is proposing changes to the Early Learning and Childcare Act to require daycares to notify parents quickly about serious incidents. The proposed amendments would mandate daycare operators to inform parents within 24 hours of any serious incident, including injuries or suspected abuse.
The bill would define serious incidents as any event that results in harm to a child, such as physical injury, emotional distress, or suspected neglect. Daycares would be required to provide detailed written reports to parents, including the nature of the incident and steps taken to address it.
This proposal follows growing public concern over transparency in early childhood education settings. In 2023, a series of incidents in Alberta led to calls for stricter oversight. The government has also launched a review of child protection protocols in daycare facilities. The new rules would apply to all licensed daycares in the province.
