First-Time Parent Daycare Guide Regina SK 2026 — Everything New Parents Need to Know

Starting daycare for the first time is one of the most emotionally charged decisions a new parent makes. You want the best care for your child, you worry about separation, you question whether daycare is the right choice—and on top of that, you have to navigate waitlists, subsidy programs, tour schedules, and provincial licensing terminology. This guide is written for first-time parents in Regina SK who are starting from scratch. Daisy Days Daycare at 2007 Potts Crescent East, Harbour Landing, South Regina is a licensed, CWELCC-enrolled centre ready to support your family through every step.

Key takeaways

• Step 1: Start Your Search Early — Very Early
• Step 2: Understand What “Licensed Daycare” Means in Saskatchewan
• Step 3: Apply for CWELCC — You Probably Already Qualify
• Step 4: Book a Daycare Tour at Daisy Days
• Step 5: Prepare for the Adjustment Period

Step 1: Start Your Search Early — Very Early

Licensed daycare spaces in Regina SK fill months—sometimes over a year—in advance. The most important thing every first-time parent can do is identify which licensed centres are near your home or workplace and get on their waitlists during pregnancy. You can always decline a spot later if your plans change. You cannot get a spot you never applied for.

Daisy Days Daycare accepts waitlist inquiries at any time. Contact us at (306) 807-3233 or info@daisydaysdaycare.com and we will add you to our list and notify you when spaces open.

Step 2: Understand What “Licensed Daycare” Means in Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, a licensed daycare is regulated and inspected by the provincial government under the Child Care Act, 2014. Licensing requirements include:

• Mandatory staff-to-child ratios (1:3 for infants; 1:5 for toddlers; 1:10 for preschoolers)
• Criminal record checks for all staff and volunteers
• First aid certification for all educators
• Approved facility, ventilation, and playground safety standards
• Annual licensing inspections and renewals

Daisy Days Daycare is fully licensed and has maintained its provincial licence continuously since opening. Choosing a licensed centre means regulatory protection for your child—a meaningful safeguard that unlicensed and informal arrangements do not provide.

Step 3: Apply for CWELCC — You Probably Already Qualify

The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program reduces licensed daycare fees at enrolled Saskatchewan centres to an average of $10 per day per child. Daisy Days Daycare is CWELCC-enrolled—you do not need to submit a separate application for the base subsidy. The fee reduction is applied automatically at enrollment. Additional provincial subsidies based on household income are available separately through the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education.

Step 4: Book a Daycare Tour at Daisy Days

Every first-time parent should tour a daycare before committing. During a tour at Daisy Days you will:

• See the infant, toddler, and preschool rooms and outdoor play area
• Meet the educators who will care for your child daily
• Ask questions about the daily schedule, feeding policy, sleep policy, and sick-day procedures
• Review the parent handbook, enrollment package, and CWELCC fee schedule
• Understand what to bring on your child’s first day

Book a tour by calling (306) 807-3233 or emailing info@daisydaysdaycare.com. Tours run on weekdays by appointment.

Step 5: Prepare for the Adjustment Period

Almost every child experiences some level of adjustment when starting daycare. Separation anxiety is completely normal—especially in the first two to four weeks. Signs include crying at drop-off, clinginess in the morning, or temporary changes in sleep and appetite. These responses are normal developmental reactions and typically resolve within four to six weeks as your child builds trust with their educators and familiarity with the environment.

First-time parents often feel the anxiety as intensely as their children do. Our educators are experienced in supporting both children and parents through this transition period. We encourage short goodbyes, consistent drop-off routines, and staying in communication with your child’s educator during the adjustment weeks.

Step 6: Understand What to Pack Daily

For infants and toddlers, a typical daily daycare bag includes: diapers and wipes, at least two changes of clothing, any formula or labelled breast milk in bottles, a comfort item (blanket or stuffed animal), seasonally appropriate outdoor clothing, and sunscreen in warmer months. A detailed pack list is provided at enrollment. Label everything with your child’s name.

What Programs Are Available at Daisy Days for Infants and Young Children?

• Infant Room (0–18 months): Our smallest group, highest attention, and most responsive programming. Apply early—infant spaces fill first.
• Toddler Room (18 months–3 years): Structured play, language development, toilet training support, and socialization.
• Preschool Room (3–5 years): Play-based learning aligned with Saskatchewan’s Play and Exploration Early Learning Framework to prepare children for Grade 1.

Related reading

• book a daycare tour in Regina SK
• daycare enrollment in Regina SK
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