Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Calgary’s Zebra Crossing Academy has been placed on a probationary licence by Alberta’s Ministry of Education and Childcare following multiple instances of non-compliance with provincial standards. The probationary status will remain in effect until January 23, 2026, during which the program will be under close monitoring by Child Care Licensing officials.
Authorities cited significant safety concerns regarding the supervision of younger children as one of the main reasons for the decision. As a result, the academy’s licensed capacity has been temporarily reduced, and it has lost permission to care for children under the age of three. This change is expected to affect approximately 82 child-care spaces.
In a statement, Education and Childcare said that licensing staff are actively assisting affected families in securing alternate placements for their children. Parents seeking alternative child-care options can contact Child Care Connect at 1-844-644-5165 or use the Child Care Lookup tool for a list of licensed programs.
Under the conditions of the probationary licence, the licence holder must inform all parents about the program’s probationary status and capacity changes, and must provide proof of this communication to the ministry.
The Ministry emphasized that while the majority of Alberta’s child-care providers maintain strong standards for safety and child well-being, any program that fails to meet regulatory requirements faces possible enforcement actions. These may include probation, suspension, or even cancellation of the licence if compliance is not restored. Administrative penalties can also be imposed for breaches of provincial child-care legislation.
If Zebra Crossing Academy fails to return to full compliance during the probationary period, its licence will expire and not be reinstated, officials warned.
The government reiterated that anyone with concerns about a licensed child-care program should contact Child Care Connect at 1-844-644-5165 to report issues or seek guidance.
Would you like me to make this article sound more like a news report for print media (objective and crisp) or a human-interest piece (slightly softer tone, focused on parents and community impact)?
