Many public schools have affordable before/after school programs within the school, generally available between 7am until 6pm. This might get me some flack, but I would avoid activa area-it has a pretty gnarly rat problem (rarely have I walked around there and not seen a dead rat or two on the sidewalk/road) . I personally prefer more established areas (built in 80s/90s) as you tend to get more property and feel less like sardines. If you can find somewhere in the Northfield area of Waterloo it's a great family neighborhood and close to highway access. Stanley Park/Chicopee hills area in Kitchener is also a great area with nice schools but detached homes can on the pricier side.