A Place to Play, Grow and Belong: New Dawn After School Program Returns for Another Year
For families like the MacLeods, affordable and inclusive after school care is making the transition to school a little easier.
Four-year-old Dallas MacLeod is starting school this week.
He’s joining the Pre-Primary program at St. Anne’s Elementary School in Glace Bay, where his older brother, Parker, is in Grade One. Starting school is a change that can feel scary and overwhelming for kids and their parents but, thanks to the New Dawn After School Program, it’s instead an exciting time for the MacLeod family.
“When he gets there he’s going to see so many familiar faces, so I think it’s going to be a breeze for him,” said Dallas and Parker’s dad, Jeff.
Last year, Parker was in Primary and was one of 104 children who attended on-site after school care at four elementary schools in Glace Bay: St. Anne’s, John Bernard Croak V.C Memorial, Tompkins Memorial, and Donkin. Dallas often tagged along with his parents to pick Parker up at the end of the day. Along the way, he got to know the staff, the other children and the place that will now become part of his own school-day routine.
“They just welcomed him with open arms,” Jeff said. “The staff is amazing with them and they love the outdoor time, and the gym, and they love the little activities and snacks. Every time I went in to pick up Parker, everybody in there was just having a great time.”
For Jeff and his wife, Amber, who both work full-time, the program has also made the daily logistics of work and family life a little easier.
“It took a lot of stress off when we got into the After School Program, especially the 5:30 pick-up time, and we know we have really good people there who love both my boys,” Jeff said.
Just as importantly, he added, the program is affordable — something he describes as “a huge help” for their family.
New Dawn’s After School Program is a provincially approved community provider and operates as part of the Nova Scotia Before and After Care Program, which means it receives funding from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to bring the cost for families to $13.75 a day per child, with additional financial support available for eligible families through the Child Care Subsidy Program.
When New Dawn launched the program in the fall of 2025, it increased the number of Nova Scotia Before and After Care locations in the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education from 11 to 15 and brought provincially approved after school care to Glace Bay.
“We know that finding inclusive, affordable, quality childcare can be an overwhelming challenge for so many families. That is why we are especially proud to be again offering an After School Program where every child belongs,” said New Dawn’s Manager of Early Childhood Education, April Benoit.
“Our goal has never been to simply provide care. We are creating a community where children of all abilities, backgrounds, and needs are given the opportunity to play, grow, and build meaningful relationships.”
The program provides care for children between 4 and 12, with priority given to Pre-primary, Primary, and Grade One students, and has a strong focus on outdoor play, physical activity, and overall well-being. Designed to support all children, including those with diverse abilities and those who may require extra support, the program fosters an inclusive environment where every child feels safe, welcomed, and empowered.
“We had a very successful school year last year and what began as ordinary afternoons quickly became places filled with laughter, blossomed friendships, support, love, and we are so grateful for the privilege of watching the children grow, become confident, discover a little more of themselves, overcome challenges, and simply enjoy being children,” April said.
As the Manager of Early Childhood Education, April is also overseeing the development of New Dawn’s Early Learning Centre, which will be located in the New Dawn Youth and Family Centre and will provide 49 new childcare spaces for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children — the first new licensed childcare in Glace Bay in over 50 years.
The 25,000 square-foot building, currently under construction and set to open in early 2027, is taking shape just across the street from St. Anne’s Elementary School, in full view of the children playing outside in the After School Program.
“Dallas loves seeing the cranes and the construction workers over there – he loves all that stuff – and we’re excited for it to open,” Jeff said of the Centre, which will offer free and low-cost programming for youth, families and seniors in partnership with local community and government organizations. The Centre will be the new home for Undercurrent Youth Society and its suite of programs and services it has been delivering for the youth of Glace Bay for twenty years.
In the meantime, April and her after school team are ready to welcome children back for another school year and to create the same sense of belonging that has meant so much to Dallas and his family.
“We are so thankful for each family who trusts us with the most important people in your lives; it is an absolute honour,” April said. “We can’t wait to continue to make memories with new and returning families in September.”
