Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Despite the presence of a private company that already offers before and after school care across the street from a Chilliwack public school, the Chilliwack School District says it will offer a similar program at Unsworth Elementary starting this fall, pending the approval of its license, with certified education assistants. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack School District

Despite private company already offering this service, SD33 to launch before and after school care at Chilliwack school

May 8, 2024 | 9:06 AM

CHILLIWACK — While a private company already offers before and after school care across the street from a Chilliwack public school, the Chilliwack School District says it will offer its own program at Unsworth Elementary starting this fall, pending the approval of its license.

In an email sent to Unsworth Elementary parents Wednesday morning (May 8), SD33 reports that its Unsworth care program, set to open in September 2024, will employ certified education assistants to provide before and after school care. The program is intended to offer a continuity of learning for students across the school day while simultaneously creating licensed care for parents who may work longer hours or commute to work outside of Chilliwack.

The proposed hours are 7 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. before school and 2:18 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. after school.

“Not only is it convenient for parents to have school and care in one location, Early Childhood Educators, Education Assistants and our Primary teachers have a shared philosophy of learning, using B.C.’s Early Learning Framework as their guide,” SD33 wrote in its email to parents.

The proposed fees are $205 per month for kindergarten students, $410 per month for grades 1-5. The fees listed reflect savings through the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative. Absent the initiative, the monthly fees would be $525. Eligible families may be able to apply for the B.C. Affordable Child Care Benefit Subsidy to assist with child care fees.

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For more information, email childcare-registration@sd33.bc.ca.

Tree House Children’s Centre, located at 5696 Unsworth Road just steps from the school, already provides before and after school day care as well as a licensed preschool. The after school program at Tree House utilizes the playgrounds at Unsworth Elementary for a portion of its afternoon sessions.

It should also be noted that Tree House Children’s Centre provides coverage over Christmas break, spring break, and summer. It’s not known if the SD33-led program will do the same.