If you can't get into aftercare at your child's DCPS school

[Anonymous]

We are in the throes of stressing out about the DCPS OOB lottery for our rising preschooler, and it's hard to realize that the before and after-care options (both availability and quality) vary so much by school. Right now she's in an all-day daycare, so once we get her there, we don't have to worry until 6:00. And, even that is sometimes a challenge when work issues come up.

What do full-time working parents do if the school they want doesn't have enough after-care spots to meet the demand? I fear it will be a hodge-podge strategy of varied work schedules, trying to connect with families we don't know who might be in the same boat, and/or trying to find a reliable afternoon sitter.

This could be putting the cart far ahead of the horse since our chances of getting into one of the programs we want are limited, but I'd appreciate any suggestions.

thanks,
M

[Anonymous]

As a working family, I have to say that this is not putting the cart in front of the horse. Taking a long hard look at aftercare options (quality and quantity) is absolutely crucial and will be for years to come. You don't want to be left scrambling to figure things out as you go or you'll drive a huge nail into an otherwise probably good experience. In fact, I'd go as far as saying that can be a decisive criteria. It was for us and we're glad we made it one, as we've benefited from quality, affordable, and readily available aftercare for five hears now. And it was a criteria for which continuing at our daycare ended up second on the list of our preferences while entering the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Our DCPS aftercare is pretty basic, but it's safe and our preschooler seems happy enough. And it runs until 6:30 --we try not to leave her there that late but it's great to have that cushion.

I suggest calling the three schools you're most likely to get into and asking about how the aftercare works and whether they have spots for every family who needs aftercare, or not. Also find out how you get a spot (do you sign up just before school starts? Is it first come first served?). Having this info might ease your mind a bit.

Of course you will also need to figure out how to cover the many days school is closed (for teacher training or conferences) or ends early.

[Anonymous]

I have never met anybody who needed aftercare who couldn't get it. Just make sure to fill out the application as soon as you determine your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never met anybody who needed aftercare who couldn't get it. Just make sure to fill out the application as soon as you determine your school.

If you are at Key, you may not get aftercare. This is the only school I have heard of that does not have enough spots.

[Anonymous]

We were told at a recent Takoma open house that they only have 10 aftercare spaces for preschoolers (and there are 30 preschool slots), allocated first-come, first-served in August. Have others heard this as well? Or, does anyone with kids at Takoma have an inside scoop or perspective on this?

[Anonymous]

If aftercare is a concern, you also need to think about what you're going to do next summer when school is out. Do you have a summer babysitter or nanny share? There aren't a lot of quality, full-day rising-PK4 camps or programs out there.

[Anonymous]

I am definitely stressing about this for my rising preKer for the summer. Daycare has its advantages!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am definitely stressing about this for my rising preKer for the summer. Daycare has its advantages!

there are definitely PreK options for summer camps - but they are not cheap. However, if the alternative if full day daycare OR paying for summer camp, paying for summer camp is much cheaper.

Some camps in NW that offer programs starting at 3 (or 4) include:
Headfirst at St. Alban's
Sidwell Summer
Summer Horizons at NPS
GDS starts at age 5
Summer at Beauvior
CASA at Sheridan
WIS

Remember - there programs are renting space from the school and may be just using the name. So do not think "Oh it is WIS, it must be great". Ask questions!

[Anonymous]

We kept our child in childcare for PK 4 in part because we thought she would benefit from continuity -- familiar teachers and routine thro the day, rather than being sent into a different space for aftercare, possibly with older children.

[Anonymous]

Definitely important to consider. Not all schools have before care, and the hours vary as to how early and how late before and after care is open. Some schools offer drop in care on certain professional development, early release, or other days when school is closed; most do not. And of course, there is winter break, spring break, federal holidays and summer.

It is a Rubik's cube putting it together. But once you get the day-to-day school day worked out, there can be options for the other days, i.e., DCJCC has drop off care on some DCPS days off. For summer there are camp options.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely important to consider. Not all schools have before care, and the hours vary as to how early and how late before and after care is open. Some schools offer drop in care on certain professional development, early release, or other days when school is closed; most do not. And of course, there is winter break, spring break, federal holidays and summer.

It is a Rubik's cube putting it together. But once you get the day-to-day school day worked out, there can be options for the other days, i.e., DCJCC has drop off care on some DCPS days off. For summer there are camp options.

Good luck!

Can you list the schools that do not have before care - this is news to me and I would love to have this info.

THanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely important to consider. Not all schools have before care, and the hours vary as to how early and how late before and after care is open. Some schools offer drop in care on certain professional development, early release, or other days when school is closed; most do not. And of course, there is winter break, spring break, federal holidays and summer.

It is a Rubik's cube putting it together. But once you get the day-to-day school day worked out, there can be options for the other days, i.e., DCJCC has drop off care on some DCPS days off. For summer there are camp options.

Good luck!

Can you list the schools that do not have before care - this is news to me and I would love to have this info.

THanks!

check with the schools which you are interested in. They will be able to tell you if beforecare is offered. Our school doesn't offer it but because breakfast starts at 8 you can drop off your K-5th grader, PreS/PreK are not allowed before 8:15

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely important to consider. Not all schools have before care, and the hours vary as to how early and how late before and after care is open. Some schools offer drop in care on certain professional development, early release, or other days when school is closed; most do not. And of course, there is winter break, spring break, federal holidays and summer.

It is a Rubik's cube putting it together. But once you get the day-to-day school day worked out, there can be options for the other days, i.e., DCJCC has drop off care on some DCPS days off. For summer there are camp options.

Good luck!

I have depended on a stay-at-home-dad until now, but he's going back to work soon and I, too, am panicking about what we'll do with our two preschoolers on the days DCPS schools are closed. Our previous daycare have said they'll take our 3-year-old but not our 5-year-old. Are there ANY options for drop-in care in DC besides DCJCC?

[Anonymous]

I have depended on a stay-at-home-dad until now, but he's going back to work soon and I, too, am panicking about what we'll do with our two preschoolers on the days DCPS schools are closed. Our previous daycare have said they'll take our 3-year-old but not our 5-year-old. Are there ANY options for drop-in care in DC besides DCJCC?

Yes, there are (Polite Piggies, etc.) but even more likely is that your 5 year old will have a special school friend or two and you can work out a deal with that kid's parents-- "I'll watch your kids and mine in the morning and you watch the bunch in the afternoon?" or switch days. This is a great way to do things as it is often much more fun and easy to care for multiples of kids rather than just your own. Plenty of nannies are also willing to watch over additional kids-- of course you ned to check with their regular employer, too.