This FAQ information is specific to WRDSB operated Extended Day Programs for children in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 2.

Find more information about the third-party Extended Day Programs operated by:

New for the 2025-26 School Year

  • Daily Fee Updates:
    • Fees have increased slightly due to rising program costs and the requirement for all boards to run cost-recovery models.
    • View current rates.
  • Changes to Flexible Scheduling:
    • Families can now choose between full-time care (Monday to Friday) or part-time care on a consistent schedule (Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday).
  • Online Registration System:
    • We’ve worked with our coterminous board and OneList to test system improvements, which are helping reduce wait times.
  • Staggered Registration:
    • Registration will roll out by school to avoid system overload and make the process smoother for families.

Why Are Waitlists Necessary?

We understand how important before- and after-school care is for families, and we want to support as many families as we are able to. The program operates at cost recovery in accordance with Ministry Guidelines, so we can only run it in schools where there’s enough interest, space, and staffing to support it. The program is staffed by Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECEs) from Kindergarten classrooms, so availability depends on the number of Kindergarten classes at each school.

How do I apply for a subsidy?

The Extended Day Program is a subsidy-eligible program, which is managed by the Region of Waterloo. Eligibility is based on a family’s income and child care needs and must be applied for separately.
Before you start your Child Care Subsidy application, please consider the following:

  • Estimate Your Eligibility: Use the Child Care Subsidy Calculator.
  • Apply Up to 6 Months in Advance: If you apply too early, you may need to reapply closer to your child’s start date.
  • More Info: If you have questions about Child Care Subsidy, please call 519-575-4400 (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Apply for a Child Care Subsidy

Note: If you register your child in the Extended Day Program and you have not received approval for subsidy, you are required to pay the full fees.

More information can be found on the Region of Waterloo website.

Program Attendance and Fees

Do I have to pay if my child does not attend the program?

Fees will not be reimbursed for any of the following circumstances, as outlined in our Extended Day Parent Handbook:

  • Illness
  • Vacation
  • School closures due to inclement weather
  • Emergency closures
  • Days scheduled but did not attend
  • Suspension or exclusion from school:
    • If your 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.

Can I begin in the Extended Day Program prior to the four-week start date?

No, registration must be completed four weeks prior to your child(ren)’s program start date.

How far in advance of my child’s start date can I register for the program?

You can register six weeks in advance of your child’s start date.

How do I know my child is registered in the program?

You will receive an email shortly after you register your child. This email will confirm if your child is registered in the program or placed on a waiting list.

How much notice do I have to give to change/withdraw my child’s schedule?

You must log into your OneList account to make all changes to schedules or to withdraw from the program. Two weeks’ notice must be provided for all changes and withdrawals.

How do I change my child’s program schedule?

If you need to change your child’s program schedule, you must withdraw first from the program days of care you are registered in and then register for the other fixed part time program schedule. Please note your child may be placed on the waitlist for the other part-time program schedule.

Can I remove individual days from my child’s schedule?

No, we do not allow single day removals.

PD Days, Winter and Spring Break

Can I register my child only for the camp weeks and PD Days?

You must have a regular and ongoing schedule in Before and After care to register for camp weeks or PD days.
Parents and caregivers must register in OneList separately for Professional Development Days, camp week (Winter Break and March Break).

Do I have to register all days of camp weeks and PD Days?

For camp weeks you must register for all days, there are no part-time options.

For PD Days you can select the PD day you would like to register for.

Do you offer care on PD Days, Winter Break and March Break at my child’s home school?

Full day programming is offered on designated PD days at reduced operating hours (for example, 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.) at your child’s home school.

Winter and March Break full day programs are offered at designated host locations from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Billing & Invoices

Invoices are generated and emailed monthly based on the schedule you have selected. To ensure an accurate invoice, please log into OneList to ensure your child’s schedule is correct.

When will I receive my first bill?

Non-Subsidized Families

Fees are calculated monthly based on days of care in your OneList online calendar. Electronic invoices are sent via email to parents/caregivers on or around the 17th of the month (or following business days if the 17th is a weekend or statutory holiday).

For example, the invoice for September is scheduled to be sent by September 17, and will include all days scheduled for the month (September 3 to September 30).

Subsidized Families

If you receive financial fee assistance (subsidy) from the Region of Waterloo, fees are calculated monthly based on the days of care in your OneList online calendar.

Electronic invoices are sent via email to parents/caregivers between the 4th-11th of the following month (for example September days of care will be sent on or before the 11th of October.) The invoice will reflect the amount the family is responsible for paying.

Will the subsidy amount be reflected on my invoice?

The amount of subsidy you receive will be deducted from the full fee amount of the program on a per day basis. The amount on the invoice you receive is your parental contribution amount due for care. Your contribution is based on the Confirmation of Fee Assistance (CFA) letter you received from the Region of Waterloo. If you are fully subsidized by the Region of Waterloo, you will not receive an invoice.

For example, the invoice for January (sent the 6th business day) includes all days scheduled for the full month December 1 to December 31.

When do I have to pay my bill?

Your bill is due by the due date indicated on the invoice. Payments need to be made in a timely manner. If payment is not received by the end of the month, accounts can be sent for collections, and/or enrollment in the program may be withdrawn until the outstanding payment has been received in full.

I don’t think my bill is correct. Who should I contact?

Parents and caregivers who disagree with, or have questions about the days of care on their invoice, must contact the WRDSB:

  • Phone: 519-570-0003, Option 2, ext. 4323 or ext. 4379

Please contact the WRDSB immediately to have the invoice reviewed. Issues regarding billing will only be investigated for the proceeding two months.

Can I pay my bill in advance of receiving my invoice?

Yes. Once you have obtained your Customer ID, you may make your payment. To obtain your Customer ID, please contact the WRDSB:

Your customer ID will also be shown on your invoice.

Will I receive child care tax receipts?

Tax receipts will be issued on or before February 28 for amounts paid from January 1 to December 31 of the previous calendar year. Tax receipts are issued to the account holder (parent or guardian, etc.) of the child registered in OneList and sent to the email address on file in OneList (the same as monthly invoices). Please update the parent or guardian information in OneList to ensure tax receipts are sent to the correct email.

Tax receipts will only be issued to the individual who registered the child for care in OneList. Families requiring separate tax receipts for unique childcare arrangements must ensure that a child is registered in OneList under each parent or guardian that requires a separate tax receipt for days of care.

For example, if a child is with “Parent A” for weeks one and three of the month and “Parent B” for weeks two and four of the month, each parent or guardian must register the child and schedule their required days of care in OneList for the month. This will ensure that each account will receive invoices to make payments separately and have separate tax receipts issued for each parent and guardian for payments made by each during the year. Otherwise, children with only one schedule in OneList will receive one tax receipt for all payments made on account, and families will need to determine the appropriate split for tax purposes (if required).

Overdue Fees

If payment is not received by the end of the month, accounts can be sent for collections, and/or enrollment in the program may be withdrawn until the outstanding payment has been received in full. Please note: if your child is withdrawn from the program due to non-payment, once payment is received you can re-register your child but there may be a waitlist at your child’s school.

How can I pay my bill?

The WRDSB currently offers the following payment options:

  • Pay online via credit card (and some Visa debit cards)
  • Pre-authorized Debit (PAD): The PAD form must be completed and returned to finance-exdar@wrdsb.ca along with a void cheque (scanned).
    • Accounts must be in good standing prior to admission for the upcoming school year.
    • Signing up for pre-authorized debit (PAD) is convenient for families and ensures payment is received on time and there is no interruption to care.
  • In person at 51 Ardelt Ave., Kitchener, ON by cash, cheque or credit card (by appointment only)

Questions about payment options? Please contact the WRDSB: