Structure and procedures

School daycare service

Information for parents

Initially designed to help families balance work and personal life, it has become a complementary educational environment promoting children’s learning, socialization and well-being.

What is a school daycare service?

School daycare is much more than just a place of supervision outside of school hours. It is an integral part of the school’s educational project, contributing to the academic success and overall development of preschool and primary school students.

The school daycare services are governed and defined by the Education Act and the Regulation respecting school daycare services.

Article 1 of the Regulation on school daycare services defines them as follows:

“ School-based childcare services are offered to preschool and primary school students at a school service center, outside of periods when educational services are provided to them. They are part of the students’ living environment and contribute, as part of the school’s educational project, to their overall development. ”

Did you know?

- Nearly 70% of elementary school students in Quebec attend a School daycare service.
- The activities offered must be framed by an annual educational plan.
- Rates vary depending on frequency and periods of attendance.
- Maximum rates are prescribed by regulation and indexed annually.

Objectives of school daycare services

The objectives pursued by the school daycare services are described in Article 2 of the Regulation:

Looking after the children’s well-being and offering an atmosphere conducive to their development;
Providing support to children’s families, particularly by offering to those who wish, an adequate place and, where possible, the necessary support to allow them to do their homework after class;
Providing health and safety to children in keeping with the rules of conduct and safety measures approved by the governing board of the school.

It is the responsibility of the school management to ensure compliance with the provisions of the regulations.

Providing health and safety to children in keeping with the rules of conduct and safety measures approved by the governing board of the school. These activities aim to develop students’ social, cultural, artistic and sporting skills while providing them with a structured framework.

School daycare services pedagogical planning is essential: it ensures a diversity of activities adapted to the needs of children and offers them learning experiences that complement those experienced in the classroom. It must be developed in consultation with the educational team in order to integrate harmoniously into school.

The daycare service thus becomes an extension of the school, offering educational support focused on collaboration, socialization and learning through play.

Fees and pricing of childcare services

School daycare services are governed by the Regulation respecting school daycare services (I-13.3, r.11), which sets a maximum rate for regular services.

No financial contribution may be required for administrative services related to the care of students, in particular those relating to registration, opening a file or the use of a technological application.

The cost of a school daycare service depends on the frequency and periods of attendance of the student.

Regular attendance (two or more periods per day, at least two days per week): Maximum rate established per day, indexed annually.
Sporadic attendance (one period per day): Maximum hourly rate, indexed annually.
Educational days: Maximum rate established per day, indexed annually (plus the actual cost of an activity, if applicable).

Maximum rates in effect 2024-2025

These rates are maximums and are indexed annually, on July 1. Rates may be less than the maximum and therefore may vary slightly depending on the school or school service center.

Type of attendance	Maximum rate
Regular attendance (2 or more periods per day)	$9.50 / day
Sporadic attendance (1 period per day)	$3.15 / hour
Pedagogical days (without special activity)	$16.20 / day
Midday surveillance	$3.15 / hour

An additional contribution may be required from parents whose child is registered for more than 5 hours per day, during a school day, or 10 hours, during a pedagogical day. These fees only apply to students enrolled for more than 5 (or 10) hours per day. In this case, the amount that may be demanded corresponds to the hourly maximum multiplied by the number of hours exceeding 5 or 10 hours, where applicable.

It is recommended that you check with the school your child attends for specific information.

Pedagogical days

School daycare services generally offer activities during pedagogical days. Pricing cannot exceed the maximum provided for by the Regulations.

However, if a special activity or outing is organized, the costs related to it are added, but this additional pricing cannot exceed the actual cost of the activity or outing.

Midday surveillance

The midday surveillance service is different from the school daycare service. Intended for primary and secondary school students, this service provides supervision for students during mealtimes, according to arrangements specific to each establishment, particularly with regard to the organization of staff and the activities offered.

In some primary and preschool schools, parents have the choice of enrolling their child in either the lunchtime supervision service or the after-school care service. However, in other establishments, the daycare service also provides midday supervision.

The pricing for midday supervision cannot exceed the maximum hourly rate and cannot exceed the actual cost of the service.

Occasional attendance

The school can offer daycare services occasionally, in the event of a one-off or unforeseen need and without recurring registration. In this case, regular rates do not apply. This service is optional; the school is not obliged to offer it and can set its own rate without adding administrative fees.

However, it would be a good idea for this service to be billed by the school at the maximum hourly rate provided for in the Regulations when it is an exceptional emergency for a parent.

Delays

An additional contribution, limited to the actual cost, may be requested if a student remains at SDG after the scheduled hours due to a parent being late or a late payment. It is therefore essential to calculate this real cost to avoid charging more than necessary.

Special needs students

School-based childcare services aim to be inclusive and meet the needs of all students. It is recommended that you discuss your child’s specific needs with the daycare staff to determine possible accommodations.

The role of the GB and the involvement of parents

The governing board (GB) plays a key role in the management and organization of childcare services in schools. He is responsible for adopting the operating rules of the daycare service, including schedules, supervision of children and safety measures.

In addition to these organizational responsibilities, the GB approves the fee schedule and the budget for the daycare service. It ensures that pricing complies with ministerial directives and remains fair for all families.

Furthermore, the board monitors the development of the school daycare service’s educational planning and the proposed activities in order to ensure their consistency with the school’s mission and its educational project.

Finally, the GB acts as a bridge between parents and the school administration. It allows families to express their needs, expectations and concerns regarding childcare. Its role is therefore essential to ensure a quality framework, adapted to the realities of students and their school community.

How can parents get involved?

Parental involvement helps ensure a school-based childcare service that is adapted to the needs of families. By actively engaging, parents help make the school daycare service a dynamic and caring place, promoting the development of each child.

Attend as an audience or get involved in our school’s GB.
Learn about all aspects of our school’s daycare service.
Communicate with the daycare team to ensure better monitoring of our child’s needs.
Ask the GB to create a daycare parents’ committee.

The Education Act (art. 256) provides that at the request of parent users, the governing board must form a parents’ committee for the daycare service. The GB does not have to decide whether or not to create this committee; it has the obligation to do so as soon as the request is made.

This committee, composed of the head of the daycare service, the school principal and three to five parents elected by and from among the parents of students attending this service, can make recommendations on the quality of services, regulations and financial contributions.

School-based childcare services are an important lever for student success and well-being. By promoting an open communication between parents, staff and the school , it is possible to build a quality service, adapted to the needs of families and aligned with the educational project of schools.