Hope's Home Announces Closure of Warman Child Care Facility
Hope's Home, an organization providing medically inclusive early learning and child care services across Saskatchewan, has announced the closure of its Warman location after nine years of operation. The facility will shut its doors in June 2026, citing insufficient enrollment to justify continued operations.
Low Enrollment and Transportation Challenges Cited
CEO Lisa Wyatt explained that the Warman location typically served only two or three children requiring specialized care, with enrollment fluctuating over time. "We weren't seeing as many kids in need as we were equipped for," Wyatt stated. The center, licensed to accommodate 90 children, struggled with consistent attendance due to transportation issues for families traveling from Saskatoon.
"Then transportation became an issue," Wyatt added, noting the difficulty for some families to make the trip regularly. This logistical challenge contributed significantly to the decision to close the Warman facility.
Saskatoon Expansion Contrasts Warman Closure
While the Warman location prepares to close, Hope's Home is expanding its presence in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon center, which opened in 2024, has a substantial wait-list for children requiring nursing care. "We have a very large wait-list for children who require nursing care because it's in better proximity to the city of Saskatoon," Wyatt explained.
The Saskatoon facility is designed to handle 144 children, though currently only 90 spaces are operational. Wyatt hopes to open the remaining spaces this fall to address the growing demand.
Transition Plan and Continuity of Care
Hope's Home is working to ensure a smooth transition for affected families. "Our goal is for there to be a new operator named and to take over when we leave, so there's continuity of care and families are not being displaced without services," Wyatt emphasized. The organization has provided additional notice to facilitate this transition and is advocating for staff retention during the changeover.
Wyatt also mentioned willingness to sell equipment to make the transition easier for any new operator. "If I have to sell the equipment to make it easier for the new operator to come in after us, we will have those conversations once we know who that is," she said.
Background and Provincial Context
Hope's Home was founded in 2005 in Regina and has since expanded across Saskatchewan. The organization recently opened a four-space supportive living home in Saskatoon in June 2025, though Wyatt clarified this development did not impact the Warman closure decision.
According to a 2020 report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Saskatchewan had the third highest number of children and youth with medical complexities among Canadian provinces and territories during 2015-2016, with 1,168 per 100,000. This statistic underscores the ongoing need for specialized child care services in the province.
Wyatt stressed that children at the Warman location had diverse needs requiring extra support but didn't necessarily require the nursing care that Hope's Home specializes in providing. The organization remains committed to serving children with medical complexities while adapting to changing community needs across Saskatchewan.
