Did you know that your child’s public school may be the best source of after-school daycare? Whether parents need a little after-school support due to work or personal obligations, many public schools may provide much-needed support.
With rising parents needing childcare assistance, many public schools have introduced after-school programs, child-sitting, and additional activities. For parents needing a few extra hours of child care after school or seeking support during school breaks and holidays, children can enjoy supervised activities and attention at an array of public school childcare venues!
After School Child Care
Depending on a child’s school policies and programs, most public schools offer free or reduced-cost childcare services. For example, Charlotte Public Schools, located in Michigan, supports parents before and after school. According to the county, children ranging from 6 weeks to 12 years of age can receive childcare services Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 6 pm. While costs of the child care range depending on the child’s age, the time of day, and the duration of service, Charlotte offers support that ranges from $7 to $40 per day.
In addition to Charlotte Public Schools, Fairfax County Schools, located in Virginia, provide parents with after-school support for kids. Unlike Charlotte schools, however, Fairfax allows parents to receive child care support with a sliding fee scale. Essentially, each parent/family is provided with a unique and specialized price option based on the family’s gross household income. This helps parents of all economic backgrounds to possess the ability to utilize the positive, professional, and caring support of the public school daycare programs. For example, a family with a gross income of under $14,000 can receive daycare support for as low as $7 to $10 daily.
This video suggests some activities for after-school programs.
Vacation and Holiday Child Care
In addition to before and after-school care, many parents often seek childcare support during school breaks and holidays. In addition to their regular daycare, Charlotte Public Schools also offer a spring break daycare program for children ranging from kindergarten through 12. 2009 for example, the spring break program will run from 6:30 am to 6 pm and cost only $130 for the whole week of support. While Charlotte, as with all public school vacation care programs, strives to provide parents with affordable and convenient resources, these school-based venues also provide children with interactive and academic activities!
Many public school childcare programs offer activity-specific themes or events during these vacations and breaks. In examining Charlotte’s spring break daycare theme, titled “Wacky Chef Week,” attending children can learn more about cooking, baking, and making recipes and food items. Adding to Charlotte’s spring break event, Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) located in Virginia, also provide vacation-based child care programs. During school-year breaks and the summer-long sojourn, children are provided with board games, art projects, theater events, literacy activities, and additional service learning venues. Also, children attending FCCPS summer daycare events are even provided with weekly field trips and opportunities to swim alongside other outdoor activities!
After School “Teen Care”
While most teenagers desire more freedom and independence, many parents are concerned about leaving their pre-teens and young teens home for long hours without supervision. While middle and high schools do not offer student-centered “teen care,” they provide alternative programs to help parents find assurance and peace of mind.
Nearly all middle and high schools offer sports, clubs, and other after-school activities. As almost all public schools require an adult and/or teacher to supervise extracurricular venues, parents can encourage their teens to enroll in these groups. Teens can interact with peers, expand their friendship circle, and improve their academic or athletic skills when they participate in extracurricular events. Best of all, parents can feel confident knowing that their teen is under the care of an adult during the after-school hours.
From kindergarten to high school, your child’s public school may provide the affordable yet reliable child care that busy parents seek.
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