About the Program

Mekanys Before and After School Program Registration

Mekanys is available throughout the year for you to confirm your registration information and to enter your child’s schedule for the Extended Day program. Please note that for safety reasons, schedule changes need to be completed two weeks prior to the effective date.

Registration

Registration requires four weeks’ notice before a child can begin attending the program mid year. Fall registrations must start on the first day of school. There are times when more than four weeks’ notice may be required before a child can begin attending the program, for example, if we need to hire educators to support the program. As well, a waitlist may be implemented due to staffing challenges and Licensed space capacities. If a space opens up, placement will be offered in accordance with the waitlist policy. If your child is placed on a waitlist you will receive an email when a space opens up.

Register for the 2026-27 Before and After School Program

Review the Parent, Family and Caregiver Registration Guide. 

Questions?

Or email care@wrdsb.ca for support with questions.

Care Schedules

Your child may attend all five days of the week or part-time care is available for the fixed schedules listed below.

  • Changes cannot be made to these fixed care schedule options.
    • For example, if you register for the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday option you cannot remove Monday.
  • Families can register for multiple care schedule options.
    • For example, you can register for Tuesday and Thursday Before school care and Monday to Friday After school care.
  • Single day removals are not permitted.

Care Options

Before School Care

Select both options if you require full-time care:

  • Before School Care – Monday, Wednesday and Friday (3 days)
  • Before School Care – Tuesday and Thursday (2 days)

After School Care

Select both options if you require full-time care:

  • After School Care – Monday, Wednesday and Friday (3 days)
  • After School Care – Tuesday and Thursday (2 days)

If you modify your child’s schedule online, it is your responsibility to ensure that schedules are accurately entered. It is your responsibility to view the online calendar to ensure it is accurate for invoicing and attendance.

Your registration is complete once you have days of care entered in the online calendar. Mekanys will populate your child’s schedule the entire school year based on the days selected.

Subsidized Care and Changing Schedules

If you receive child care subsidies to help with your fees, you must also contact your caseworker for approval of any changes, otherwise, you may be responsible to pay the cost for unapproved schedule changes.

Withdrawal

Two weeks notice is required if you decide to withdraw your child from the program. You will need to make this change in Mekanys.

Special Needs

We offer an inclusive program that cultivates a safe and equitable learning environment. We invite you to meet with the school principal and the Extended Day Supervisor before your child starts the program to ensure any specific supports are in place.

Your child’s well-being and safety is our primary concern. Necessary information will be shared between Extended Day providers and the school to protect the health, welfare and/or safety of your child.

Nutrition

Snacks are provided daily and are selected in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s School Food and Beverage policy. It is important that you inform the school and program of your child’s specific food allergies. If your child is attending a full day with the program, it is your responsibility to provide lunch as you would on any regular school day. Lunch bags and water bottles must be labelled with your child’s name.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday during the school year from 7 a.m. until the arrival bell, and from the dismissal bell until 6 p.m. The program may operate on designated Professional Development (PD) days.

March Break Camp, Winter Break Camp and Professional Development Day Camp

Extended Day programs will operate at alternate program locations for Winter break and March break camps.

Full day programming will be offered on some of the designated Professional Development (PD) dates. Children must be enrolled in before and/or after care in order to register for Winter break, March break of designated PD Day camps.

Registration for camp weeks or PD days is done online through Mekanys. Space is limited and will be filled on a priority basis of application date. If you are placed on a waiting list you will receive an email when space opens up.

Closure Dates

The program may be closed for holidays and other special dates including:

  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas to New Year’s Day
  • Family Day
  • Easter Monday and Good Friday
  • Victoria Day
  • Designated PD Days

View a complete list of closure dates.

WRDSB operated Extended Day programs do not participate in field trips or off site excursions.

Payment Information

Rates

Extended Day programs charge base fees and do not charge non-base fees (fees for optional or additional services). Effective September 2022, the Extended Day program is enrolled in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) funding plan. The rates are determined annually on a cost-recovery basis.

View current rates and payment information for the 2025-2026 school year. 2026-2027 rates will be updated once finalized.

On March 28, 2022, the Ontario and Federal governments announced the signing of the CWELCC agreement. WRDSB operated Before & After school programs qualify for CWELCC funding. Fee reduction funding is intended to support children under the age of 6, with some exceptions for children with birthdays early in the calendar year who are 6 years of age and enrolled in Kindergarten.

Payment

Invoices are generated in Mekanys and emailed monthly based on the schedule you selected. To ensure an accurate invoice, please log into Mekanys to confirm your child’s schedule is accurate. Payment options will be listed in Mekanys.

Payments need to be received in a timely manner. If payment is not received, enrolment in the program will be withdrawn until the outstanding payment has been received in full. Please note that the two week advance notice to re-enter the Extended Program will apply, subject to program availability.

If you have any concerns about your invoice, please call 519-570-0003 ext. 4323 or 4379 immediately to have the invoice investigated. Issues regarding billing will only be investigated for the preceding two months.

Fees will not be reimbursed due to any of the following circumstances:

  • Vacation or illness
  • School closure due to inclement weather
  • Emergency closures
  • Suspensions

Payment options

  • Pre-Authorized monthly withdrawals on a Canadian bank account/financial institution (22nd of the current month or next business day)
  • Online payment via credit card
  • In person via debit, credit or cash (exact amount only) at 51 Ardelt Ave., Kitchener, ON, N2C 2R5 (please call to make appointment)

Please direct all payment inquiries to Accounts Receivable at the Waterloo Region District School Board 519-570-0003 ext. 4323 or 4379.

In the event of a billing error or overpayment, accounts will be credited or refunded in consultation with Extended Day Supervisors and Finance.

Child Care Subsidy

Help paying for child care is available through the Region of Waterloo Child Care Subsidy program. You may be eligible for Subsidy if you are working or going to school and if your income meets the requirements.

To apply:

  • Complete the online application or call the Region of Waterloo at 519-575-4400 to apply over the phone.
  • Register in Mekanys for the Extended Day program

Important Policies

Update Your Information

It is important that we have your up to date contact information. Please update Mekanys as needed.

Emergency Contacts

If you cannot be reached at the contact information provided, we will contact your authorized emergency contacts. In the event of an emergency where you need to reach the Extended Day Program staff, you should call the school number and select menu option five.

Drop Off and Pick Up

We have a face-to-face drop-off and pick-up practice. This means that you must enter the classroom to drop or pick-up your child. For safety, we will not release your child to an individual who is not listed as an emergency contact in Mekanys. Children will only be released to an authorized adult (individual 18 years or older). In order to verify the identity of the person, we will request a photo ID before releasing your child.

Late Pick Ups

Our program closes at 6 p.m., and any later pick ups are not permitted. If you, or an authorized adult, are not able to pick up your child prior to 6 p.m., it is your responsibility to make alternate arrangements. If you cannot be reached, our staff will contact the authorized emergency contacts provided.

Health and Safety

We have protocols and guidelines to ensure your child’s health and safety in order to create a positive learning environment. It is recommended that you keep your child home when showing signs of illness. There will be no deduction in fees due to illness.

If a child has been suspended or excluded from school, they may not attend the Extended Day Program until they return to school full-day. The Before and After school Manager, Parent and Principal will meet to discuss a plan to support the child’s return to the Extended Day Program. There will be no deduction in fees due to suspension or exclusion.

Program Viability

We determine the viability of the Extended Day Program at each site based on the number of annual registrations. If a school site is not able to operate in a given year, communication will be sent to parents, families and caregivers in the spring.

Contact Information

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns at:

Please visit www.wrdsb.ca/beforeafter to view information about WRDSB operated Before & After school programs and a copy of the following policies (hard copies are available on site as posted on the parent information bulletins).