Schools subject to the duty

In accordance with section 2 of O. Reg. 221/11, school boards are required to ensure the provision of a before and after school program for every elementary school serving students in the primary and/or junior division (for example, from Kindergarten to Grade 6) where there is sufficient demand and/or viability.

Programs must be available on every instructional school day.

A before and/or after school program may not be required if there is insufficient demand. Please see planning and community engagement section for more information.

Considerations

Programs may operate on non-instructional days (such as, professional development days, winter, spring and summer breaks) if there is a need required by families within the community.

Eligible providers: school board-operated or third party

Requirement

In accordance with the Education Act and regulation, school boards may directly operate before and after school programs or they may enter into an agreement with a third party that is either:

  • a licensed child care centre that is eligible to receive fee subsidy payments for children
  • enrolled in the program
  • an authorized recreational and skill building program

Third party programs

Considerations

When selecting potential service providers, school boards are encouraged to work with their local service system managers to select third party operators that have the capacity to:

  • deliver high quality before and after school programs
  • collaborate and integrate services with community and school partners
  • address the diverse needs of all children and families in the community

Where a school board is proposing to work with a licensed child care centre to meet the expanded duty and wishes to license space in the school to deliver the program, providers are encouraged to begin the licensing application process as early as possible to prevent delays.

School boards have the authority to decide which organizations they enter into agreements with for the purposes of meeting the duty. School boards may enter into agreements with municipalities, for-profit or not-for-profit providers. This flexibility may assist school boards in meeting local child care needs in communities across the province.

Service system managers continue to have discretion about the providers with which they enter into purchase of service agreements. On-going communication and collaboration with the service system manager is essential.

Entering into agreements with another school board

Considerations

In accordance with the Act and regulations, two or more school boards may enter into an agreement together for one of the school boards to directly operate or enter into an agreement with a third party to operate a before and/or after school program in a school of the board, for students of another school board.