Local Daycare with After School Care: One-Stop Benefit
Families seldom operated on a cool 9 to 5 schedule. Commutes extend, meetings shift, school termination gets here before the last e-mail gets sent out, and toddlers have their own timeline entirely. A regional daycare that also offers after school care smooths the edges. It suggests one trusted team, one drop-off, one pickup, and a constant rhythm for your child from babyhood through the early grades. I've dealt with centers that live this model day in and day out, and the distinction displays in calmer nights, fewer logistical scrambles, and children who understand precisely where they belong at 3:15 p.m.
The everyday win: continuity
Continuity sounds abstract up until you see a child shift from their preschool room to after school club and go directly to the shelf with the rainy-day puzzles they like. They know the personnel by name, the regimens are familiar, and the rules do not alter with the clock. That continuity streamlines behavior expectations. It likewise assists with attachment and confidence, especially for young children who later become pre-K leaders and lastly school-age helpers revealing more youthful kids how treat time works.
I've seen households spend months on waitlists for different programs, then handle two areas with 2 sets of vacation calendars. It works in a pinch, but it's a delicate setup. A local daycare that incorporates after school care keeps the entire plan under one roofing system, which matters when a work meeting goes late or a school bus is delayed by 10 minutes. Your child stays in a location they already trust, and your strategy doesn't collapse if Plan B is stuck in traffic.
What one-stop convenience appears like in practice
At its finest, the model begins early and grows with your child. In the toddler care space you'll find tight ratios, foreseeable routines, and a lot of language-rich interaction. By preschool, the day balances structured early finding out with play. After school care picks up where the school day ends, mixing research support with downtime and active play. If the very same childcare centre hosts all 3, shifts are mild. Kids move from early childcare to the early knowing centre, then step into school-age programs with their social media network intact.
When a center like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre organizes the day, one shift streams into the next. Early morning drop-off has one door, one check-in, one communication channel. For school-age kids, the after school portion may consist of a bus drop, a staff-led walking group from nearby schools, or on-site school partnerships. Either way, children arrive to friendly faces who already understand their level of sensitivities and strengths.
The research hour, the treat table, the reset
Most parents ask about research support, and appropriately so. The goal isn't to turn after school care into another classroom, but to create a stable regimen. A simple circulation works: a healthy treat, a short outdoor burst to reset their bodies, then 20 to 40 minutes where kids pick homework time or a peaceful activity. Personnel float to respond to questions, keep sound levels sensible, and inspect that a reading log gets signed. When it's consistent, you'll observe evenings in the house open for household time rather of a late-night fraction meltdown.
On the snack front, strong programs post a turning menu with real protein, fruit or veg, and a carbohydrate that isn't all sugar. Believe yogurt with berries and granola, hummus with pita and cucumbers, or cheese and whole-grain crackers. Kids don't discover well or play kindly when they're starving. The difference between a ravenous 3:30 p.m. and a nourished one shows up in habits and the quality of play.
Safety that scales from young children to tweens
Look for security practices that adjust to age. Toddler rooms need to have secure gates, outlet covers, and furnishings anchored to the wall. Preschool environments require clear sightlines and child-height sinks. After school areas need to support more autonomy however still monitor successfully. That can indicate sign-in boards for each activity location, a published headcount that updates every transition, and personnel who sweep the outdoor lawn at routine intervals so older kids do not wander into blind spots.
Centers that carry a certified daycare status meet standard requirements for ratios, emergency readiness, and personnel qualifications. Licensing is not the entire story, however it's the flooring you should demand. Ask to see the most recent examination reports and how the center addressed any findings. Great directors don't get defensive when you ask, they reveal you what they improved and why.
The curriculum you don't have to force
Families typically browse "preschool near me" and "daycare near me" on the exact same night, then try to cross-check sites for programs that line up with their values. Early finding out should not feel like flashcards dressed up as school. In a strong early knowing centre, literacy grows from stories at circle time, labels around the space, and personnel who kneel to make eye contact and tell play. Numeracy shows up in block towers, treat counts, and charting the weather. Science is a tray of melting ice, a growing bean container, or a magnifying glass in the garden.
After school care takes that structure and adds option. Some days kids want LEGO challenges. Other days they choose drawing or a cooperative video game outside. The trick is balance. If the staff can nudge a child into attempting a less preferred activity without forcing them, you've found the best mix. Kids who feel they have company are more likely to practice persistence and analytical, which matters as much as phonics.
Staffing that makes or breaks the day
You can identify a healthy team within ten minutes. The energy is warm but not disorderly. Staff welcome kids by name and remember information from the other day's story. The lead may be an early childhood teacher with a diploma or degree, supported by assistants who are trusted and trained in emergency treatment, anaphylaxis response, and habits guidance. Inquire about turnover. If the director states, "We have actually balanced two to three staff modifications in the after school group in the in 2015," that's reasonable for a growing center. If the number climbs up much higher, ask why. Burnout, pay, and schedules all contribute. Stability matters, because relationships are the facilities of childcare.
Professional advancement isn't decorative. The very best programs budget plan hours for personnel to find out about language development, inclusive practices, and trauma-informed care. Even a three-hour workshop can ripple throughout a classroom when instructors come back with an easy technique to de-escalate dispute or consist of kids who are still learning English.
Logistics moms and dads actually use
Commuter-friendly hours matter more than any marketing slogan. A sensible window is 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., often 6:30 p.m. If a center closes at 5:30 p.m., make certain that fits your commute on a rainy day with a missed bus. Late pickup fees are common and fair when used sparingly, however ask how they're used. A grace period of 5 minutes is humane.
For after school care, ask which schools the center serves and how transport works. A direct bus path is gold. If a staff member walks children from a close-by school, what's the ratio and backup plan in bad weather? What occurs if a child misses out on the bus? The clear answer you desire: the school calls, the center calls, and there's a called staff member who tracks the child up until they're accounted for.
Health policies that appreciate families
Children get ill. The clearest programs define when to keep a child home, when they can return, and how medications are handled. A typical limit is fever-free for 24 hours without medication, which secures the group and staff. If your child has a chronic condition like asthma or a severe allergy, ask to see the individualized plan. Where is the inhaler saved? Who can administer it? How are alternatives briefed? You'll understand you're in great hands if the director shows you the specific kind, points to the medication storage, and describes the drill with confidence.
Nutrition policies must be inclusive. Peanut-free or nut-aware guidelines are basic. Ask how personnel manage shared food throughout birthdays and vacations. This is where strong centers shine. They publish clear guidelines, reroute well-meaning cupcakes to a take-home plan, and provide a celebratory sticker label or a communal tune so every child can get involved safely.
Behavior assistance that teaches skills
Children test limits when they feel starving, exhausted, or overwhelmed. Good behavior guidance expects the trigger and offers a skill. In toddler care, that may be an image card to request aid. In preschool, an employee might state, "You can be mad. Your body requires to be safe. Let's squish the putty." For school-age kids, effects are specific and quick with a path back to the group. A reflection sheet after a push on the field can include what took place, how the other child felt, and what to attempt next time. It doesn't take long, and it builds social literacy.
Ask a prospective center to stroll you through a current conflict and how it was managed. If they describe both kids's perspectives, you're listening to a group that sees behavior as communication, not simply rule-breaking.
What households suggest by "daycare near me"
When families type childcare centre near me or regional daycare into a map app, they're typically determining more than range. They desire a place that's on the method to the train, near a supermarket, and five minutes from their pediatrician. Proximity adds durability. When a toddler wakes with a moderate cough you're keeping an eye on, a fast pickup is possible. When a school closes early for weather condition, your center can typically collaborate earlier arrivals into the after school space with minimal disruption.
It likewise builds community. You start recognizing other parents at the exact same coffeehouse. Older kids wave to their instructors when they see them at the weekend market. That sense of place lowers the emotional load on your child, who sees caregivers as part of their community, not simply a service hub.
The cash question, answered plainly
Costs differ by area, age, and staffing ratios. Baby and toddler care generally costs the most due to the fact that ratios are tighter. Preschool tends to be midrange. After school care typically costs a portion of full-day care, usually billed month-to-month for school days with optional add-ons for PD days and school breaks. Ask for a full fee schedule with these information: registration fees, deposit, supply cost, late pickup charges, and what takes place if you take a vacation week. Some centers credit a restricted number of holiday days annually if you notify. Others do not, since the expenses of staffing and lease do not drop when a child is absent.
If your area provides aids or charge reductions, a licensed daycare can typically help with the documents. Centers like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre generally know the regional policies and timelines, which can reduce your course from application to approval.
When one roofing system in fact helps learning
There's a misconception that after school care is simply couch time. Strong programs incorporate light academics with enrichment. I've seen centers established a turning schedule: a STEM obstacle on Tuesdays, art studio on Wednesdays, cooking on Thursdays. No grades, simply hands-on work. When a child invests the early morning in school and the afternoon developing a cardboard arcade, you get stories at supper you didn't need to pull like teeth.
The sweet spot is a strategy that is predictable enough to assure kids, yet flexible adequate to honor their mood. If the day has been heavy, personnel should let a child skip the challenge and check out in a corner with a beanbag. That sort of judgment originates from experience and a team that values children as people, not outputs.
Red flags that conserve you time
Here is a brief list worth keeping in your phone when you tour.
- Staff prevent eye contact with each other or with children, and you hear more whistles than names.
- The director can't reveal you their emergency situation drill records or last assessment results when asked.
- Snack is mostly cookies or juice boxes, day after day.
- Bathrooms smell strongly or look regularly unclean in between scheduled cleanings.
- Children seem glued to screens, and personnel can't state a clear screen-time policy.
A single off day happens. A pattern must send you back to your shortlist.
A peek of a day, hour by hour
Picture a child called Maya, age 5, who began at a local daycare as a toddler. She understands the front door code much better than some parents. Now in kindergarten, her bus brings up at 3:20 p.m. A team member called Mr. Luke reads off the lineup, checks the headcount, and strolls the group inside for handwashing. Snack is apple pieces with cinnamon and a small turkey wrap. Maya notifications her good friend Jonah developing a marble run and joins him for 10 minutes, then heads to the homework table to trace letters in her practice book. She's carried out in twelve minutes and gets a sticker label that says, "I completed my objective."
At 4:15 p.m., the group divides. Half go outside for a relay with swimming pool noodles. Half stay in for a clay job motivated by a book they read recently. At 5:05 p.m., Maya's mama gets here, hears from Mr. Luke that Maya sounded out 3 brand-new words, and they get the weekly newsletter by the door. The pickup is 5 minutes, not twenty, since the information is smooth and Maya already has her knapsack. Supper in your home starts on a much better footing because the after school rhythm made space for motion, fuel, and a quick academic win.
The role of interaction tools
An app can assist, however it's not a substitute for human discussion. The very best systems utilize a day-to-day log for young children and young children, with fast notes on meals, naps, and highlights. For school-age kids, weekly photos suffice, with occasional images. Emergency situations still trigger call. Approval slips for school outing get sent both digitally and on paper because backpacks are great voids. If a center relies only on hallway conversations, information get lost. If it relies only on the app, relationships flatten. Search for a blend.
Supporting varied families
Inclusive programs reveal it in their environment. Books show various households, holidays, and cultures. Labels appear in several languages where it makes good sense. Dietary requirements aren't dealt with as troubles. For children with impairments, lodgings are integrated in rather than bolted on. Visual schedules, peaceful zones, noise-canceling headphones, and staff trained to support sensory requirements make a genuine distinction. Ask how the center collaborates with therapists. A good response includes area for sees, methods to integrate therapy goals into day-to-day play, and realistic timelines.
Why The Learning Circle Childcare Centre design resonates
Centers that grow with households, like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre, anchor their method in relationships. They hire educators who understand how to get on the flooring with young children, style emerging projects for young children, and coach school-age kids through complex social characteristics. They keep ratios truthful, train substitutes well, and safeguard planning time so personnel aren't just treading water.
Because they are a certified daycare, they can participate in regional quality efforts and financing programs, which raises standards throughout the board. They prepare calendars a year beforehand, release closure dates early, and integrate in full-day care on school PD days so moms and dads aren't rushing. That sort of functional dependability is not flashy, however it's the backbone of one-stop convenience.

How to examine your options without losing a weekend
Set up tours at 2 or 3 locations, including your top "daycare centre near me" option and one wildcard a little additional out. Visit during active hours, not nap time. Enjoy how teachers welcome late arrivals and relieve a wobbly drop-off. Ask to stand silently for five minutes in each age group you appreciate. If your child will use after school care next year, still observe the preschool space now, since that's the team who forms the culture your child will grow into.
Bring 3 questions you won't leave without answering: What is your behavior guidance approach? How do you coordinate with local schools for after school care? How do you support personnel training and retention? The responses inform you almost everything else.
Two stories I never forget
A few years earlier, a storm hit daycare near me reviews at dismissal. Buses rerouted, traffic locked up, and phones lit like fireworks. The center director moved quickly, moved all school-age kids to the gym, sent out a single update through the app, and after that called households whose kids were delayed. Personnel served an additional snack, began a cooperative video game, and kept the space calm. Parents got here damp and anxious, however their children were great, even pleased with the unexpected experience. That type of response originates from practice, not luck.
In another case, a preschooler named Eli had a brand-new infant sister and hit a hard patch. Early morning drop-offs turned teary. The group developed a "family book" with pictures of Eli holding the baby, grandparents, even the household pet. Every early morning, a teacher sat with Eli for three minutes to read the book. Tears faded within a week. Years later on, Eli still went to that instructor during after school care to share Monday soccer scores. Connection matters, not as a motto, but as a series of small, thoughtful acts.
The peaceful high-end of a single pickup
By 5:30 p.m., the majority of moms and dads are out of decision-making power. The difference between driving across town to a second program and pulling into a familiar lot is the distinction between a tense evening and a simple one. A regional daycare with after school care hands you that ease. It uses a place where your baby becomes a toddler, your toddler a young child, your preschooler a school-age child who still feels known, and where your household rhythm holds steady through all those changes.
If you're scanning maps for a preschool near me, an early knowing centre with room to grow, or after school care that appreciates youth, walk into a program that can do all of it under one roof. Ask your concerns. Enjoy the room. Listen for laughter that seems like play, not sound. And pick the location that helps you breathe out when you step through the door.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre – South Surrey Campus
Also known as: The Learning Circle Ocean Park Campus; The Learning Circle Childcare South Surrey
Address: 100 – 12761 16 Avenue (Pacific Building), Surrey, BC V4A 1N3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-385-5890
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/
Campus page: https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/south-surrey-campus-oceanpark
Tagline: Providing Care & Early Education for the Whole Child Since 1992
Main services: Licensed childcare, daycare, preschool, before & after school care, Foundations classes (1–4), Foundations of Mindful Movement, summer camps, hot lunch & snacks
Primary service area: South Surrey, Ocean Park, White Rock BC
Google Maps
View on Google Maps (GBP-style search URL):
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=The+Learning+Circle+Childcare+Centre+-+South+Surrey+Campus,+12761+16+Ave,+Surrey,+BC+V4A+1N3
Plus code:
24JJ+JJ Surrey, British Columbia
Business Hours (Ocean Park / South Surrey Campus)
Regular hours:
Note: Hours may differ on statutory holidays; families are usually encouraged to confirm directly with the campus before visiting.
Social Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelearningcirclecorp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlc_corp/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelearningcirclechildcare
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus is a holistic childcare and early learning centre located at 100 – 12761 16 Avenue in the Pacific Building in South Surrey’s Ocean Park neighbourhood of Surrey, BC V4A 1N3, Canada.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus provides full-day childcare and preschool programs for children aged 1 to 5 through its Foundations 1, Foundations 2 and Foundations 3 classes.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus offers before-and-after school care for children 5 to 12 years old in its Foundations 4 Emerging Leaders program, serving Ecole Laronde, Ray Shepherd and Ocean Cliff elementary schools.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus focuses on whole-child development that blends academics, social-emotional learning, movement, nutrition and mindfulness in a safe, family-centred setting.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and is closed on weekends and most statutory holidays.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus serves families in South Surrey, Ocean Park and nearby White Rock, British Columbia.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus has the primary phone number +1 604-385-5890 for enrolment, tours and general enquiries.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus can be contacted by email at [email protected]
or via the online forms on https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/
.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus offers additional programs such as Foundations of Mindful Movement, a hot lunch and snack program, and seasonal camps for school-age children.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus is part of The Learning Circle Inc., an early learning network established in 1992 in British Columbia.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus is categorized as a day care center, child care service and early learning centre in local business directories and on Google Maps.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus values safety, respect, harmony and long-term relationships with families in the community.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus maintains an active online presence on Facebook, Instagram (@tlc_corp) and YouTube (The Learning Circle Childcare Centre Inc).
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus uses the Google Maps plus code 24JJ+JJ Surrey, British Columbia to identify its location close to Ocean Park Village and White Rock amenities.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus welcomes children from 12 months to 12 years and embraces inclusive, multicultural values that reflect the diversity of South Surrey and White Rock families.
People Also Ask about The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus
What ages does The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus accept?
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus typically welcomes children from about 12 months through 12 years of age, with age-specific Foundations programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Where is The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus located?
The campus is located in the Pacific Building at 100 – 12761 16 Avenue in South Surrey’s Ocean Park area, just a short drive from central White Rock and close to the 128 Street and 16 Avenue corridor.
What programs are offered at the South Surrey / Ocean Park campus?
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus offers Foundations 1 and 2 for infants and toddlers, Foundations 3 for preschoolers, Foundations 4 Emerging Leaders for school-age children, along with Foundations of Mindful Movement, hot lunch and snack programs, and seasonal camps.
Does The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus provide before and after school care?
Yes, the campus provides before-and-after school care through its Foundations 4 Emerging Leaders program, typically serving children who attend nearby elementary schools such as Ecole Laronde, Ray Shepherd and Ocean Cliff, subject to availability and current routing.
Are meals and snacks included in tuition?
Core programs at The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus usually include a hot lunch and snacks, designed to support healthy eating habits so families do not need to pack full meals each day.
What makes The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus different from other daycares?
The campus emphasizes a whole-child approach that balances school readiness, social-emotional growth, movement and mindfulness, with long-standing “Foundations” curriculum, dedicated early childhood educators, and a strong focus on safety and family partnerships.
Which neighbourhoods does The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus primarily serve?
The South Surrey campus primarily serves families living in Ocean Park, South Surrey and nearby White Rock, as well as commuters who travel along 16 Avenue and the 128 Street and 152 Street corridors.
How can I contact The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus?
You can contact The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus by calling +1 604-385-5890, by visiting their social channels such as Facebook and Instagram, or by going to https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/ to learn more and submit a tour or enrolment enquiry.