Okotoks Before & After School Centre - Okotoks, Alberta

Nicole F.

This is my daughter's fourth year here and she attends summer there as well, the summer program is amazing so many activities and fun for all. Gwen and all of the staff are incredible. My daughter cringes if I pick her up too early sometimes because she may be in a middle of a craft or playing bingo or just hanging out with her friends. We are truly blessed to have found such a gem of a place. There was an incident just last week my daughter got hurt by complete accident at an extra curricular activity and I was informed right away. PROUD of the care the staff put into this place.

Kiersten M.

My daughter has so much fun at before and after school care. Gwen, Bailey and Maddie are great with the kids. They are always going to fun places in the summer and I know my daughter is having a blast at after school care. You can tell they really care for each individual child and love interacting with them.

Julia K. B.

Gwen and her staff are amazing! She has taken great care of my 3 boys over the years with regular care, summer care and even drop ins. They are always available when needed and I'm always confident to recommend my own dayhome kids to her once I no longer have the space for school aged children.

Alyssa A.

As someone who attended this facility I can honestly say it helped me grow into the person I am today. Gwen and her staff became like family to me and my brother. I am 21 now, and I still remember the activities, field trips and just the overall atmosphere of the daycare. My brother and I started attending the daycare when I was 4 and he was 8 and we have so many amazing memories from it. The staff took such amazing care of everyone, and taught us so many valuable lessons. I can honestly say we wouldn't be half the people we are today without this place.
I met so many incredible people that I am still friends with to this day, and I am so grateful that this facility was like my second home and provided me with so many wonderful friends that I know consider my family. ❤

Kelsey G.

This is my kids' second year at Okotoks Before & After School Center. They love it !! Gwen, Baylee and Caddia are always involved in crafting / playing with the kids and have built a special friendship with them during their time here. They truly make this place feel like home away from home for my kids while we're at work and for that I am forever grateful. The center is always kept clean, organized, they're reliable and have great communication. Highly recommend OBASC for your kiddos!

Parnel R.

My son has been going here for about 4 years (he's 8 years old now) and we have nothing but great things to say about them. The facilities are always clean and safe, the staff are amazing with the kids and they're always great with communicating to the parents. Baylee, Gwen and Caddia are the dream team when it comes to daycares. Highly recommended.

Brooke C.

Very helpful and caring. Will sit and do crafts with the kids which one of my daughters really enjoy. Has so much toys that she is able to reach into everyone of my kids interests all at once. My kids were there last year for a few months and are there again this year.

Tyler A.

Most of the reviews and testimonies come from parents of kids in the programs, I was fortunate enough to have grown up in this program for many years, so this may be a little different.

It has been 13 years since my sister and I were in the okotoks before and after school program under Gwen Halsted. I can say with absolute certainty that my best childhood memories took place at 65 Robinson drive. Just thinking about it now brings a flood of positive memories.

As an adult today I can look back and see all the positive lessons I learned while attending the programs. Whether it was to be Humble In victory, Graceful In defeat, I learned leadership, creativity, friendship, how to socialize, to stick up for the little guys, responsibility, kindness/respect to people of all beliefs and backgrounds. But one of the most important lessons Gwen and her family taught us was what a family feels like, and how you didn’t have to be blood to love and care for each other.
I still can remember 13 years later how excited I would get waiting at school for the bells to ring. I looked forward to the program every morning and after school (The summer program being my favorite!). Whether I was sick, sad, or acting out. Gwen and her family always seemed to be a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or a stern voice to set me straight. They were there with me and my sister through all the growing pains of life.
With their large roster of activities I learned much about my likes/dislikes and with such a well structured variety I never felt bored, or over whelmed. (plus was I ever worn out everyday!) I can remember always feeling safe, and at home because I could talk to them about anything. They never judged and were always available to help, no matter how small or big the problem was. Be it school work, or the complexity of growing up, and why girls have cooties! In Gwens hands we were safe.
Above all else what matters the most as a kid, I had fun. And I keep the memories of Gwen, her wonderful family, and the before and after school daycare very close to my heart. I would recommend this program to any and everyone. Especially parents who work full time and wish their kids to develop important lifelong skills. As I believe they helped shape me into the man I am today!
I love you Gwen and family! I believe you have changed the trajectory of my life forever in a positive way! Don’t ever stop being yourselves!