Regulated vs Unregulated Child Care in Saskatchewan (A Parent-Friendly Guide)

If you are searching for child care in Saskatchewan, you will hear the words regulated, licensed, and unregulated a lot. They matter, but not always in the way parents expect.

This guide breaks down what regulated vs unregulated means in Saskatchewan, what the rules cover, and the questions that actually help you decide.

First, the plain-language difference

Regulated child care

Regulated child care is monitored by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Education. The Government of Saskatchewan describes regulated care as care provided in a child care centre or family child care home, with standards outlined in The Child Care Act, 2014 and The Child Care Regulations, 2015, and licences reviewed every year.

In everyday terms, regulated usually means:

• there is a posted licence
• there are established ratios and capacity limits
• there are inspections and oversight processes

Unregulated child care

Unregulated child care is not regulated or monitored by the Government of Saskatchewan in the same way.

That does not automatically make it unsafe, but it does mean the responsibility shifts more heavily onto you to ask questions, understand the caregiver’s setup, and confirm they are operating within the permitted number and ages of children.

One Saskatchewan-specific detail parents care about: $10/day fees

In Saskatchewan, the $10/day fee reduction applies to regulated care for children under six. If affordability is the driving factor in your search, this is worth understanding early:

Saskatchewan $10-a-Day Child Care Fees (What It Covers and What to Ask)

Ratios and limits (what the rules say)

This is where Saskatchewan is refreshingly specific.

Child care centres

According to the Government of Saskatchewan, one worker can care for a maximum of:

• 3 infants
• 5 toddlers
• 10 preschool-age children
• 15 school-age children

Family child care homes (regulated or unregulated)

According to the Government of Saskatchewan, one provider may care for a maximum of 8 children. Within that total, there are also limits on how many can be younger children, including infants and toddlers.

If you want to go deeper, the provincial page includes examples of allowed combinations.

Common misunderstandings (clearing the air)

• Regulated does not mean perfect. It means there are standards and oversight. You still need to tour, ask questions, and trust your gut.
• Unregulated does not mean lawless. There are still limits on the number and ages of children one person can care for. You just have less formal visibility into how the provider operates day to day.
• A bridge option can be a good option. Many families use a temporary arrangement while they wait for a regulated spot that fits long term.

How to verify that care is regulated

You do not have to be awkward about this. It is a normal parent question.

Here is what we recommend:

1. Ask directly: "Is this program regulated by the Ministry of Education?"
2. Look for the licence: the Government of Saskatchewan notes that regulated facilities have a licence posted for parents to view.
3. Confirm the care type: centre vs family home, and which age group(s) they serve.
4. Ask about ratios in the specific room your child would join.

If a program is truly regulated, these questions are routine.

How to find regulated child care in Saskatchewan

The Government of Saskatchewan provides a searchable map for regulated child care providers, and notes that the Ministry does not keep a list of unregulated child care.

You can also use Blueberry to shortlist providers quickly and keep your search organised:

• Regina daycares
• Saskatoon daycares
• Start a broader search: Start your daycare search

If you want a step-by-step plan for the full search, start here: Saskatchewan Daycare Playbook 2025.

Questions that matter on a tour (regulated or unregulated)

Some tour questions are nice-to-have. These are the ones that change the outcome.

Safety and supervision

• Who is the backup if the primary caregiver is sick?
• How are drop-off and pick-up handled, and who is allowed to pick up?
• What is the plan for outdoor play in winter, smoke days, and extreme heat?
• Do staff have current first aid and CPR training? (If it is a home, is the caregiver trained?)

Daily rhythm

• What does a typical day look like for my child’s age?
• How do naps work, and what happens if my child does not sleep?
• How are meals and snacks handled?

Communication

• How do you share updates and concerns?
• How do you handle biting, hitting, or repeated behaviour issues?

Boundaries and policies

• What is your illness policy?
• What is your late pick-up policy?
• What is the notice period if either of us needs to end care?

If you want something printable, use our tour companion: Saskatchewan Daycare Tour Companion.

A practical take: what most families actually do

When regulated spots are tight, families often blend strategies:

• regulated care as the long-term goal
• a short-term bridge (part-time, different neighbourhood, different schedule)
• a system to keep waitlists warm without living in your inbox

That last part is where many searches fall apart. Nobody has time to remember who they emailed, what was said, and when to follow up. If you want one place for your shortlist and follow-ups, Blueberry can help.

Sources

• Government of Saskatchewan: Child Care in Saskatchewan (regulated vs unregulated definitions, ratios, and fee details)
• Government of Saskatchewan: Find a regulated child care provider in your community