Infant Care in Regina SK — What to Expect (0–18 Months)

Placing your infant in daycare for the first time is one of the most significant decisions a parent makes. For many families, it is also a deeply emotional one. Understanding what a licensed infant care program actually looks like — what happens during the day, how staff interact with babies, and what safety standards are in place — can help parents feel confident in their choice.

This article outlines what to expect from a licensed infant care program in Regina, SK, including regulatory requirements, daily routines, developmental focus areas, and key questions to ask when selecting the right facility for your baby.

What Is Licensed Infant Care?

Licensed infant care refers to regulated childcare provided in a facility that holds a valid license under Saskatchewan’s Child Care Act. Licensing is issued and enforced by the provincial government and requires facilities to meet specific standards in several areas, including:

• Staff-to-child ratios
• Physical space and safety requirements
• Staff qualifications and training
• Curriculum and programming requirements
• Health and hygiene practices

Unlicensed care arrangements — whether in a home or informal setting — are not subject to these requirements and are not inspected by the province. For infant care in particular, the regulated standards at licensed centres provide a meaningful layer of safety and developmental assurance.

Staff-to-Child Ratios for Infant Care in Saskatchewan

One of the most important regulatory requirements for infant programs is the staff-to-child ratio. In Saskatchewan, licensed facilities are required to maintain a maximum ratio of 1 Early Childhood Educator per 3 infants for children under 18 months of age.

This ratio is one of the most protective in the Canadian childcare landscape. It ensures that each baby receives a high level of individual attention, that feeding and diapering schedules can be managed safely, and that each infant’s daily needs are responded to promptly and consistently.

When evaluating an infant care program, always confirm that the facility maintains compliance with the regulated ratio. Ask how many infants are enrolled in the infant room and how many staff are consistently on duty at any given time.

A Typical Day in an Infant Care Program

While every baby is unique and schedules are flexible to meet individual needs, a structured rhythm to the day is a hallmark of quality infant care. Here is what a typical infant care day generally includes:

Morning arrival and settling in

Caregivers greet each infant and their parent, exchanging information about how the baby slept, ate, and is feeling. This transition time is handled gently, with caregivers taking time to comfort infants as parents leave.

Feeding and nutrition

Licensed infant programs follow each baby’s individual feeding schedule. For breastfed infants, facilities store and handle expressed milk according to provincial health standards. For formula-fed babies, preparation follows documented protocols. Solid foods are introduced in line with the parent’s and physician’s guidance.

Sensory and developmental play

Even very young infants benefit from age-appropriate sensory stimulation. Quality programs offer tummy time, high-contrast visual stimulation, gentle music, soft textures, and face-to-face interaction with caregivers — all of which support brain development in the critical early months.

Sleep routines

Infant sleep is managed individually, following each baby’s natural sleep cues. Licensed facilities adhere to Safe Sleep guidelines — infants sleep on their backs in individual approved sleep spaces, free of loose bedding.

Outdoor time

Weather permitting, infants benefit from fresh air and outdoor sensory experiences. Many licensed facilities use strollers or carriers to take infants outside daily.

End-of-day report

Quality infant programs provide daily summaries to parents covering feeding, sleep, diaper changes, activity, and any notable observations about the baby’s mood or health.

What Developmental Goals Does a Licensed Infant Program Support?

The first 18 months of life represent the most rapid period of brain development a person will ever experience. A quality licensed infant care program actively supports development across multiple domains:

Social-emotional development: Responsive caregiving — where staff consistently respond to an infant’s cues — builds secure attachment, which is the foundation for all future social and emotional development.

Language development: Talking, singing, and narrating daily activities to babies — even before they can respond verbally — builds neural pathways critical for language acquisition. Quality infant programs prioritize rich verbal interaction throughout the day.

Cognitive development: Exploration through age-appropriate objects, textures, sounds, and visual stimuli supports early cognitive and sensory processing development.

Physical development: Tummy time, supported sitting, and opportunities for movement support gross and fine motor skill development.

Key Questions to Ask When Choosing Infant Care in Regina

When visiting a licensed infant care facility in Regina, the following questions will help you evaluate the quality and suitability of the program:

1. What is your current staff-to-infant ratio, and how is it maintained throughout the day?

2. What qualifications do infant room staff hold?

3. How do you handle the transition period for new infants?

4. What is your sleep policy, and how do you follow Safe Sleep guidelines?

5. How are feeding schedules managed for breastfed infants?

6. How do you communicate with parents during the day about their baby?

7. What is your illness policy — at what point is a parent called?

8. Are you licensed by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Education?

9. Are you a CWELCC-approved facility?

A quality facility will answer these questions clearly and confidently. Staff should be warm, engaged, and genuinely enthusiastic about working with infants.

Infant Care at Daisy Days Daycare, Regina

Daisy Days Daycare provides licensed infant care in Regina, SK, for children from birth through 18 months. Our infant program is staffed by qualified Early Childhood Educators who are experienced in responsive, relationship-based infant care. We maintain Saskatchewan’s regulated staff-to-infant ratios and follow documented protocols for feeding, sleep, health, and communication with families.

We are a fully licensed and CWELCC-approved facility, meaning the fee reduction applies to our infant care program. To find out more about our infant program or to check current availability, contact us or view our full range of programs.

Frequently Asked Questions — Infant Care in Regina

Q: What is the youngest age you can start licensed daycare in Saskatchewan?

A: Saskatchewan licensed facilities may accept infants from birth, subject to available licensed capacity in the infant room. Many families register on waitlists before their baby is born due to high demand for infant spots.

Q: How long is the typical waitlist for infant care in Regina?

A: High-quality infant care spots in Regina are in significant demand. Waitlists at licensed facilities can range from several months to over a year, particularly for the September intake. Registering early is strongly advised.

Q: What should I bring to daycare for my infant?

A: Typically, labelled bottles, expressed milk or formula, diapers, change of clothes (multiple), comfort item if needed, and any documentation from your physician regarding allergies or health considerations.

Q: Is CWELCC available for infant care?

A: Yes. The CWELCC fee reduction applies across all age groups at participating licensed facilities, including the infant program.