Extended Parental Leave & Daycare Planning in Saskatchewan 2026 | Daisy Days

Canada’s extended parental leave (up to 18 months when combined with maternity leave) is one of the most generous parental support programs in the world. But it creates a specific childcare planning challenge: starting daycare enrollment far in advance of when you’ll need a spot, at a time when your baby is very young and the return-to-work date feels abstract. Here’s how Regina SK families can plan daycare enrollment around extended parental leave.

Extended Parental Leave Timeline in Canada (2026)

• Maternity Leave: Up to 15 weeks EI benefits at 55% of insurable earnings (birth parent only)
• Standard Parental Leave: Up to 40 weeks EI benefits at 55%, sharable between parents
• Extended Parental Leave: Up to 69 weeks EI benefits at 33%, sharable between parents
• Combined maternity + extended parental: Up to 18 months away from work, with income replacement throughout

Note: Some Saskatchewan employers offer enhanced parental leave top-ups — check your employment contract and HR policy.

When to Start Daycare Enrollment Planning on Extended Leave

If you’re on extended parental leave with a return-to-work date around 18 months post-birth, your daycare enrollment timeline looks like this:

• Birth to 6 months: Research licensed CWELCC daycares in your area, read reviews, shortlist 3-5 centres
• 6-9 months: Book tours at your top 2-3 centres even though return is a year away — waitlists are long
• 9-12 months: Join the waitlist at your preferred centre(s) with your approximate 18-month start date
• 12-15 months: Confirm your return-to-work date and update the daycare with your specific start date
• 15-17 months: Complete enrollment paperwork, attend any orientation offered, do a trial visit if available
• 18 months: Start daycare — your child is developmentally in toddler territory and ready for group care

Advantages of Starting Daycare After Extended Parental Leave

• Developmentally timing: 18-month-olds are in the toddler program — a developmentally active, language-rich, peer-interested stage that often adjusts well to group care
• Separation anxiety is peaking: 12-18 months is peak separation protest — expect a transition period. This is normal, not a sign of wrong timing.
• Language advantage: 18-month-olds have emerging language to express needs, making educator-child communication easier than with very young infants

What If Extended Leave Ends Earlier Than Expected?

Life changes — some families return to work earlier than planned due to financial need, career opportunity, or employer requirements. Contact Daisy Days Daycare as soon as your timeline shifts — we work with families to accommodate changed start dates when possible.

→ Returning to work from maternity/parental leave guide
→ Childcare planning timeline for expecting parents
→ How long is the daycare waitlist in Regina SK?

Contact Daisy Days Daycare to discuss your extended leave daycare planning.
306-807-3233 | info@daisydaysdaycare.com | 2007 Potts Crescent East, Regina SK S4V 2E5