Local service guide
Regina childcare: Fees, Hours and Choosing Care
Arrange childcare in Regina by matching your child's age, required hours and pickup route to a provider, then confirm licensing, availability and the full fee before accepting a place. Saskatchewan lists a $217.50 monthly parent fee for eligible children enrolled in regulated care for 10 days or more per month, and $10 per day for fewer than 10 days. Ask the provider to confirm your child's eligibility and any extended-hours charges. [1] [3]
Match the care arrangement to your week
Write down your child's age at the proposed start date, the days you need, your earliest drop-off and latest pickup, and any school transfer. Include allergies, medication, language preferences and support needs in the first enquiry. Ask whether the provider can accommodate that exact arrangement before booking a visit.
Saskatchewan distinguishes regulated centres and family child care homes from unregulated care. The Ministry of Education monitors regulated providers, requires provincial standards and conducts an annual licence review. The province does not regulate or monitor unregulated caregivers and does not maintain a list of them. [3]
For a home provider, ask who covers illness or holidays. For a centre, ask who will work with your child's group and how staff communicate changes. If you arrange a sitter or nanny, request references and evidence of current first-aid training, and agree on duties, hours and emergency contacts in writing.
Confirm the parent fee and extra charges
The provincial fee rules cover eligible children under six in regulated care. Saskatchewan also extends eligibility to Kindergarten children who turn six on or after April 1, 2026, until the end of their Kindergarten school year in June or their seventh birthday, whichever comes first. Confirm the applicable end date with the provider. [1] [3]
For eligible children, Saskatchewan states a fee of $217.50 per month for enrolment of 10 days or more and $10 per day for enrolment of fewer than 10 days. Ask how the provider records enrolled days, handles absences and bills a partial first month. Request a written fee schedule before paying a deposit. [3]
Under the changes implemented by July 1, 2026, Saskatchewan defines standard service as 10 hours of care per day and permits operators to charge for extended hours. Ask for the opening hours, your contracted daily hours and the charge for any additional time. Confirm the individual provider's opening schedule alongside the standard-hours policy. [1]
Request a written quote for private care and compare the same hours, child count, transport duties and cancellation terms. For a sitter or nanny, spell out any meal preparation, school pickup or household duties you want included before accepting the quote.
Check supervision during the visit
Ask to see the posted licence at a regulated facility. Saskatchewan issues licences for parents to view. During the visit, ask how many children join your child's group, how caregivers supervise them, what child-development education caregivers have and how they manage behaviour. The province recommends interviews, visits and reference checks. [3]
Saskatchewan publishes centre staffing limits of three infants, five toddlers, 10 preschool children or 15 school-age children per worker, with specified regulatory exceptions. These limits describe supervision capacity; they do not measure the quality of a particular program. Ask the director which age category and staffing arrangement apply to your child. [3]
For family child care homes, Saskatchewan permits one provider to care for up to eight children, but restricts the age mix. For example, a provider caring for three infants or toddlers can have only school-age children in the remaining places. These home capacity rules apply to regulated and unregulated providers. Ask for the actual ages and numbers present during your booked hours. [3]
Close the gaps before accepting a place
Compare the provider's calendar with your work and school calendars. Ask about illness exclusions, holidays, professional development days, late pickup and emergency closures. Agree on who may collect your child, how the caregiver checks authorization and who contacts you if your child needs care.
For after-school care, establish who takes responsibility between school dismissal and arrival at the program. Request a clear handoff plan and confirm transport arrangements. Visit along your proposed pickup route and decide whether you can meet the closing time without relying on a last-minute change.
For concerns about a facility, Saskatchewan advises speaking with the caregiver first. If the problem remains unresolved, contact the Child Care Regional Office or the Ministry's Child Care Office at 1-855-824-9419. The province says a consultant investigates complaints and handles calls privately. [3]
Saskatchewan centre supervision limits by age group
Local details that affect your job
Use Regina directory entries to build a route-based shortlist
The provincial directory lists YMCA Harbour Landing Child Care Centre at 4417 James Hill Road with infant acceptance, and Stepping Stones, Elphinstone at 1561 Elphinstone Street with infant acceptance and extended hours. Use these entries as enquiry leads if those locations suit your route. Ask each provider to confirm current age acceptance and operating hours. Directory entries do not confirm vacancies. Contact each provider about availability. [2]
Check the City's exact after-school schedule
The City's schedule, updated September 15, 2026, lists Core Ritchie Neighbourhood Centre at 445 14th Avenue and Glencairn Neighbourhood Centre at 2626 Dewdney Avenue East from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. South Leisure at 170 Sunset Drive runs from 3:15 to 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. The City describes the program as free and drop-in and requires a signed permission form. It excludes statutory holidays and no-school days, including October 12 and 26. Arrange coverage for those gaps and confirm attendance and pickup procedures before relying on the program. [4]
Choose the next enquiry for your care needs
| Your need | Arrangement to investigate | Confirm before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Regular care for a child under six | Regulated centre or family child care home | Eligibility, enrolled-days billing, posted licence and start-date availability |
| Care for a Kindergarten child turning six | Eligible regulated care | The child's eligibility end date and school-day handoff |
| Hours beyond the standard day | Providers listed with extended-hours or 24-hour filters | Actual operating hours, contracted hours and additional charges |
| Elementary after-school activities | City drop-in after-school program | Location schedule, signed permission form, pickup and no-school-day backup |
| Occasional care at home | Interview a sitter for the specific booking | References, training, duties, emergency plan and written quote |
Your hiring checklist
- Send the child's age, start date, required days and exact drop-off and pickup times.
- Confirm a place for those hours and request the enrolment agreement.
- Request the complete fee schedule, deposit terms and cancellation notice.
- Visit the care setting and discuss supervision, behaviour, meals and support needs.
- Check references and request relevant training documents.
- Agree on school transport, authorized pickup and emergency contacts.
- Arrange backup care for illness, closures and days outside the program calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 10 days of eligible care cost $100?
Saskatchewan states that eligible children enrolled for 10 days or more per month have a $217.50 monthly fee. The $10 daily fee applies to enrolment of fewer than 10 days. Confirm how your provider records enrolment and handles partial months. [3]
Can I find infant care through the official directory?
Yes. The provincial directory includes infant-acceptance filters and Regina entries marked as accepting infants. Contact the provider with your child's age and required start date to confirm a suitable place. [2]
Does the City after-school program cover school holidays?
The City states that its after-school program does not operate on statutory holidays or no-school days. Check the published calendar and arrange separate coverage for those dates. [4]
Do unregulated home providers have child-number limits?
Yes. Saskatchewan applies its family-home number and age-mix limits to regulated and unregulated providers. One provider may care for up to eight children, subject to age restrictions. Ask which permitted combination matches the children present. [3]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.