Brainy Bees provides before and after school care in Red Deer for school-age children, 6 to 12 years, with school pickup, Montessori afternoons, and PD days included. School ends in the middle of the afternoon. You work until 5:00 or 6:00 PM.
That leaves 2 to 3 hours of “what do I do with my child?”
Many before and after school programs put children in a gym or cafeteria. They sit on floors. They watch movies. They wait.
Brainy Bees does something different.
Your child spends the afternoon in a Montessori classroom. They choose activities. They spend time with our younger pre-K children (which builds confidence and leadership). They go outside. They eat a real snack. They are not waiting. They are learning.
And in the morning before school, they start their day the same way: calm, focused and ready.
See what your child does after school →
The Before and After School Care Red Deer Problem Parents Do Not See Coming
You think school is the solution. Your child is busy and cared for during the day.
Then you realize: school ends mid-afternoon. You work until 5:00 or 6:00 PM. You have no one to watch your child for those 2-3 hours.
Your before and after school care Red Deer options:
| Option | The Reality |
|---|---|
| Family or friends | Not everyone has that. And they get tired. |
| Stay-home parent quits job | Loses income. Loses career momentum. |
| Before/after school program at the school | Child sits in gym or cafeteria. No learning. No structure. Just waiting. |
| Brainy Bees | Child comes to our Montessori classroom. Real activities. Outdoor play. Pickup from school included. |
Most working parents choose option 3 because they have no other choice. They hate it. Their child is bored. They come home exhausted from “doing nothing” all afternoon.
Brainy Bees is option 4.
Check if we pick up from your school →
What Your Child Actually Does After School at Brainy Bees
School dismissal. Every school lets out at a different time, so our van picks your child up at their school’s dismissal time. Our drivers are properly licensed staff your child gets to know.
Arrival at Brainy Bees. Your child walks into our Montessori classroom. They put away their backpack (on a low hook they can reach). They change into indoor shoes (by themselves). They wash their hands.
Snack. Your child helps set the table, pours their own water and serves themselves. They sit with our pre-K children. Older children model manners. Younger children watch and learn.
Outdoor play. Fenced playground. Climbing, running, digging, swinging. Fresh air after sitting in a classroom all day.
Choice time. Your child chooses from Montessori materials. The same materials used by our preschool children. Sandpaper letters. Number rods. Bead chains. Puzzle maps. Practical life activities.
What your child will NOT do after school:
- Sit on a gym floor
- Watch a movie
- Color worksheets
- Wait in a cafeteria
- Feel pushed into homework (after school is for unwinding, though we have a quiet space if they want it)
Pickup, any time until 6:00 PM. Your child gathers their belongings. They tell you what they did. “I counted to 100 with the bead chain.” “I traced the letter ‘m’.” “I poured water without spilling.”
Your child is not bored. They are not waiting. They are learning.
Observe the after-school program →
What Your Child Does Before School at Brainy Bees
From 6:30 AM: Drop-off. You arrive early because you start work at 7:30 or 8:00 AM. Brainy Bees opens at 6:30 AM.
Morning choice. Your child chooses quiet activities: puzzles, books, practical life, art. Kids often skip breakfast in the morning rush, so around 7:45 AM we offer an early snack to anyone who is hungry before school. No loud running. No chaos. A calm start to the day.
School preparation. Your child packs their backpack and puts on outdoor shoes and coat. Our staff walk them to the van.
Drop-off at school. Your child arrives at school before the bell. Calm. Fed. Ready to learn.
The difference between Brainy Bees and staying home: At home, you are rushing. Your child is watching TV or on a tablet. Drop-off is chaotic. At Brainy Bees, your child starts the day with structure, independence, and calm.
Schools We Pick Up From: 10 Red Deer Elementary Schools
Brainy Bees provides transportation to and from the following Red Deer schools:
- École Camille School
- Mount View Elementary School
- Escuela Vista Grande Bilingual School
- Fairview Elementary School
- G.H. Dawe School
- St. Patrick’s Community School
- Anni L. Gaetz Elementary School
- École Oriel Park
- Don Campbell Elementary School
- Joseph Welsh Elementary School
Pickup times: Every school dismisses at a different time, and our van picks up at each school’s dismissal. In the morning, we drop your child at school before the bell.
Transportation: $300 for the whole school year (September to June), charged once.
Not on the list? Pickup from other Red Deer schools can be arranged, depending on availability and scheduling.
Confirm pickup for your school →
PD Days and School Breaks: Included, Not Extra
Most before and after school programs close on PD days and school breaks. You scramble to find backup care. You take a day off work. You lose income.
Brainy Bees stays open.
| Day | What Happens |
|---|---|
| PD Day (school closed) | Your child comes to Brainy Bees for the full day (6:30 AM to 6:00 PM). Montessori activities. Outdoor play. Field trips (extra cost, optional). |
| Winter Break | Open except statutory holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day). |
| Spring Break | Open full days. |
| Summer | Summer camp when offered (separate registration). |
No extra charge for PD days or school breaks. Your monthly fee covers everything except summer camp (separate registration).
What You Will Pay for Before and After School Care in Red Deer
Please contact us for current before and after school rates.
Help with costs: Families may qualify for the Alberta child care subsidy for before and after school care. It is based on family income. Call us and we will help you check.
What is included:
- Morning care (6:30 AM to school drop-off)
- Afternoon care (school pickup to 6:00 PM)
- Early snack around 7:45 AM for children who need it, and an afternoon snack
- PD days (full-day care)
- School breaks (full-day care, except statutory holidays)
Extra:
- Transportation: $300 for the school year (September to June), charged once
- Summer camp, when offered (separate registration)
- Field trips (billed at cost)
There is no registration fee or deposit.
Get your exact out-of-pocket cost →
Before and After School Hours: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
| Day | Morning Care | School Hours | Afternoon Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 6:30 AM to school drop-off | School | School pickup to 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM to school drop-off | School | School pickup to 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM to school drop-off | School | School pickup to 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM to school drop-off | School | School pickup to 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM to school drop-off | School | School pickup to 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed | Closed |
Why these hours matter for working parents:
- If you start work at 8:00 AM, a 7:30 AM drop-off is cutting it close. Brainy Bees opens at 6:30 AM. You drop off early, go home, get ready, and still make an 8:00 AM start.
- If you work until 5:00 PM, you need 30 minutes to drive across Red Deer. Traffic happens. You arrive at 5:35 PM. Brainy Bees closes at 6:00 PM. You have a 60-minute buffer.
Confirm our hours work for your schedule →
What Red Deer Parents Say About Before and After School Care at Brainy Bees
“My son has Cerebral Palsy. Finding a daycare that is not only inclusive but truly invested in his development was so important to us. Brainy Bees has exceeded every expectation.”
Melissa Gouthro
“He was having so many behavioral issues at his previous daycare. Since switching to Brainy Bees, he has done a complete 360. Staff are so kind and understanding.”
Vanessa Schriver
“The space is clean, organized, and well-equipped. I love that children are grouped by age so they can learn at their own pace. The teachers are skilled and give every child personal attention.”
Manoj Savsani
“In a very short time, she has made many wonderful new friends. The staff put a lot of effort into planning a supportive onboarding process which helped both our daughter and us as parents feel comfortable with the transition.”
MB
Questions Red Deer Parents Ask About Before and After School Care
What age children do you accept for before and after school care?
Children 6 to 12 years. We pick up from 10 Red Deer schools, and other schools can be arranged depending on availability.
Do you pick up from schools not on your list?
Yes, depending on availability and scheduling. Transportation is $300 for the school year. Call us to discuss.
What happens on early dismissal days?
We pick up at the early dismissal time. Your child comes to Brainy Bees for the afternoon. No extra charge.
Do you provide homework help?
We provide a quiet space for homework if your child wants to do it. We do not tutor or complete homework for them. Homework is primarily the family’s responsibility.
What is your staff-to-child ratio for school-aged children?
1 staff to 10 children. Our before and after school group is combined with our pre-K room, so we keep the pre-K ratio.
Do you provide transportation to school in the morning?
Yes. You drop your child at Brainy Bees in the morning (as early as 6:30 AM). We offer an early snack around 7:45 AM. Then we drive them to school before the bell.
Do you provide transportation home after school?
No. You pick up your child from Brainy Bees between 5:00 and 6:00 PM.
What is your sick policy?
Child cannot attend with fever (over 38.5°C), vomiting, diarrhea, or contagious illness. Your child needs to be 48 hours symptom-free and fever-free, without medication, before returning, as per AHS guidelines.
Do you give medication?
Yes, with a doctor’s note and signed medication administration form.
Is there a subsidy for before and after school care?
Families may qualify for the Alberta child care subsidy, which is based on family income. Call us and we will help you check.
What is your waitlist for before and after school care?
Spots are limited. Call for current availability.
Do you offer care for grades 1 to 6?
Yes. Our before and after school care is for children 6 to 12 years.
Fees
As a licensed child care facility, we offer current childcare rates as per the Alberta Government’s childcare affordability plan. Please contact us directly for our current fee schedule and availability.
Registration
We’re excited to welcome your family to our community! To register your child, please contact us for availability or complete our online pre-registration form to begin the enrollment process.
Your Child Deserves More Than a Gym Floor
You are working hard to provide for your family. You should not have to worry about your child sitting in a gym or cafeteria for 2-3 hours every afternoon.
Brainy Bees before and after school care Red Deer gives your child real afternoons. Montessori materials. Outdoor play. Real snack. Mixed-age leadership. PD days and breaks included.
Your child will not be waiting. They will be learning.
See the after-school program for yourself.
Call Ms. Maya: 825-559-2337
Or fill out the form below.
Location: #202 4909 49 St, Red Deer, AB T4N 1V1
Hours: Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM