What is the CWELCC $10/Day Childcare Program in Saskatchewan?

If you’ve heard that daycare in Saskatchewan can cost as little as $10 per day, you may have wondered whether it’s real — and whether your family qualifies. The answer is yes. The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement, commonly known as CWELCC, is a federal and provincial program that has fundamentally changed how much families pay for licensed childcare across Canada, including right here in Regina.

This article explains exactly what the CWELCC program is, how Saskatchewan families can access it, and what it means for parents looking for affordable, licensed daycare in Regina, SK.

What Does CWELCC Stand For?

CWELCC stands for Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care. It is a national childcare framework established through bilateral agreements between the Government of Canada and each province and territory. Saskatchewan signed its CWELCC agreement in 2021 as part of the federal government’s commitment to reducing the average net cost of regulated childcare to $10 per day by 2026.

The program applies specifically to licensed, regulated childcare facilities — it is not available for unregulated home daycares or informal childcare arrangements. This distinction matters, because choosing a licensed facility is both a regulatory requirement for accessing the benefit and a safeguard for your child’s wellbeing.

How Much Does CWELCC Reduce Daycare Fees?

Under the Saskatchewan CWELCC agreement, the provincial government provides direct operating grants to licensed childcare facilities. These grants allow participating centres to substantially reduce the fees they charge to families.

As of 2025–2026, families enrolled in eligible licensed daycares in Saskatchewan are paying significantly reduced fees — with the target of an average net cost of $10 per day for full-time care. Daisy Days Daycare in Regina is a fully approved CWELCC participant, meaning enrolled families benefit directly from these fee reductions.

For context, without CWELCC, full-time infant care in a licensed Regina facility typically costs between $900 and $1,300 per month. With CWELCC, that cost is reduced dramatically — making professional, licensed childcare accessible to families who might otherwise find it unaffordable.

Which Families in Saskatchewan Qualify for $10/Day Daycare?

One of the most common questions parents ask is whether there are income restrictions on CWELCC. Unlike some subsidy programs, the CWELCC fee reduction is not income-tested at the point of enrollment. The reduced fee applies to all families whose children are enrolled in a participating licensed facility, regardless of household income.

However, additional financial assistance is available for families with lower incomes through Saskatchewan’s Child Care Subsidy program, which can layer on top of the CWELCC reduction to bring costs even lower for qualifying families. (See our article on Saskatchewan Child Care Subsidy for a full breakdown.)

To access the $10/day rate, your child must be enrolled in a licensed facility that is registered as a CWELCC participant. Daisy Days Daycare in Regina is registered and actively participating in the program.

What Age Groups Does CWELCC Cover?

The CWELCC program in Saskatchewan covers children from infancy through to school age — specifically:

• Infants (0 to 18 months)
• Toddlers (18 months to 36 months)
• Preschool / Pre-Kindergarten (3 to 5 years)
• School-Age (5 to 12 years, in before and after school programs)

At Daisy Days Daycare, we offer programs for all of these age groups, from our infant care program through to our before and after school care program for school-age children. All programs are licensed under Saskatchewan’s Child Care Act and are fully CWELCC-approved.

How Do I Enroll My Child at a CWELCC-Approved Daycare?

Enrolling at a CWELCC-participating daycare is straightforward. There is no separate CWELCC application form for families — the fee reduction is applied automatically at the facility level. When you enroll your child at Daisy Days Daycare, the reduced CWELCC rate is built directly into the fees you are charged.

Here is what the enrollment process looks like:

1. Contact the daycare to check for available spots and age-appropriate placement

2. Complete the enrollment forms, including consent and emergency contact documentation

3. Receive your fee schedule — the CWELCC-reduced rate is applied from day one

4. Confirm any additional subsidy eligibility if you believe you may qualify for Saskatchewan’s Child Care Subsidy

To check availability or begin the enrollment process at Daisy Days Daycare in Regina, contact us here.

Is CWELCC the Same as the Child Care Subsidy?

These are two separate programs that can work together.

CWELCC is a fee reduction applied at the facility level. It lowers the amount every family pays, regardless of income, at participating licensed daycares.

The Saskatchewan Child Care Subsidy is an additional income-tested benefit for lower-income families. If your household income falls below the provincial threshold, you may receive a direct subsidy on top of the CWELCC reduction — potentially bringing your net cost below $10/day or even to zero.

Eligible families are encouraged to apply for both. The CWELCC reduction happens automatically when you enroll at a participating facility. The subsidy requires a separate provincial application through the Ministry of Education.

Why Licensed Childcare Matters

The CWELCC program is designed specifically to support licensed, regulated facilities — and there is a reason for that. Licensed daycares in Saskatchewan are subject to ongoing inspections, staff qualification requirements, child-to-staff ratio limits, and curriculum standards under the Child Care Act.

Choosing a licensed daycare means your child is in an environment that has been inspected and approved by the province, staffed by trained Early Childhood Educators, and operating within defined safety and developmental standards.

Daisy Days Daycare has been licensed and regulated in Regina since 2010. We hold full compliance with Saskatchewan’s licensing requirements and participate in ongoing staff professional development to maintain the highest standards of care.

Frequently Asked Questions — CWELCC in Saskatchewan

Q: Is the $10/day rate available at all daycares in Saskatchewan?

A: No. The reduced rate applies only at licensed facilities registered as CWELCC participants. Always confirm that a daycare is a registered participant before enrolling.

Q: Will my fees go up when CWELCC funding changes?

A: The CWELCC agreements are between the federal government and provincial governments. Saskatchewan’s agreement commits to the $10/day target through the agreement period. Any changes would be communicated by the province and participating facilities well in advance.

Q: What if there are no spots available at a CWELCC daycare?

A: Licensed daycares operate on enrollment capacity. It is advisable to register your child on a waitlist as early as possible — even before birth for infant spots, which are typically in high demand.

Q: Does CWELCC apply to part-time care?

A: In most cases, CWELCC funding applies to full-time licensed care. Part-time arrangements may have different fee structures. Contact your preferred facility directly to confirm.

Q: How do I know if Daisy Days Daycare is still a CWELCC participant?

A: Yes, Daisy Days Daycare in Regina is a fully approved CWELCC participant. Contact us for current enrollment availability and fee information.

Summary

The CWELCC program has made quality, licensed childcare significantly more affordable for Saskatchewan families. Rather than paying over $1,000 per month for regulated care, enrolled families at participating facilities like Daisy Days Daycare in Regina pay a fraction of that cost — with the provincial target of $10 per day.

If you are looking for a licensed, CWELCC-approved daycare in Regina, SK for your infant, toddler, preschool-age, or school-age child, we would love to hear from you. View our programs or get in touch to check current availability.