What Age Can My Child Start Daycare in Canada?

One of the first questions new parents ask when returning to work is: when can my child actually start daycare? The answer depends on a combination of provincial regulations, the policies of individual childcare facilities, and each child’s individual developmental readiness. In Canada, the answer varies by province — and for Saskatchewan families, understanding the provincial framework helps set realistic expectations.

Is There a Federal Minimum Age for Daycare in Canada?

There is no single federal minimum age for daycare in Canada. Childcare is provincially regulated, meaning each province sets its own rules regarding the minimum age at which children may be placed in a licensed facility.

This means that what is permitted in Saskatchewan may differ from what is allowed in Ontario, British Columbia, or Alberta.

What Is the Minimum Age for Daycare in Saskatchewan?

In Saskatchewan, licensed childcare facilities may accept infants from birth, subject to having licensed capacity in the infant room and the facility’s own policies. There is no provincial minimum age restriction that prevents newborns from being enrolled in a licensed infant program.

However, in practice, most families do not place newborns in daycare immediately after birth. This is typically due to:

• Parental leave: Canada’s Employment Insurance parental leave benefits allow most parents to take between 15 and 69 weeks of leave (depending on the standard or extended option chosen), providing time at home with a newborn before transitioning to daycare.
• Waitlist timing: Most families in Regina register for daycare during pregnancy or early infancy. The infant spot typically becomes active when parental leave ends — often around 12 months.
• Infant room capacity: Because the regulatory staff-to-infant ratio (1:3) requires more staff per child than other age groups, infant spots are limited and in high demand.

What Age Do Most Canadian Families Start Daycare?

While there is no universal answer, the most common daycare start age in Canada is between 12 and 18 months — which aligns with the end of the standard Employment Insurance parental leave period.

Under Canada’s standard parental leave option, parents can receive approximately 12 months of combined maternity and parental leave benefits. The extended option spreads a lower weekly benefit amount over up to 18 months. As a result:

• Families on standard leave tend to start daycare around 12 months of age
• Families on extended leave tend to start around 18 months
• Families who do not qualify for EI, or who choose to return to work earlier, may start daycare earlier — sometimes at 6 months or younger

Age Groups at Licensed Daycares in Saskatchewan

Licensed childcare facilities in Saskatchewan are organized by age group, each with its own provincial staff-to-child ratio requirements:

Age Group	Age Range	Max Staff:Child Ratio
Infant	0–18 months	1:3
Toddler	18–36 months	1:5
Preschool	3–5 years	1:10
School-Age	5–12 years	1:15

These ratios define how many children may be enrolled per qualified staff member in each age-specific room. The lower the ratio, the more individualized care each child receives.

Developmental Readiness vs. Age Requirements

While age determines which room your child will be placed in, developmental readiness is the more nuanced consideration for individual children. Every child develops at their own pace.

Signs that an infant may be developmentally ready for a group care setting:

• The child has established some predictability in feeding and sleeping patterns
• The child can be soothed by caregivers other than their primary parent
• The child shows interest in observing other people and faces

It is important for parents to recognize that no infant or young toddler is ever truly “ready” for daycare in the same way an older child might be. The adjustment period is normal and expected. Quality licensed facilities actively support the transition through:

• A gradual settling-in period where parents stay for progressively shorter intervals
• Consistent assigned caregivers who build individual relationships with each new infant
• Clear communication with parents about the child’s adjustment progress

When Is the Right Time to Start the Daycare Search?

Given the waitlists at quality licensed facilities in Regina — particularly for infant spots — the answer to “when should I start looking?” is almost always: earlier than you think.

Many families in Regina begin their daycare search and register on waitlists during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. This is especially true for families seeking infant placement at licensed, CWELCC-participating facilities, where spots are limited by the strict staff-to-child ratio requirements.

Recommended timeline:

• During pregnancy (second trimester): Visit facilities and add your name to waitlists
• After birth: Confirm your waitlist status and expected start date
• 4–6 weeks before start date: Begin the settling-in process (trial visits, gradual introduction)
• First day: Follow the facility’s recommended transition protocol

What If My Child Is Older? Is There a Maximum Age for Daycare?

Licensed centre-based daycare in Saskatchewan serves children up to age 12. Children aged 5–12 are typically served through before and after school programs once they begin kindergarten.

If your child is past the infant or toddler age and you are looking for preschool (ages 3–5) or school-age programming (ages 5–12), enrollment is generally easier to arrange than for infant spots, as the demand-to-capacity ratio is less extreme.

Starting at Daisy Days Daycare, Regina

Daisy Days Daycare accepts infants from birth through our licensed infant program, as well as toddlers, preschool-age, and school-age children in our respective programs. As a CWELCC-approved facility in Regina, SK, the federal-provincial fee reduction applies across all age groups.

We encourage families to register early — particularly those seeking infant placement. Contact us to check current availability or to add your child to our waitlist. View all our programs to find the right placement for your child’s age group.

FAQ

Q: Can a newborn go to daycare in Canada?

A: Yes, in provinces like Saskatchewan there is no minimum age restriction in the legislation. However, most families use parental leave benefits and begin daycare at 12–18 months.

Q: What age is best to start daycare?

A: There is no universally “best” age. Most research on child outcomes in quality licensed settings shows positive developmental effects across all age groups. The quality of the care setting matters far more than the age of entry.

Q: Do I need to toilet train my child before they can start daycare?

A: For infant and toddler programs, no. Toilet training support is typically part of a toddler program. Preschool programs may have varying policies — confirm directly with your facility.