KGD: Daycare Centres and Latch-key Programs

The Board of School Trustees (the “Board”) permits the use of vacant school facilities by licensed non-profit organizations that operate daycare centres and after-school programs. This use shall normally be at no cost to the organization, provided that the Board's legal obligation to administer the school budget for school purposes shall not be violated. Such use shall be on school days only and shall not extend beyond 18:00 hours.

The Board may also permit the use of school grounds for the installation of temporary facilities (portables) by licensed non-profit organizations that operate childcare programs. Requests may be considered for Board approval if the proposed program receives support from the school administrator, staff, and Parent Advisory Council, and if the program complements the educational organization and objectives of the school.

Any proposed facility must meet City Licensing and By-Law requirements and be installed, maintained, and operated at no cost to the Board. The installation should not compromise the existing uses and security of the school grounds.  School needs will always have priority, and the childcare program may be required to remove the facility upon reasonable notice from the Board.

The Board, by setting this policy, wishes to recognize the excellent work of non-profit daycare centres and to support it as an integral part of the educational system. The Board also recognizes, however, its primary obligation to provide regular elementary and secondary education to the young people of this community and the legal limitations placed upon the Board in its administration of school funds. For these reasons, it is the Board's policy to seek additional funding from the Ministry of Education that will allow school boards to make facilities available free of charge to community groups wishing to operate non-profit day care programs in the public schools.

DMT Responsibility: D-FSS