Saskatchewan's Opposition party is criticizing the provincial government for putting babies and toddlers in Dale's House — a Regina group home meant for troubled teenagers.

Cam Broten, Saskatchewan NDP leader, said infants and toddlers should not be taken to Dale's House.

"The teens and preteens that are there are there because they haven't been able to do well in other environments — either because of violence or sexual abuse," Broten said. "I don't think it's appropriate to have babies in that environment."

The government said the children are in a different room from the teenagers and that has only happened three times in the past year.

June Draude, Minister of Social Services, said Dale's House is a better place for young children than a hotel room.

"We still have a three to one staff ratio," Draude said. "We know that they're in a room that's just double-doors away from the rest of the staff at Dale's House and the first and most important thing to us always is the safety of the children."

In October 2012, eight children from three to 10 years old were taken to Dale's House. This month, six children have stayed at the group home. The government said a winter storm played a significant role in preventing the children from being taken to a rural home.