Licensed vs Home Daycare in Saskatchewan — Key Differences

When families in Saskatchewan begin exploring childcare options, they often encounter two broad categories: licensed childcare centres and home-based care (which may be licensed or unlicensed). Understanding the substantive differences between these options — particularly in terms of regulation, safety, staff qualifications, and cost — helps families make informed decisions that align with their priorities.

This guide breaks down the key distinctions between licensed centre-based daycare, licensed family home daycare, and unlicensed home care in Saskatchewan.

The Three Main Types of Childcare in Saskatchewan

Before comparing, it’s helpful to define the three main categories:

1. Licensed Childcare Centres

These are group childcare facilities operating under a provincial license issued by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. They must meet regulated requirements for staff-to-child ratios, staff qualifications, physical space, curriculum, health and safety practices, and are subject to regular provincial inspections.

2. Licensed Family Home Daycare

These are home-based care arrangements where a provider operates from their private residence under a provincial license. Saskatchewan licenses family home daycares that care for a maximum of 8 children (including the provider’s own children under 12 years). Licensed family homes are inspected and must meet provincial standards, though the specific requirements differ from centre-based care.

3. Unlicensed Home Daycare / Informal Care

These are arrangements where an individual cares for children in a private home without a provincial license. In Saskatchewan, caring for more than 8 children (including the caregiver’s own) for more than 2 hours per day in a private home technically requires licensing. However, care for fewer children in this arrangement falls outside the licensing system entirely. There is no provincial oversight, inspection, ratio requirement, or qualification mandate for unlicensed arrangements.

Staff-to-Child Ratios

Regulated ratios exist to ensure that each child receives adequate supervision and individual attention.

Care Type	Regulated Ratios
Licensed Centre (infant)	1 ECE per 3 infants
Licensed Centre (toddler)	1 ECE per 5 toddlers
Licensed Centre (preschool)	1 ECE per 10 children
Licensed Family Home	Max 8 children total (including provider’s own children under 12)
Unlicensed Home Care	No regulated ratio

For centre-based care, the ratios are room-specific and enforced. Multiple trained staff members are present. A child is never in the care of a single individual.

For unlicensed home care, there is no regulated ratio. A single caregiver may be caring for any number of children without restriction (below the threshold that triggers licensing requirements).

Staff Qualifications

Licensed Childcare Centres: Saskatchewan requires licensed childcare centres to be supervised by staff with recognized Early Childhood Education credentials. ECE programs provide specific training in child development, curriculum design, behaviour guidance, health and safety, and responsive caregiving practices.

Licensed Family Home Daycare: Providers must meet minimum training requirements set by the province, which may include approved childcare training courses. The requirements are less extensive than those for centre-based ECE credentials.

Unlicensed Home Care: There are no qualification requirements. A home caregiver in an unlicensed arrangement may have no formal training in child development, First Aid, or childcare practices — or they may have extensive experience. There is no way for a family to verify qualifications through a regulatory body.

Inspection and Accountability

Licensed Centres: Subject to regular inspections by provincial licensing officers. Inspections assess compliance with regulated standards and can result in compliance orders, conditions, or license suspension if standards are not met. Families can request inspection records.

Licensed Family Homes: Also subject to provincial inspection, though the frequency and scope may differ from centre-based inspections.

Unlicensed Home Care: No provincial inspection or accountability mechanism exists. Families rely entirely on self-reported information from the caregiver.

CWELCC Fee Reduction Eligibility

This is a significant financial distinction.

Licensed Centres (CWELCC-registered): The federal-provincial CWELCC agreement applies to licensed childcare centres that have registered as participants. Enrolled families benefit from the provincial fee reduction, bringing the average cost toward $10 per day.

Licensed Family Homes: Some licensed family home daycares have also registered as CWELCC participants. Eligibility requires the family home to hold a valid provincial license.

Unlicensed Home Care: Not eligible for CWELCC fee reductions. Families bear the full cost of the care arrangement.

When comparing costs, the CWELCC factor often reverses the apparent cost advantage of informal home care. A centre charging the CWELCC-reduced rate may cost less than an unlicensed home arrangement at standard rates.

Child Care Subsidy Eligibility

Saskatchewan’s Child Care Subsidy is available to lower-income families enrolled in licensed care arrangements — both licensed centres and licensed family homes. It is not available for unlicensed care.

Continuity of Care and Backup Arrangements

A practical consideration that is easy to overlook: what happens when the caregiver is unavailable?

Licensed Centres: Have multiple staff on duty and can typically manage caregiver absence without closing. Parents are not usually required to find backup care when an individual staff member is ill.

Licensed Family Homes: Typically operated by a single provider. When the provider is ill or unavailable, care is often cancelled for the day. Families must have backup arrangements in place.

Unlicensed Home Care: Same continuity risk as licensed family home care — often more significant, as there is typically no substitute caregiver arrangement.

Curriculum and Developmental Programming

Licensed Centres: Required to follow a documented curriculum or program plan aligned with provincial early learning guidelines. Programs are designed and implemented by trained ECE staff.

Licensed Family Homes: Programming requirements exist but are generally less detailed than for centres. The quality of programming in family homes varies considerably.

Unlicensed Home Care: No curriculum or programming requirements. The developmental content of the day depends entirely on the individual caregiver’s initiative and knowledge.

Which Is Right for Your Family?

There is no universally correct answer. Some families value the home-like setting of family daycare, particularly for young infants. Others prioritize the regulatory accountability, qualified staff, and CWELCC accessibility of licensed centres.

For families who:

• Prioritize regulatory oversight and accountability → Licensed Centre
• Prioritize CWELCC fee access → Licensed Centre or Licensed Family Home (if CWELCC-registered)
• Value a smaller group environment → Licensed Family Home
• Are concerned about qualification standards → Licensed Centre (strongest regulated qualification requirements)

Licensed Centre Care at Daisy Days Daycare

Daisy Days Daycare is a fully licensed, provincially inspected childcare centre in Regina, SK, operating under Saskatchewan’s Child Care Act since 2010. We are a registered CWELCC participant serving infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children.

View our programs or contact us to discuss enrollment.

FAQ

Q: Is unlicensed home daycare illegal in Saskatchewan?

A: Unlicensed care for fewer than 8 children (including the provider’s own) in a private home is not prohibited by provincial legislation, as it falls below the licensing threshold. However, there is no regulatory oversight, inspection, or accountability for such arrangements.

Q: Are licensed family homes as safe as licensed centres?

A: Both licensed family homes and licensed centres must meet provincial standards and are subject to provincial inspection. In practice, the qualification requirements and staffing structures differ. Centre-based care has more stringent ECE credential requirements and multiple staff on duty at all times.