SD76 wants private operator to run before-and-after-school programs

School Division 76 is seeking a private operator to take over its before-and-after-school daycare programs.

“Because the (licensing) act is so complicated and the regulations complying with them are so onerous, we’ve basically said, ‘You know, our job is to operate under the Education Act and focus on educational services,’” said SD 76 secretary treasurer Jerry Labossiere.

The “key motivator” in this decision, he said, is they believe a private provider whose sole focus is daycare will know the act better, and can focus on the services and improving the programming for families.

Four out of 10 programs are at an “accredited” level, said Labossiere, and part of the request for proposal is asking bidders for their plan to get the remaining programs accredited.

The measure isn’t a cost-saving one, Labossiere said, and in fact, the schools actually make a small amount of money running the programs.

SD 76’s before-and-after school programs began years ago before licensing requirements existed, said Labossiere, and it’s one of a few school boards to run its own programs.

The programs now run at 10 elementary schools — each as a separate entity.

Labossiere said preferably, the winning bidder would run more than one, if not all the programs.

Employee changes

SD 76 hopes the successful bidder will look at hiring existing staff, and encourages this in the RFP.

“Because let’s face it, these employees know the building, they know the people, they know the families, so I think anybody coming in is going to want our employee list because it would be so much easier to transition through,” said Labossiere.

The board will be contacting employees to ask for permission to share their name and contact info with the successful bidder.

The change could affect wages, said Labossiere, as the new provider would probably standardize pay across the 10 programs.

Having the operator work to have all programs accredited will be beneficial pay-wise, as this will mean employees will qualify for a wage top-up subsidy from the province, he said.

Changes for families

The change could spell different fees for families that use the service.

“We have attempted to address that with again asking for each of the parties to submit their proposed fee schedules,” said Labossiere. “The ones coming in with the lower prices will get higher points when we’re grading the overall proposal.

Bidders are also being asked to provide a service availability schedule, he said, which will be part of the consideration.

Ideally, the switch will happen in the new school year, Labossiere said — if that’s not possible, the programs will continue to run as is.

“We’re committed to seeing no break in service to families.”