Extended Day program in Arlington

[Anonymous]

My daughter will be in kindergarten at Randolph starting in September. We are weighing putting her in the Extended Day for after-school care versus making another arrangement (possibly going to the home of a SAHM in the neighborhood; possibly hiring a sitter, etc.).

The upside is that the cost is very reasonable.

The downside is that I have to pick up my younger daughter at daycare by 6:00pm; Extended Day also ends at 6:00pm and getting to both places every day, given my commute, is going to be extremely stressful.

Do people generally like the Extended Day program in Arlington? How do others cope with the issue of picking up in 2 places by 6:00pm?

[Anonymous]

My daughter enjoyed the extended day program, and in general, that's what I hear from other parents too. I don't know Randolph, but other elementaries have after-school clubs the kids can choose to be a part of (usually an additional fee), and it is really easy for the extended day kids to take part in those clubs.

That said, if you don't see yourself making it to both places by 6pm every day, different plans should be made. You don't want that kind of stress all year! For us, either my husband or I went to work early so that one of us could pick them up by 5pm at both places on a regular basis. So is going to work earlier an option for you? (This year they will finally be in school together. Yeah!)

[Anonymous]

Is there a daycare in your neighborhood that provides after-care for your school? Then you could put both kids in one daycare and do one pickup. I'm not sure how the price would compare, though. Our daycare in Fairfax provided this service for the local elementary school - the bus made a stop at the daycare in the morning and evening.

[Anonymous]

OP. No daycare in the neighborhood, that I'm aware of. Any other thoughts/feedback about quality, appeal, problems, etc. of extended day, generally?

[Anonymous]

11:45 PP here - unfortunately no advice on after-care because we haven't had to use it yet. We're moving into Arlington in two weeks, but my daughter won't be in kindergarten for another couple of years. She's currently in full-day preschool. The extended day program was a factor in our move to Arlington from Fairfax. Good luck, though!!

[Anonymous]

We have been very happy with Extended Day - this will be our third year in September. Is there someone else who could do one of the pickups for you? Spouse or family member? Or at least be on call to do it if you can't make it in time? Maybe you will discover someone in your neighborhood who does Extended Day and you could work out a carpooling system for the pickup?

I have had times when we've had to call my mom or a neighbor to pick up because we've been running late. As long as they are on the pickup list when you register it's not a problem.

[Anonymous]

There are a few home-based daycares in that neighborhood. Our former provider is just at the other end of 13th St. Not sure if she has space or could take a child after school but here's the address and phone number:
13th St S Arlington, VA, 22204
[phone]

[Anonymous]

I think they fill pretty quickly..is it an option at this point?

[Anonymous]

If you registered by Aug 1 you were guaranteed a spot. It is still probably possible to get in though - you should call the office on Monday. First payment is due Aug 15.