École Arthur Meighen and Fort la Reine School are part of an afterschool recreation program for kids in Portage la Prairie.  

Discussions took place early in the school year that concerned the chance of trialling an afterschool program at schools in town. The Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC) and the Family Resource Centre (FRC) came up with a plan. 

"New families needed afterschool care with a real shortage of space in the community of programming," explains École Arthur Meighen principal Tracy Vanstone. "I am aware, having been the principal at École Crescentview School. 'Shortstop' always had a long waiting list, and many families are just strapped because they work, maybe, 9:00 to 5:00 and they need something from 3:30 until 5:00 or 5:15."

Tracy VanstoneTracy Vanstone

She notes this program offers an option for families for afterschool programming for their children until they can get off work and pick them up. Vanstone explains they approached the school division to see if schools could collaborate. She responded that her school found some space.

"We had one room available just adjacent to the office, and it happened to have a washroom and some nice storage space," adds Vanstone. "So, we made that available for them. They come in after school and they provide programming until about 5:30 every day. It kicked off (Monday) and so far so good. They pick up kids from Crescentview School, walk them over, and they bring their group. It seemed to me like there were about 20 kids (Monday). I was surprised at the numbers already on the first day."

Vienna Muise is Wellness Director with Family Resource Centre and says they offer afterschool recreation at their outreach location, but it serves kids in the local neighbourhood. This program, however, is different.

"Essentially, sitting on the child care working group, we've worked with day cares in the community --  other organizations -- and it highlighted a need in Portage la Prairie and area," continues Muise. "A big part of that need is before and after school care. There are a lot of people that, for different reasons, whether it's trying to take time off, and trying to rearrange schedules, who are refusing certain types of jobs or work because they don't have the ability to have someone care for their kids after school."

She explains they discussed the problem and recognized the need for more information. This resulted in a survey.

"The school division was great. They got the information, the survey out to the families, and we asked them several questions just about what the needs were and, basically, afterschool care was a huge priority for families," notes Muise. "So, we have created this program. We were able to get some funding through Canadian Tire Jumpstart, and that led us to look at schools where we could do this. With working with the school division, we highlighted, essentially, that Fort la Reine was actually going to be the first school that this pilot project was taking place."

ViennaVienna Muise

She says they appreciate how 120 spaces in daycare have opened up as a result. Muise says kids who only require an hour or two after school, suddenly don't need to take up a whole half-day space. 

"That means that that opens that up to other people in the community who need that half day, or whatever that looks like," adds Muise. "It really is a win-win because we get to do fun programming with the kids after school, parents know their kids are in a safe place, and there's no transportation to get to different locations because they're right at the school. And that opens up spots in other daycares, so it's huge."

She notes the spaces are currently free of charge at Fort la Reine School, but that may change with thoughts of subsidizing any costs that parents might incur. 

"That's why it is a pilot," notes Muise. "We're just kind of working out some of the kinks and the bugs. And what can this look like? What can this turn into? Funding is a huge part of it. Without the funding, unfortunately, we have to find a way to pay staff. And the only way to do that is charge. Arthur Meighen is currently a pay-per-use space and, quite quickly, that has filled up 30 spaces; maximum capacity. At last count, we were somewhere around 27, so that we have the appropriate staff-to-child ratio. We heard positive feedback already from some kids, which is great."