Saskatchewan is temporarily halting approvals for new child care operator licences as the province shifts focus from rapid expansion to stabilizing its early learning system.
The Ministry of Education confirmed in a May 31 statement that it is nearing its target of 28,000 licensed child care spaces. Applications are not being rejected outright but are instead being held to assess community-specific demand.
Applicants express frustration over licence denials
Kinza Nissar, a child care operator applicant in Saskatchewan, said she was denied a licence in January despite previously running a licensed daycare for over a year. Her family had invested significant time and resources into the service, which served 10 enrolled children before closing when her sister left for further education.
“I was very mad and a little sad because we had to tell the families we could no longer provide care,” Nissar said. She noted that at least 15 families in her area lack access to licensed daycares, forcing long commutes for parents.
Opposition critic questions licence pause
Matt Love, the Opposition’s education critic, argued the decision to delay approvals sends the wrong message. “This is hard work. No one is getting rich off providing child care, and we have people willing to do it,” he said. “The government is saying, ‘No thanks, we don’t need your help.’”
The province has indicated it aims to address gaps in rural communities as part of its stabilization efforts. Applicants and critics are watching closely to see how the policy evolves.
