EXCERPTS:
GUELPH - The Upper Grand District School Board signed agreements with childcare providers to offer before- and after-school care at 24 schools in the board.
Operators signed three-year contracts with the option of renewing for up to five more years.
The agreements are prompted by implementation of full-day kindergarten. It was the Ministry of Education's vision that schools would offer an extended-day program to complement full-day kindergarten and provide a seamless day for students who need it.
Initially there was no uptake for the program when full-day kindergarten was rolled out, but superintendent of finance Janice Wright told trustees at the board meeting Tuesday night that a survey was handed out during kindergarten registration this year to gauge the level of interest of families and it has increased significantly.
The board also hired a manager to ensure all operators have the information they need, such as fire plans, floor plans and other material, to get their licenses if they don't already and work with the municipalities on subsidized rates for families who qualify.
"She's very popular right now," Wright joked of the manager. "She's got a lot of work to do before September."
Places will be offered to junior and senior kindergarten students first and, if there's space, to other students age six to 12. Students may attend a daycare centre outside of their school area, but transportation is not provided.
Cost will be up to the operator, but Wright said rates for before-school care range from $7 to $10 a day; $11 to $17 a day for after-school care; and $18 to $27 a day for both. Hours are 7 a.m. to entry bell and dismissal bell to 6 p.m.
The program runs only on instructional days. Coverage for holidays and P.A. days may be offered, but that will be up to the operator.
The board urges parents to keep their current childcare arrangement until operators are ready to sign up students.
The program will be offered in September 2013 at the following schools:
Mitchell Woods Public School
Rickson Ridge Public School
Westwood Public School
Edward Johnson Public School
Ken Danby Public School
Ottawa Crescent Public School
FA Hamilton Public School
King George Public School (holding)
Taylor Evans Public School
Credit Meadows Elementary School
Island Lake Public School
Elora Public School
Glenbrook Elementary School
Aberfoyle Public School
Brisbane Public School
Centennial Hylands Elementary School
Erin Public School
Grand Valley & District Public School
Hyland Heights Elementary School
Palmerston Public School
Parkinson Centennial Public School
Primrose Elementary School
Princess Margaret Public School
Victoria Cross Public School