The Limestone District School Board (LDSB) is expanding access to before and after school care through a new in-house Before and After School Program (BASP) pilot.
This initiative builds on feedback gathered from families, school councils, child care providers, and community partners, which highlighted a growing need for additional program spaces and improved access to care in some school communities. This pilot program will be offered at the following schools:
- École Maple Elementary School
- Harrowsmith Public School
- Granite Ridge Education Centre
- Tamworth Elementary School
The LDSB will directly operate licensed before and after school programs that are enrolled in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. This pilot is intended to complement existing before and after school programs by increasing access to licensed child care spaces in select school communities. It does not replace existing third-party operators currently providing services in LDSB schools.
The board is currently working through licensing, staffing, and implementation requirements, with the goal of launching programs during the 2026-2027 school year.
As planning continues, this page will be updated with the latest information for families, including registration details, program availability, timelines, and additional frequently asked questions.
For additional reference, please see the Limestone District School Board In-House Before and After School Program Pilot Administrative Report, presented to the Board of Trustees at the September 2, 2026, Education, Policy, and Operations Committee Meeting (pages 17-20).
BASP Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What school sites will the before and after school programs be at?
The LDSB has identified the following schools for the initial in-house Before and After School Program pilot:
- École Maple Elementary School
- Harrowsmith Public School
- Granite Ridge Education Centre
- Tamworth Elementary School
Why were those sites chosen?
In order to access the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) funding, LDSB worked in collaboration with the City of Kingston and the County of Lennox & Addington, to identify school sites based on a review of several data sources, including enrolment and demographic information, community needs, family feedback, available waitlist data, and access to existing before and after school programs. The review identified communities where there was a need for additional program spaces and limited access to existing services.
What makes these programs different from existing before and after school programs?
The pilot programs will be operated directly by the LDSB, rather than by a third-party provider. Like other licensed before and after school programs, they will follow Ministry of Education requirements and will be enrolled in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.
More details about program operations and offerings will be shared as implementation planning continues.
Will the program expand to include more school sites?
The LDSB plans to review the most current data each year and, where necessary and feasible, expand the program to additional school sites in future years.
When will the programs be up and running?
The LDSB's goal is to have the pilot programs operating during the 2026-2027 school year.
Timelines may be affected by Ministry of Education licensing requirements, enrolment in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, staffing needs, infrastructure requirements, and other implementation considerations.
Eligibility and Spaces
What ages are eligible for the before and after school programs?
The LDSB before and after school programs will be available for LDSB students in Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Can families with students at other schools register for these before and after school programs?
Registration will only be available to LDSB students registered and attending the pilot school sites.
How many spaces are available at each site?
There will be up to 26 student spaces available at Harrowsmith Public School, Granite Ridge Education Centre, and Tamworth Elementary School, and up to 39 student spaces at École Maple Elementary School. Programs will operate in accordance with all applicable staffing and licensing requirements.
Can I have more than one child in the program?
Yes, families can have more than one student in Kindergarten to Grade 6 enrolled in the program, provided space is available.
Registration and Fees
What is the registration process?
The registration process is currently being developed. Registration information, timelines, and instructions will be shared with the pilot school sites’ families and posted on this webpage as soon as they are available.
Can I add our family to a waitlist?
A waitlist process has not yet been finalized. Information about whether waitlists will be available and how families can join them will be shared directly with families at the pilot schools and posted on this webpage when available.
What will the cost per day be?
Program fees have not yet been finalized.
All LDSB-operated before and after school programs will be licensed and enrolled in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. More information about fees will be shared as soon as it becomes available.
Program Operations
What will the hours be?
Program hours are still being finalized and will be shared once available.
Who will staff the programs?
LDSB is currently working through staffing requirements as part of the program implementation process. More information about staffing and program qualifications will be shared with families once available.
Getting More Information
How do I get more information about these programs?
This webpage will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. Families are encouraged to check back often for updates regarding registration, program timelines, fees, eligibility, and other important details. Information will also be shared directly with families at the pilot school sites as it becomes available.
Who do I contact to get more information?
Contact information for the LDSB BASP team is currently being finalized and will be posted on this webpage as soon as it becomes available.