Before and After School Care in Regina — A Parent Overview

For many working families in Regina, the school day doesn’t quite line up with the workday. Before-school care starts before 8:30 a.m., and after-school care bridges the gap between 3:00 p.m. and the end of the workday. For children between kindergarten and Grade 6, this can add up to two or more hours of unsupervised time — unless a quality school-age care arrangement is in place.

This article explains how licensed before and after school care works in Regina, what to look for in a quality program, and how the CWELCC fee reduction may apply.

What Is Before and After School Care?

Before and after school care (BASC) is a licensed childcare service designed specifically for school-age children, typically from kindergarten through Grade 6 (ages 5 to 12). Programs operate during the hours surrounding the school day:

• Before school: Opening from approximately 7:00–7:30 a.m. until school start (typically 8:30–8:50 a.m.)
• After school: From school dismissal (typically 3:00–3:30 p.m.) until closing (typically 5:30–6:00 p.m.)

Many programs also offer Professional Development Day care and School Holiday programming for days when school is not in session.

In Saskatchewan, before and after school programs offered through a licensed childcare facility must meet provincial licensing requirements, including staff-to-child ratios, staff qualifications, physical space standards, and programming requirements.

Who Is Before and After School Care Designed For?

BASC programs are appropriate for children aged 5 to 12 who are enrolled in elementary school. The specific age range within a program varies — some centres serve kindergarten to Grade 3, while others serve up to Grade 6.

Before and after school care is particularly beneficial for:

• Children of parents who work standard full-time schedules that extend beyond school hours
• Families where a parent works shift work, evenings, or has unpredictable hours
• Single-parent households managing work and school schedules
• Children who benefit from supervised, structured programming rather than unstructured afterschool time at home

What Does a Quality Before and After School Program Look Like?

Quality before and after school care is distinct from simply providing supervision. A well-designed program recognizes that school-age children have already spent their day in a structured academic environment — and need programming that offers choice, independence, active play, and social connection.

Morning before-school program (approximately 7:00–8:30 a.m.):

• Quiet activities — reading, puzzles, drawing — as children arrive and wake up
• Breakfast if not yet eaten at home
• Free play and social time with peers
• Preparation for the school day (collecting belongings, reviewing schedule)

Afternoon after-school program (approximately 3:00–6:00 p.m.):

• Snack — children arriving from school are often hungry
• Homework time — a quiet, supervised period for completing school assignments
• Active indoor or outdoor play — physical activity after a day of seated learning
• Creative or project-based activities — arts, crafts, STEM projects, games
• Unstructured social time — children choose activities and interact with peers

Saskatchewan Regulations for School-Age Care

Licensed school-age programs in Saskatchewan operate under the Child Care Act and must meet specific standards:

Staff-to-child ratio: For school-age children (5–12 years), the regulated maximum ratio is 1 staff member per 15 children for licensed programs.

Staff qualifications: Program staff must meet Saskatchewan’s educational requirements for childcare workers, including Early Childhood Education credentials for supervisors.

Physical space: Licensed school-age programs must meet minimum space requirements per child and maintain safe, appropriate facilities.

Programming: Facilities must offer age-appropriate programming that supports the developmental needs of school-age children — not simply supervision.

Transportation Between School and the Daycare

One of the most common practical questions families have about before and after school care is transportation. In Regina, arrangements vary by facility:

• On-site school care: Some elementary schools host licensed before and after school programs directly within the school building.
• Off-site care with transportation: Some licensed facilities are located near schools and provide transportation between the school and the centre. This should be confirmed directly with the facility.
• Parent drop-off and pickup: In some arrangements, parents drop children at the daycare before school and the facility manages morning transport, or parents pick children up from school and bring them to the centre.

Clarifying transportation logistics is essential before finalizing an enrollment decision.

Does the CWELCC Reduction Apply to School-Age Care?

Yes. The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement covers school-age programs offered by CWELCC-registered licensed facilities. This means that families enrolled in before and after school care at a CWELCC-participating facility benefit from the same provincial fee reduction as families in infant, toddler, and preschool programs.

Given that school-age before and after school fees were typically in the $400–$650/month range before CWELCC, the reduction represents meaningful savings for families relying on this care.

How to Find and Choose School-Age Care in Regina

When exploring before and after school care options in Regina, consider the following:

1. Proximity to your child’s school. Transportation logistics are a significant factor. Confirm whether the facility provides transport or whether parent-managed transport is required.

2. Operating hours. Confirm that the facility’s hours align with your actual work schedule, including buffer time for commuting.

3. Professional Development Day and holiday care. If your work schedule doesn’t accommodate school closure days, confirm whether the facility offers full-day programming on PD Days and holidays.

4. Program quality. Visit the facility and ask to observe the after-school program in action. Is there a genuine program, or simply supervision? Are children engaged and happy?

5. Licensing status. Confirm that the facility holds a valid Saskatchewan childcare license and is a registered CWELCC participant.

6. Staff consistency. School-age children benefit from consistent staff they know and trust. Ask about staff turnover and whether the same educators work the after-school program daily.

Before and After School Care at Daisy Days Daycare

Daisy Days Daycare offers licensed before and after school care for school-age children in Regina, SK. Our program provides structured, engaging programming for children from kindergarten through elementary school age, in a safe and nurturing environment operated by qualified Early Childhood Educators.

As a CWELCC-approved facility, the provincial fee reduction applies to our school-age program. To find out more about current enrollment availability for before and after school care, contact us or view our full programs page.

FAQ

Q: What grade levels does before and after school care typically serve?

A: Most licensed BASC programs in Regina serve kindergarten through Grade 6, though the range varies by facility.

Q: How is before and after school care different from a babysitter?

A: Licensed programs are provincially regulated, staffed by qualified ECEs, and provide structured developmental programming — unlike informal babysitting arrangements which have no regulatory oversight.

Q: Can I enroll my child in before-school only, or after-school only?

A: Most facilities offer flexible enrollment, including before-school only, after-school only, or combined before and after school care. Confirm the options directly with your preferred facility.