New incident reporting rule comes into effect for child-care providers June 1

Alberta child-care facilities will soon be subject to a new rule about notifying families about potentially criminal incidents in a timely manner.

Effective June 1, facilities must post on-site notices of high-risk and potentially criminal incidents within one business day of an incident being reported.

A notice will also be posted to the province’s website with the program name and incident report date.

“We’ve heard from parents that they want clearer, more timely information about serious incidents, and this change is an important first step. While these incidents are rare, we will continue strengthening how we keep parents informed and support safe, high-quality care,” said Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides in a statement on Friday.

The change applies to licensed providers, facility-based providers, but not family day homes.

Currently, licensed programs are only required to notify families whose child or children were directly affected.

The change is one of many to be made to increase transparency and communication about serious incidents at Alberta child-care facilities following a June 2025 case in Edmonton. Families at Willowbrae Academy Millcreek were not notified of an allegation involving a staff member and a child for weeks, even as an arrest warrant was issued.

The Alberta government said it is working with care providers, law enforcement, and legal and privacy experts to develop the future policies.