Daycare vs Preschool in Saskatchewan | What’s the Difference? | Daisy Days

One of the most common questions Regina SK parents ask when exploring early childhood options is: What’s the difference between daycare and preschool in Saskatchewan? The answer matters because it affects everything from hours of operation and cost to CWELCC eligibility and how your child is prepared for Kindergarten.

At Daisy Days Daycare in Regina SK, we offer both licensed preschool programming and full-day licensed daycare — all within one CWELCC-enrolled centre at approximately $10/day.

The Key Differences: Daycare vs Preschool in Saskatchewan

1. Hours of Operation

Daycare (also called a childcare centre or licensed childcare) typically operates full-day, year-round — usually 7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. This makes it the choice for working parents who need reliable, full-day care.

Preschool in Saskatchewan often runs part-day (2–4 hours) for a portion of the school year. This model is designed for learning enrichment, not full-day childcare for working parents.

2. Licensing and Regulation

Licensed daycare centres in Saskatchewan are regulated by the Ministry of Education and must meet specific standards for staff qualifications, child-to-educator ratios, programming, space, and safety inspections.

Preschool programs vary significantly. Some are licensed under the same regulations as daycare. Others operate as informal community programs with minimal regulatory oversight. Always verify the licensing status of any early childhood programme you consider.

3. CWELCC Eligibility

The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program — which provides approximately $10/day childcare fees — applies only to licensed childcare centres and approved providers who have signed a CWELCC provider agreement. Many part-day preschool programs do not qualify.

Daisy Days Daycare in Regina SK is a fully CWELCC-enrolled licensed centre. Families enrolled with us pay approximately $10/day for all age groups, including our preschool-age children in the 3–5 age group.

4. Age Groups Served

Licensed daycare typically serves a wide age range — from infants (as young as birth) through school-age (up to Grade 6 in before/after school programs).

Preschool typically focuses specifically on children aged 3–5 years, in the 1–2 years before Kindergarten entry.

5. Curriculum and Programming

Both quality daycare and licensed preschool use play-based, child-led learning approaches. However, full-day licensed childcare like Daisy Days Daycare integrates a richer, more holistic curriculum across the full day — including outdoor play, meal routines, rest, ECE-led activities, and sustained peer relationships — that a 2-hour preschool session simply cannot replicate.

Research consistently shows that children in high-quality, full-day licensed childcare programs demonstrate stronger Kindergarten readiness outcomes than those in part-day preschool-only settings.

When Parents Choose Licensed Daycare Over Preschool

Most Regina SK families with working parents choose full-day licensed daycare because:

• It covers the full working day, eliminating the need for additional childcare arrangements
• It is CWELCC-eligible at approximately $10/day
• It provides developmental programming across all hours, not just 2–3 hours
• Children develop deeper peer relationships over full days and full years together
• It serves all age groups from infant through school-age in one consistent environment

Daisy Days Daycare — Licensed Preschool + Full-Day Care in One

At Daisy Days Daycare in Regina SK, parents don’t have to choose. Our licensed centre offers full-day, year-round care for children from birth through school age — including a dedicated preschool programme for 3–5 year olds that emphasizes Kindergarten readiness through play-based learning.

Our preschool-age programming includes:

• Daily read-alouds and pre-literacy activities
• Number sense and early math games
• Social-emotional skill building
• Fine and gross motor development through art and outdoor play
• Collaborative projects and creative expression
• Learning about routines, transitions, and group expectations — essential Kindergarten skills

All of this is delivered within a licensed, CWELCC-enrolled centre at approximately $10/day — making Daisy Days both the most comprehensive and most affordable early childhood option in southwest Regina SK.

Questions to Ask When Comparing Daycare and Preschool in Regina SK

• Is the programme provincially licensed? What is its last inspection date?
• Does it qualify for CWELCC $10/day funding?
• What are the hours of operation? Does it cover my full working day?
• What are the staff qualifications? Are educators ECE-certified?
• What is the child-to-educator ratio for my child’s age group?
• How is the curriculum designed to support Kindergarten readiness?

Book a free tour at Daisy Days Daycare to see our licensed preschool and full-day childcare programmes in person.

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