Daycare vs Preschool — What’s the Difference? | Regina SK Guide | Daisy Days

“Daycare or preschool?” is one of the most common questions Regina SK parents ask when their child approaches ages 2-4. The confusion is understandable — both terms get used loosely, they sometimes overlap, and in Saskatchewan’s evolving childcare landscape, the lines between them have shifted with CWELCC. At Daisy Days Daycare, here’s the clear breakdown.

Daycare in Regina SK — What It Is

A licensed daycare (or licensed childcare centre) in Saskatchewan:

• Provides full-day care — typically 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday
• Serves children from birth to school age (typically to Grade 1 or Grade 6 for before/after school care)
• Is licensed by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education and subject to regular inspections
• Requires ECE-certified educators in every room
• May be CWELCC-enrolled at approximately $10/day (not all licensed daycares have enrolled)
• Provides programming across all developmental domains — play-based curriculum that includes preschool-level learning within full-day care
• Daisy Days Daycare is a licensed daycare centre open Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, serving infants through school-age children

Preschool in Regina SK — What It Is

A preschool (sometimes called nursery school or pre-kindergarten):

• Provides part-time programming — typically 2-3 hours per session, 2-5 days per week
• Serves children aged 3-5 years (school entry minus 1-2 years)
• Focuses on early learning and Kindergarten readiness in a structured group environment
• Is typically NOT full-day care — parents provide transportation and are responsible for the child before and after the session
• May be licensed (by Ministry of Education) or registered (through school divisions) — licensing varies
• May or may not be CWELCC-eligible (confirm with each program)
• Operated by school divisions, non-profits, faith organizations, or private entities

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Licensed Daycare	Preschool
Hours	Full day (~7AM-6PM)	Part day (~2-3 hrs/session)
Ages served	Birth to school age	Typically 3-5 years only
Care purpose	Full-day childcare while parents work	Early learning program, not a care replacement
CWELCC?	Yes (if enrolled centre)	Varies by program
Licensing	Ministry of Education	Varies (some licensed, some registered)
ECE required?	Yes, in every room	Varies by program type

Do I Need Daycare or Preschool in Regina SK?

The answer depends primarily on one question: Do you need full-day care while you work?

• Both parents working full-time → Licensed daycare. Preschool’s 2-3 hour sessions don’t cover a workday. You need a licensed daycare like Daisy Days Daycare.
• One parent home and looking for socialization/early learning → Preschool may be appropriate. But note: a licensed daycare’s preschool-aged program delivers the same (and typically more) developmental content within full-day care.
• Want CWELCC?→ Confirm specifically. Daisy Days Daycare is CWELCC-enrolled and provides full-day care including preschool programming at approximately $10/day.

Daisy Days Daycare’s Preschool Program Within Full-Day Care

Daisy Days Daycare in Regina SK includes a preschool-level program (ages 3-5) as part of our full-day licensed childcare. Children in our preschool group receive:

• Play-based curriculum targeting all Kindergarten readiness skills
• Daily read-alouds, phonological awareness activities, and early literacy exposure
• Pre-numeracy concepts through math play and manipulatives
• Social skills, self-regulation, and cooperative learning
• Fine motor development and creative expression

All of this within a full-day CWELCC-enrolled licensed daycare at approximately $10/day — no need to choose between full-day care for working parents AND quality preschool programming. Learn more about our preschool program.

→ Kindergarten readiness guide for Regina SK
→ What age can children start daycare in Saskatchewan?

Contact Daisy Days Daycare — full-day CWELCC daycare with preschool programming.
306-807-3233 | info@daisydaysdaycare.com | 2007 Potts Crescent East, Regina SK S4V 2E5