Child Care in Saskatchewan

There are two types of child care in Saskatchewan: regulated and unregulated.

Regulated child care:

• Whether provided in a child care centre or a family child care home, regulated child care is monitored by the Ministry of Education.
• They must meet and maintain standards set by the Government of Saskatchewan. These standards are outlined in The Child Care Act, 2014 and The Child Care Regulations, 2015.
• All regulated facilities have their licence reviewed every year.

Unregulated child care:

• Caregivers that are not regulated or monitored by the Government of Saskatchewan. Unregulated child care providers still need to ensure that they are operating within the permitted number and ages of children to maintain a safe environment.

The Child Care Regulations, 2015 identify the maximum number of children one person can be responsible for at any one time. The number depends on the ages of the children. These numbers apply to both regulated and unregulated child care centres and family child care homes.

Child Care Centres:

One worker can care for a maximum of three infants, five toddlers, 10 preschool age children or 15 school age children except in specific circumstances identified in the regulations.

Family Child Care Homes:

Whether regulated or not regulated, one provider may care for a maximum of eight children. Five of these children may be infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children, of which only two may be infants and toddlers. If three infants and toddlers are in care, all other children must be of school age.

All combinations listed in the table below are permitted within the eight-child limit.

It's important to find a good "match" when looking for a child care provider. Take some time to identify your needs, your child's needs and your priorities for child care.

Set up an interview and visit the centre or family child care home. Discuss your expectations with the potential care providers and check references before deciding which service to use.

Below is a list of important questions to ask and things to look for in a l child care facility to help you determine if the environment healthy and safe and right for you and your child.

• How many children are being cared for by the child care home provider?
• How many children would be in your child’s group at the centre?
• How are children supervised?
• Do caregivers interact with the children?
• Are child care providers educated about child development?
• How is behaviour managed?
• Is the program appropriate for your child's age and needs?
• Is the caregiver easy to talk to?
• Is the child care home provider or child care centre regulated by the Government of Saskatchewan?

Be sure to discuss your expectations with child care home providers or centre directors. Always check references before deciding which service to use.

Explore the many benefits for families who choose regulated child care.

Search for regulated child care providers by location using our searchable map of Saskatchewan.

Find a regulated child care provider in your community

The Ministry of Education does not keep a list of unregulated child care.

Through the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, Saskatchewan is working to enhance the existing early learning and child care system through fee reductions for parents of children under age six. Effective April 1, 2023, all parents with children under the age of six in a regulated child care centre or home are eligible to receive child care for $10 per day or $217.50 per month. The reduced fees apply to all children under the age of six occupying an infant, toddler, preschool or school-age space.

Families with children enrolled 10 days or more per month will pay a child care fee of $217.50 per month. Families with children enrolled fewer than 10 days per month will pay a child care fee of $10 per day.

Accessing financial support for child care expenses:

The Saskatchewan Employment Incentive (SEI) program provides working families who have lower incomes with a monthly financial employment incentive, Supplementary Health Benefits, access to discount bus passes (where available), connections to employment through Immigration and Career Training and access to the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) program is no longer accepting applications and is being replaced by the SEI.

Current CCS clients will continue to receive benefits over the next year as long as they continue to meet CCS eligibility criteria. Social Services will work with eligible CCS clients to support them as they transition to the new program.

In Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Education:

• Regulates and monitors child care centres and family child care homes to establish/review regulatory requirements.
• Issues a licence, which is posted for viewing by parents.
• Provides grants to assist with the costs of developing or operating child care services.
• Provides financial assistance to families to assist with the costs of regulated child care.
• Promotes the inclusion of children and families with diverse needs within each child care service.
• Provides information, education and consultative supports to individuals and communities to assist in identifying or developing services appropriate to their needs.
• Coordinates service delivery and promotes integration of services for children and families.
• Provides current listings of child care homes and centres in communities across the province.
• Investigates complaints of over-enrollment in child care that is not regulated to ensure children are protected from the risk associated with too many children and too few caregivers.

If you have any concerns about your child care facility, regulated or unregulated, talk to your caregiver first. If the problem is not resolved, contact the Child Care Regional Office closest to you. An early learning and child care consultant will investigate your complaint, will take action and will handle your call privately. If required, other agencies, including the Ministry of Social Services or local police, may also become involved.

You can contact the Ministry of Education's Child Care Office by calling 1-855-824-9419.