A group is calling the province’s before and after school program a ‘patchwork.’

Child Care Now NS says it doesn’t address the urgent need for a comprehensive, licensed system.

The province announced last week that program will expand to 21 more schools.

But the group says it’s only supervision, and is not the same as licensed, high-quality care that families need.

They say most BAP programs don’t operate before school, outside of a handful in Halifax, and don’t cover March Break, Christmas break and summer vacation.

And, it’s only for school-aged children.

The province says growing the program is a priority, and informed by a standardized provincial approach to provide the need for before and after school care.