Apply to Start a Regulated Child Care Centre

Early learning and child care centres promote the growth and development of young children, support families with access to reliable child care and benefit your community.

Funding for the development of new regulated child care centre spaces is available from the Ministry of Education. Proposals from parent groups, non-profit corporations, co-operatives, municipalities and other interested not-for-profit organizations are being accepted and reviewed throughout the year.

Regulated child care centres are operated by a board of directors which is either a:

• board with a majority who are parent users; or
• community board.

The Early Learning and Child Care: Child Care Centre Board of Directors Guiding Document and appendices provide information on the responsibilities of a board.

A centre may provide services to:

• children ranging in age from six weeks up to and including 12 years of age; and
• a maximum of 90 children.

Financial supports are provided to help with the costs of developing and operating a child care centre in Saskatchewan. Learn more about the Grants Available for Regulated Child Care Centres.

While the ministry prioritizes applications from the not-for-profit sector, for-profit business corporations and individuals over the age of 18 may also apply. It is important to note centres operated as a for-profit business model are not eligible for government funding.

1. Download the Opening a Regulated Child Care Centre Checklist to help you through the development process.
2. Determine the child care need in your community to understand what other early learning and child care services already exist. It is recommended to complete the Survey of Need for Child Care Services.
3. Consider partnerships in your community such as the local municipality, school division(s), community-based organizations and local businesses. Learn more about how your municipality can support child care development.
4. Complete the online Child Care Centre Development Information Session to learn more about the centre development process and child care legislation.

To be eligible for Ministry of Education grant funding, you must be incorporated as a co-operative, non-profit corporation or municipality. Find out how to become incorporated by visiting:

• Co-operatives First
• Information Services Corporations (ISC)

5. Complete and submit your Community Needs Assessment Form for review. The information you provide will be used to assess the preparedness of your organization for child care center development, the child care need of your community, and your organization's priorities for serving children and families.

Download the Child Care Community Needs Assessment Form

Application packages should include a proposed development and projected operating budget. Please use the Guiding Document and the Budget Template for Centres if you do not already have a prepared budget. To strengthen the application, you may also include a business plan and letters of support from your community. Please be aware that applicants may be asked for additional information to support their request.

Instructions for submitting your Child Care Community Needs Assessment form are included at the bottom of the Community Needs Assessment form.

Once your application package is submitted, ministry officials work with you to address any questions or concerns to complete the application. New space allocations and associated space development funding approvals take place throughout the year.

Proposals demonstrating the potential to provide quality service and become operational within a reasonable time frame within a community that has a high need for child care are given higher consideration for approval.

For more information, please contact cwcentredev@gov.sk.ca.