Established in 1975, PLASP developed from a need in the community for a lunch and after school program in schools across Peel. This need was identified by the Social Planning Council of Peel, through a Local Initiatives Project Grant and was addressed by a multi-agency planning and management committee. This committee consisted of the Peel District School Board; the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board; the Region of Peel, Social Services Department; the City of Mississauga, Recreation and Parks Department; the City of Brampton, Parks and Recreation Department; the Peel Region YMCA-YWCA and the Social Planning Council of Peel.
PLASP opened its first After School programs in Floradale Public School and Lakeview Beach Public School in Mississauga and Hanover Public School in Brampton. The demand for services quickly grew, enabling PLASP to become self-supporting in 1978, offering programs on a fee-for-service basis. By 1980, PLASP was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with charitable status.
Throughout the years, PLASP has continued to grow and provide high-quality child care to children up to 12 years of age. Original services included Lunch and After School programs and quickly evolved to offer a variety of other School Age Programs including Before School, P.A. Day trips, and seasonal camps.
In 1988, PLASP opened its first Child Care Centre. Today PLASP operates more than 30 Early Learning and Child Care Centres in Peel and Toronto that provide care for children up to 5 years of age. In 2018, PLASP opened its first EarlyON Child and Family Centre at Shelter Bay Public School. EarlyON Centres provide inclusive and welcoming programs for caregivers and children up to 6 years of age.
Did you know? PLASP's original name was Peel Lunch and After School Program, and was eventually shortened to the acronym PLASP.