Childcare for Children with Special Needs in Regina — A Parent’s Resource Guide

# Post 20: Childcare for Children with Special Needs in Regina — A Parent’s Resource Guide

**Slug:** childcare-special-needs-children-regina
**Focus Keyword:** childcare special needs children Regina
**Secondary Keywords:** inclusive daycare Regina, special needs childcare Saskatchewan, daycare support children disabilities
**Meta Title:** Childcare for Children with Special Needs in Regina | Inclusive Daycare | Daisy Days
**Meta Description:** Looking for inclusive childcare in Regina for your child with special needs? Learn what quality inclusive daycare looks like, your rights, and how Daisy Days supports all children.
**Word Count Target:** 1,300–1,500
**Internal Links:** /our-programs/, /about-us/, /contact-us/, inclusive childcare pillar page
**Pillar Page:** Pillar 5 — Inclusive Childcare in Regina: Supporting Every Child

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## Childcare for Children with Special Needs in Regina — A Parent’s Resource Guide

Finding childcare is stressful for any family. For parents of children with developmental delays, disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing differences, language delays, or complex medical needs, the search is often exponentially harder.

You are navigating the same shortage of licensed childcare spaces that all Regina families face — plus the added layer of finding a facility with the capacity, experience, and genuine willingness to support your child.

This guide is designed to give you clear, practical information about inclusive childcare in Regina: what it means, what you should expect, what supports are available in Saskatchewan, and how to evaluate whether a centre is truly equipped to welcome your child.

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## What Is Inclusive Childcare?

Inclusive childcare means that children of all abilities participate together in the same licensed childcare environment, with appropriate supports in place.

True inclusion is not simply about physical presence — it is about meaningful participation. A child with special needs in an inclusive setting should:

– Have their individual needs identified and planned for
– Access the same curriculum, activities, and social opportunities as other children
– Receive appropriate accommodations and supports
– Be treated with dignity and as a full member of the group

The Canadian Human Rights Act and Saskatchewan’s Human Rights Code both protect the right of children with disabilities to access services, including childcare, without discrimination. Childcare centres have a legal duty to accommodate children with disabilities to the point of undue hardship.

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## Common Needs We Support at Daisy Days Daycare

At Daisy Days Daycare, our commitment to inclusive childcare means we work to accommodate a range of needs, including:

– **Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)** — structured routines, visual schedules, sensory-friendly environments
– **Developmental delays** — individualized programming that meets each child where they are
– **Language and communication delays** — partnership with speech-language resources and communication strategies
– **Sensory processing differences** — environmental accommodations and sensory-aware programming
– **Physical disabilities** — accessible spaces and adapted activities
– **Behavioural challenges** — positive behaviour support approaches rather than exclusionary practices
– **Complex medical needs** — working with families and, where applicable, medical teams to implement care plans

We collaborate with families, specialists, and community resources to build individualized plans for children who need them.

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## Saskatchewan Supports for Children with Special Needs in Childcare

Saskatchewan has programs specifically designed to support children with disabilities in licensed childcare:

### Saskatchewan Inclusion Support Program (SISP)
The Inclusion Support Program provides funding to help licensed childcare centres support children with additional needs. Through SISP, centres may access:
– Additional staff support hours
– Specialized equipment or environmental modifications
– Consultation from early intervention specialists

To access SISP supports, the childcare centre typically initiates the process. If your child has an identified disability or developmental need, ask the centre whether they will apply for SISP supports.

### Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP)
ECIP is a province-wide network of services for children aged 0–6 with developmental differences. ECIP services include:
– Developmental assessments
– Speech-language therapy
– Occupational therapy
– Physical therapy
– Family support and coaching

ECIP services can be coordinated alongside daycare attendance — therapists sometimes work with children at the daycare centre itself, which maximizes efficiency and minimizes disruption for the child.

To access ECIP, contact your local Early Childhood Intervention Program site or speak with your child’s paediatrician.

### Child Care Subsidy
The Saskatchewan Child Care Subsidy is income-tested financial assistance for licensed childcare. Families with children with special needs may be eligible for enhanced subsidy support.

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## What to Ask When Touring Daycares as a Parent of a Child with Special Needs

When you tour a daycare with a child who has special needs, the questions from a standard tour checklist still apply — but you need additional, specific questions:

**1. Do you have experience supporting children with [your child’s specific need]?**
Ask for specifics, not generalities. “We love all children” is not the same as “We have supported three children with ASD in the past two years using visual schedules and sensory breaks.”

**2. Will you apply for Saskatchewan Inclusion Support Program funding for my child?**
A centre that is truly committed to inclusion will be familiar with SISP and willing to access it for qualifying children.

**3. How do you develop an individualized plan for children with additional needs?**
Look for a clear process: initial intake meeting, written plan, regular review, family involvement.

**4. Will therapists or ECIP workers be able to work with my child at your centre?**
Quality inclusive centres welcome outside specialists and make this easy, not difficult.

**5. How do you handle behaviours that may be related to my child’s disability?**
Listen for positive behaviour support language, not punitive or exclusionary responses.

**6. What is your policy on exclusion and suspension?**
Exclusion of children with disabilities for disability-related behaviours is a serious human rights concern. Ask directly.

**7. How do you communicate with families of children with complex needs?**
Expect more frequent, more detailed communication than for a typically developing child.

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## Red Flags to Watch For

Not every centre that claims to be “inclusive” is genuinely prepared to support children with significant needs. Watch for:

– **Vague answers** to specific questions about experience and supports
– **Reluctance to apply for SISP** or connect with ECIP
– **Focus on what your child “can’t do”** rather than how to support what they can do
– **Exclusionary behaviour policies** that treat disability-related behaviour as misconduct
– **High staff turnover** — continuity of care is especially critical for children with special needs
– **A “we’ll try it and see” attitude without a clear plan** — children with complex needs need structured, proactive planning, not reactive management

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## Supporting a Smooth Transition to Childcare

For children with special needs, the transition to daycare often requires extra planning. Here’s how to set your child up for success:

**Share everything.** Provide the centre with all relevant assessment reports, IEPs (Individual Education Plans from school, if applicable), medical documentation, and sensory profiles. Do not withhold information hoping to avoid stigma — the centre needs this information to support your child.

**Start with a gradual transition.** A phased approach — shorter initial sessions, extended stays, and regular check-ins — is worth the logistics for most children with special needs.

**Stay in daily contact at first.** Until both you and the centre have confidence in the routine, daily communication about how your child’s day went is essential.

**Advocate throughout.** You know your child best. If something isn’t working, say so promptly. A quality centre will listen and adapt.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can a daycare refuse to accept my child because of their disability?**
A: Under Saskatchewan’s Human Rights Code, childcare centres have a duty to accommodate children with disabilities to the point of undue hardship. Outright refusal to enroll a child because of their disability may constitute discrimination. If you feel you have experienced discrimination, contact the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

**Q: Does CWELCC apply to children with special needs?**
A: Yes. CWELCC fee reductions apply to all children at CWELCC-participating licensed centres, regardless of disability status.

**Q: My child has a 1:1 support worker through ECIP. Can they come to daycare with my child?**
A: In many cases, yes. Coordinate between your ECIP contact and the daycare centre to facilitate this — it is typically a positive outcome for everyone.

**Q: Does Daisy Days Daycare accept children with autism?**
A: Yes. We work to support children with ASD through structured routines, visual schedules, sensory-aware environments, and close coordination with families and specialists. Contact us to discuss your child’s specific needs.

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## Every Child Deserves a Place to Belong

At Daisy Days Daycare, we believe that inclusion is not a service we provide for certain children — it is our approach to all children. Every child in our care deserves to feel seen, supported, and like they fully belong.

If you are a Regina parent looking for childcare for a child with special needs, we welcome a conversation. [Contact us](/contact-us/) to talk about your child’s needs, tour our facility, and discuss how we can work together to create the right environment for your family.

[Explore all of our programs](/our-programs/) or [read about our inclusive approach](/about-us/).

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*Daisy Days Daycare | 2007 Potts Crescent East, Regina, SK S4V 2E5 | 306-807-3233 | info@daisydaysdaycare.com*