Daycare construction in Calgary starts with arithmetic. Alberta's child care licensing sets a minimum of 3 square metres of indoor play space per child, so the number of children you can license is decided by the floor area of the play rooms, not the size of the unit. Add the outdoor play area, child-sized washrooms, a kitchen, a nap area and the building code's rules for a space full of young children, and the layout is mostly set before the design begins. Run the numbers before you sign a lease.
Indoor space per child
The 3 square metres per child counts only usable play space. Washrooms, the kitchen, offices, storage, hallways and cubby areas do not count. A unit that seems large enough on paper can license far fewer children once those rooms are drawn in. We lay out the rooms early to show how many children a space can actually hold, by age group, because that number drives the business plan.
Different age groups have different staff ratios and often need separate rooms: infants, toddlers and preschoolers each have their own space, with infant rooms needing a sleep area and a diaper change station with a sink.
Outdoor play space
Licensing also expects an outdoor play area, or an approved exemption. The play area has to be safe, fenced and secure, and close enough for children to reach without crossing a parking lot. In a retail plaza that can be the deciding factor: a unit with no outdoor space nearby either needs the exemption or will not work.
Where there is space, we build the play area with a secure fence and gate, safety surfacing under play equipment, shade and drainage that does not leave the yard as a mud pit every spring.
Washrooms, sinks and the kitchen
Children's washrooms have child-height toilets and sinks, low partitions so staff can supervise, and a diaper change station with a sink in infant and toddler areas. Hand sinks in the play rooms help with hygiene. All of it means plumbing in more places than a typical commercial unit has, and in an existing building that often means trenching the slab.
If the daycare prepares meals, the kitchen needs to meet Alberta Health Services standards for a food establishment, with the plans reviewed before construction. A daycare that serves only snacks or food brought from home has simpler needs.
Building code and fire safety
A daycare is a care occupancy or an assembly occupancy under the building code, depending on its size and the ages of the children. Either way it brings stricter rules than retail or office space: exits that young children can use, fire alarm, sometimes sprinklers, and fire separations from neighbouring units. Ground-floor space with direct exits is the simplest place to start. Changing a retail or office unit to a daycare is a change of use, and in Calgary that means a Change of Use development permit as well as a building permit.
Grants and timelines
Alberta's Building Blocks program has offered capital grants of up to $30,000 per new child care space to help build new spaces. Programs change, so check the current terms before you count on the money, and make sure your design and timeline fit the program's conditions.
A daycare project typically takes 6 to 12 months from design to licensing. The development permit, the building permit, construction, and then the licensing inspection all happen in sequence, and licensing cannot start until the space is built.
What a daycare costs
| Project | Planning range (as of 2026, varies by scope) |
|---|---|
| Daycare facility | $250–425 per sq ft |
The range moves with the starting point, the amount of plumbing for washrooms and sinks, the kitchen, the outdoor play area and any code upgrades triggered by the change of use. For general advice on leasing a commercial unit, see our tenant improvement page.
Choosing a space for a daycare
The best daycare spaces are on the ground floor with direct exits, have plenty of natural light, sit next to a space that can become a secure outdoor play area, and are away from hazards such as busy drive-thrus or loading docks. Retail plazas, office buildings and standalone commercial buildings can all work.
Before signing a lease, check:
- How many children the play space can license at 3 square metres each.
- Whether outdoor play space is available, and whether the landlord will allow it to be fenced.
- Whether the land use district allows a child care service, and what the change of use permit involves.
- Where the plumbing runs, since washrooms and sinks are needed in several rooms.
Finishes, safety and supervision
Daycare finishes are chosen for cleaning and safety. Sheet vinyl floors with coved bases, washable wall finishes, rounded corners and finger-pinch protection on doors are standard. Windows and glazing low enough for children to see out need safety glass. Interior windows between rooms help staff supervise without leaving a room.
Heating and ventilation matter for young children, who spend all day indoors in winter. Fresh air, even temperatures and quiet mechanical systems make a better space for napping and play.
Working with licensing
Licensing staff look at the space as well as the program. The layout, the play space calculation, the outdoor area, the washrooms and the kitchen all form part of the review. We give operators drawings that show the play space areas clearly, so the licensing review can be prepared in parallel with construction. Plan for the licensing inspection at the end of the build, once the space is complete and furnished.
What daycare operators ask us
How many children can my space hold?
Count only the usable play space and divide by 3 square metres per child, Alberta's minimum. Washrooms, kitchens, offices and storage do not count. We lay out the rooms early to give you a real number.
Do I need an outdoor play area?
Licensing expects one, or an approved exemption. A secure outdoor space close to the building is often what makes or breaks a site.
Do I need a development permit for a daycare?
If the unit was approved for a different use, yes, a Change of Use development permit, plus a building permit for the fit-out.
How long does it take to open a daycare?
Typically 6 to 12 months, including permits, construction and the licensing inspection.
Are there grants for new daycare spaces?
Alberta's Building Blocks program has offered up to $30,000 per new space. Check the current program terms before planning around it.