Returning to Work After Maternity Leave — Childcare Planning in Regina SK | Daisy Days

Returning to work after maternity or parental leave in Regina SK is one of the most logistically complex transitions a new parent faces. Childcare planning is the central piece — getting it right protects your career, your child’s wellbeing, and your family’s finances. At Daisy Days Daycare in Regina SK, we help families navigate this transition every year. Here’s your complete guide.

The Maternity/Parental Leave to Daycare Timeline in Canada

In Canada, standard Employment Insurance (EI) parental leave provides:

• Standard benefits: 40 weeks at 55% of insured earnings (sharable between parents)
• Extended benefits: 69 weeks at 33% of insured earnings
• Maternity benefits: 15 additional weeks for the birth parent

Most Regina SK families take either a 12-month (standard + maternity) or 18-month (extended + maternity) leave. Plan your daycare start date backward from your return-to-work date — and remember daycare waitlists don’t wait for your leave to end.

Month-by-Month Planning Timeline

During Pregnancy — Month 1-9

• Research licensed CWELCC-enrolled daycares in Regina SK near your home or workplace
• Contact Daisy Days Daycare to join the infant waitlist — earlier is always better
• Tour 2-3 centres and identify your preferred choice
• Discuss parental leave sharing with your partner if applicable
• Notify your employer of your planned return date (general)

Month 6-9 of Leave

• Confirm your return-to-work date with your employer (required notification period varies)
• Confirm your daycare start date with Daisy Days Daycare — ensure it aligns with your return
• Begin paperwork: enrollment forms, immunization records, emergency contacts
• Discuss schedule and gradual transition plan with your daycare

1 Month Before Return to Work

• Complete all enrollment paperwork and pay any registration fees
• Purchase daycare supplies (labelled clothing, bag, comfort item)
• Confirm your childcare backup plan (who handles sick days?)
• Discuss with your employer any flexible arrival time on transition days

The Gradual Transition (2 Weeks Before Full Start)

• Week 1: Short visits (1-2 hours, parent present) → Half days (4 hours)
• Week 2: Full days — parent leaves the building. Build up to your regular schedule.
• Daisy Days Daycare offers gradual transition support — discuss specifics with our director.

CWELCC and the Financial Case for Returning to Work

One of the most important conversations every Saskatchewan family needs to have before returning from leave is the financial one. With CWELCC at approximately $10/day, the math has fundamentally shifted:

Scenario (1 Child)	Pre-CWELCC	With CWELCC
Monthly daycare cost (full-time)	$1,100-1,430	~$220
Break-even salary needed	High income required	Minimum wage sufficient
Net household benefit of returning	Often marginal	Strong at nearly all income levels

Emotional Preparation for Parents

Returning to work is emotionally hard for many parents — particularly those returning from 12-18 months of leave. Anticipate:

• Guilt at drop-off, especially in the first 1-2 weeks — this is normal and temporary
• Grief at “lost time” with your child — honour this, it’s real
• Relief at adult engagement, career purpose, and professional identity — also valid and normal
• Adjustment for everyone in the household, including your child

The research is clear: children whose parents return to work and use quality licensed daycare do as well developmentally as children with a stay-at-home parent — when the daycare is high quality. Daisy Days Daycare’s commitment is to be worthy of the trust you place in us every single day.

→ Infant separation anxiety at daycare — what to expect
→ Daycare waitlist guide for Regina SK 2026
→ Full childcare planning timeline

Contact Daisy Days Daycare to plan your return-to-work childcare.
306-807-3233 | info@daisydaysdaycare.com | 2007 Potts Crescent East, Regina SK S4V 2E5