Inclusion at Licensed Daycare — Special Needs & Accessible Care in Saskatchewan | Daisy Days

Every child deserves quality licensed childcare — including children with developmental differences, disabilities, and diverse support needs. At Daisy Days Daycare in Regina SK, inclusion is a core value. We believe children with special needs benefit enormously from quality licensed group care, and their typically-developing peers benefit from growing up alongside children with diverse abilities.

What Inclusion Means at a Licensed Daycare in Saskatchewan

True inclusion in a licensed daycare is more than just physical presence. Genuine inclusion means:

• Full program participation: Children with diverse needs participate in the full daily program — meals, outdoor play, group circle, creative activities, and peer play — with appropriate support
• Individualized approaches: Educators adapt activities, materials, and communication approaches to support each child’s individual abilities and needs
• Family partnership: Parents are expert partners in understanding their child’s needs — inclusion requires consistent, collaborative communication between families and educators
• Professional support integration: When children have involvement from therapists (speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, behavioral consultant), the daycare integrates those professionals’ recommendations into daily care
• Positive peer community: Typically-developing children learn empathy, accommodation, and appreciation of diversity — benefits that follow them throughout their lives

Children Who May Benefit From Supported Inclusion at Licensed Daycare

• Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) — social group experience is specifically beneficial for ASD development when appropriately supported
• Children with Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions
• Children with speech-language delays or communication differences
• Children with sensory processing differences
• Children with physical disabilities or mobility differences
• Children with developmental delays across domains
• Children with attention and self-regulation challenges (ADHD, developmental self-regulation delays)
• Children with social-emotional development differences

Saskatchewan’s Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP)

Saskatchewan’s Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) provides developmental services and supports for children under 6 with identified special needs. ECIP can include:

• Speech-language pathology services
• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Behavioral consultation
• Inclusion support consultation for licensed daycares
• Inclusion funding in some cases (to support additional staffing for a child with high support needs)

To access ECIP, contact Saskatchewan Health Authority or request a referral from your child’s pediatrician. The sooner supports are in place, the better the developmental outcomes — early childhood is the highest-impact window for intervention.

What to Discuss With Daisy Days Daycare Before Enrolling a Child With Special Needs

• Your child’s diagnosis or areas of developmental difference, in as much detail as you’re comfortable sharing
• What specific support strategies work best for your child
• Whether your child has active involvement with any therapists — and whether those professionals can connect with our educators
• Any physical environment modifications that would help your child access the program
• Any medical or safety considerations (seizures, medication, allergies) associated with your child’s condition
• Your expectations for how we’ll communicate about your child’s progress and any challenges

We will have an honest conversation about what we can provide and where we may need additional support. Our commitment to inclusion is genuine — we want to ensure we can serve your child well, not just say yes without the plan to deliver.

→ Full guide to daycare for children with special needs in Regina SK
→ 10 signs of quality licensed daycare in Regina SK

Contact Daisy Days Daycare to discuss your child’s inclusion needs.
306-807-3233 | info@daisydaysdaycare.com | 2007 Potts Crescent East, Regina SK S4V 2E5