Kindergarten ends between 3:00 and 3:15 PM. You work until 5:00 or 6:00 PM.
That leaves 2 to 3 hours of “what do I do with my child?”
Most before and after school care programs in Red Deer put kindergarteners in a gym or cafeteria. They sit on floors. They watch movies. They wait.
Brainy Bees does something different.
Your kindergartener spends the afternoon in a Montessori classroom. They choose activities. They work alongside younger 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 Kindergarten Problem Red Deer Parents Do Not See Coming
You think kindergarten is the solution. Your child finally has free childcare during the day.
Then you realize: school ends at 3:00 PM. You work until 5:00 or 6:00 PM. You have no one to watch your child for those 2-3 hours.
Your options in Red Deer:
| 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
3:10 PM — School dismissal. Our staff meet your child at the designated pickup area at their school. Same person every day. Your child knows the face.
3:20 PM — 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.
3:30 PM — Snack. Family-style. Your child helps set the table. They pour their own water. They serve themselves (with help if needed). They sit with mixed-age children (3-6 years). Older children model manners. Younger children watch and learn.
3:50 PM — Outdoor play. Fenced playground. Climbing, running, digging, swinging. Fresh air after sitting in a classroom all day.
4:15 PM — 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
- Do homework (homework is for home — after school is for decompressing)
5:30 PM — Pickup window opens. 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
6:30 AM — Drop-off. You arrive early because you start work at 7:30 or 8:00 AM. Most before-school programs do not open until 7:30 AM. Brainy Bees opens at 6:30 AM.
6:30 – 8:00 AM — Morning choice. Your child eats breakfast (provided). Then they choose activities. Quiet activities in the morning — puzzles, books, practical life, art. No loud running. No chaos. A calm start to the day.
8:00 AM — School preparation. Your child packs their backpack. Puts on outdoor shoes and coat. Our staff walk them to the vehicle.
8:15 AM — 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 — 9 Red Deer Elementary Schools
Brainy Bees provides transportation to and from the following Red Deer schools:
| School | Dismissal Time | Pickup Location | Afternoon Arrival at Brainy Bees |
|---|---|---|---|
| École Camille School | 3:10 PM | Kindergarten door | 3:25 PM |
| Mount View Elementary | 3:15 PM | Gymnasium pickup area | 3:30 PM |
| Escuela Vista Grande | 3:05 PM | South entrance | 3:20 PM |
| Fairview Elementary | 3:10 PM | North side pickup zone | 3:25 PM |
| G.H. Dawe School | 3:15 PM | Main office | 3:30 PM |
| St. Patrick’s Community | 3:00 PM | Front entrance | 3:15 PM |
| Anni L. Gaetz Elementary | 3:10 PM | East parking lot | 3:25 PM |
| École Oriel Park | 3:15 PM | Kindergarten classroom | 3:30 PM |
| Don Campbell Elementary | 3:10 PM | Covered entrance near playground | 3:25 PM |
Morning drop-off times: Brainy Bees drops your child at school between 8:00 and 8:30 AM, depending on the school. We ensure they arrive before the bell.
Pickup can also be arranged for any school in Red Deer depending on availability and scheduling. Transportation charges apply.
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 – 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 | Montessori Summer Camp (ages 3-6). See our summer camp page for details. |
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
Starting April 1, 2025, Alberta moved to a flat-rate affordability model for licensed childcare.
Full-time before and after school care (100+ hours per month): $326.25 per month (roughly $15/day)
Part-time before and after school care (50-99 hours per month): $230.00 per month
What is included:
- Morning care (6:30 AM to school drop-off)
- Afternoon care (school pickup to 6:00 PM)
- Snack (afternoon)
- Breakfast (morning — optional)
- PD days (full-day care)
- School breaks (full-day care, except statutory holidays)
- Transportation to and from school
What is not included:
- Summer camp (separate registration)
- Field trips (billed at cost)
- Registration fee (one-time, per family)
You do not need to apply for the subsidy. Brainy Bees applies it automatically. Your invoice shows the discounted rate.
Additional income-based subsidy is available for families who need more help. Families with income under $45,000 may pay $0. Call us to check your eligibility.
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 – school drop-off | Kindergarten | School pickup – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM – school drop-off | Kindergarten | School pickup – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM – school drop-off | Kindergarten | School pickup – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM – school drop-off | Kindergarten | School pickup – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM – school drop-off | Kindergarten | School pickup – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed | — | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed | — | Closed |
Why these hours matter for working parents:
- Most before-school programs open at 7:30 AM. If you start work at 8:00 AM, you cannot drop off at 7:30 AM (you would be late). Brainy Bees opens at 6:30 AM. You drop off early, go home, get ready, and still make an 8:00 AM start.
- Most after-school programs close at 5:30 PM. If you work until 5:00 PM, you need 30 minutes to drive across Red Deer. Traffic happens. You arrive at 5:35 PM. The program is closed. You pay a late fee. 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
Before and After School Care vs Staying at the School — The Difference
| Element | School-Based Program | Brainy Bees |
|---|---|---|
| Location | School gym or cafeteria | Montessori classroom |
| Activities | Sitting, waiting, movies, worksheets | Child-chosen Montessori activities (practical life, sensorial, language, math) |
| Outdoor time | Limited (if any) | Daily, fenced playground |
| Snack | Sometimes provided | Provided daily, family-style |
| Staff training | ECE or aide | Montessori certified + ECE Level 3 |
| Mixed ages | Same grade only | Mixed ages (3-6) — kindergarteners become leaders |
| PD days | Closed | Open, full-day care included |
| School breaks | Closed | Open, full-day care included |
| Hours | Typically 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM | 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
Your child spends 2-3 hours after school at Brainy Bees. That is 10-15 hours per week. 40-60 hours per month. That is not nothing. That is time that could be spent learning, playing, and growing — not waiting.
See the difference in person →
Questions Red Deer Parents Ask About Before and After School Care
What age children do you accept for before and after school care?
Kindergarten age only (typically 5-6 years). Children must be enrolled in kindergarten at one of the 9 schools we serve.
Do you pick up from schools not on your list?
Yes, depending on availability and scheduling. Transportation charges apply. 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?
Alberta requires 1:10 for school-aged children. Brainy Bees maintains 1:8 maximum in the after-school program.
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 provide breakfast. 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. 24 hours fever-free without medication before returning.
Do you give medication?
Yes, with a doctor’s note and signed medication administration form.
Do you accept the Alberta subsidy?
Yes. Full-time before and after school care costs you $326.25 per month after the flat-rate subsidy. You do not need to apply. We apply it automatically.
What is your waitlist for before and after school care?
Spots open up when kindergarten registration happens in March. Call for current availability.
Do you offer care for grades 1-6?
No. We are licensed for children up to kindergarten age only. For grades 1-6, we recommend checking with the school-based program or other childcare centers.
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 registration form to begin the enrollment process.
Your Kindergartener 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 gives your kindergartener 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 Soumya: 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 – 6:00 PM
