Out of school care program popular at NLPS schools

LAKELAND - Throughout the year, some students who attend Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) also attend out of school care programs that are operated by the school division.

During the most recent NLPS board of trustees meeting, which took place in Bonnyville on Oct. 23, Lorrie Makepeace, director of learning – K-6 instructional support for the school division, provided board members with an update on the division's daycare, preschool and out of school care programs.

In additional to the 190 students enroled in preschool throughout the division, there are 120 students also attending out of school care programming.

According to Nicole Garner, a spokesperson with NLPS, out of school care is for families who require childcare for students in the hours immediately before and after school, as well as on days throughout the year when classes are out.

Generally, she added, the service is offered for short periods of time after school.

"This is a service that is highly valued by our parents as it can be difficult to find childcare for a short time after school, and they also don't have to make arrangements for children to be picked up at school and then transported somewhere else for childcare," Garner told Lakeland This Week.

NLPS runs out of school care programs at Vera M. Welsh Elementary School in Lac La Biche, Cold Lakeland Elementary School, and Duclos School in Bonnyville.

Although their classes may be over for the day, those who attend out of school care spend more time learning - while having fun doing so.

As Garner explains, this is an accredited program that provides instruction with an emphasis on areas like the arts, multiculturalism, physical activity, and child leadership. Students participate in a range of activities that include games, crafts, and even field trips.

Garner said the school division doesn't receive any funding from the provincial government to operate the out of school care program. Costs are covered through fees paid by parents.

"Parents can apply for a government subsidy to reduce their fees," she said.