Somewhat at a loss: Fairfax aftercare: Why ONLYN dojos?

[Anonymous]

I don't disagree that there is a need in the community.I think what happens a lot is that people just have au pairs or nannies for their younger kids who take care of the before and aftercare, too, for the school aged.

Shoot, if I lived near you, I'd happily help you. Do you have a neighborhood facebook page or something where you could put the word out that you are looking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have friends in annandale that send their kids to the jewish community center....who are absolutely not jewish.

OP here: Yes, my child has attended a JCC in our former hometown. It, too, was multi/nonfaith, and did not proselytize in the least. We LOVED IT and it is still the high point of childcare and camp experiences for us/ Were we in Annandale, I'd jump on that JCC!

(It's crass to say so, but were there a JCC aftercare in McLean, I'd happily send my kid there...but as a survivor of a fundamentalist Christian upbringing, I have zero interest in supporting any Christian church or getting my kid anywhere near one. JCCs know how to do the childcare/fun afterschool/camp experience without bringing in the urge to convert.)

Could we not make this about religion, though? Sounds like others would like to know about the range of non-SACC aftercare activities in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to do a little more research. Here are some options but not sure which school you are at so the options will vary school to school in Mclean area
Here is a list in your area. It has been posted before. Take comfort in that there are MANY people in your same situation.
Jhoon Rhee
Einshin Karate
Redeemer Lutheran
It's Elementary
Chesterbrook United Methodist Church
Metaphor Academic Center
Our small world
A house on Great Falls that has a huge sign outside that says school after with phone number around Tuckahoe Pool
A lot of people get after school sitters from Care.com, Sitter City, etc

OP here: My kid is already at one of those dojos, and we are SO not Christian or religious, nor are willing to get into a religious care situation. Yet you're right: we do need to beat the pavement a bit more.

The churches that run the program do not run them a Christian enterprises. My family is also not Christian and I would have no problem with my children going to either one. They run them because there was a need in the community.

+1 my kid was at Redeemer and its a space they do not preach to the kids what so ever. It is simply a great after school program with fun activities(not religious) But if you are going to complain about no care options…. then I guess you are also being picky.

[Anonymous]

OP here: OK, ok!

Gonna go check out Redeemer Lutheran. I really don't want to dig my heels in or be picky. I'm just relatively new in town and looking for non-ideological options, e.g., Fight Club versus Hug Jesus!.

Thanks, guys....you have given me some good leads, and I admit I bring my own opinions to bear on local aftercare options. (I'm from Vancouver and this town is all new.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmm, well we found a neighborhood in home daycare in our school zone. And of course there are daycare centers with busses at most schools.

It really just depends. Some of the gymnastics places do pick ups, there might also be arts/theater places (there is one in Reston that we were hoping to use if we'd bought there).

It really just depends on your school zone.

Interested in this arts/theater place in Reston. Do you know the name of it?

[Anonymous]

Do not use S.H. Kim!!! People before have posted on this board, but the owner is dishonest in my opinion and tricks people into signing contracts. The service is crappy and then you can't get out of the contact.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, OP, that sucks. I think the closer-in more expensive areas have a lot less aftercare options and a lot more demand. The farther out in Fairfax you go, the more childcare and SACC spaces you get. We are far out and there are several childcare pickups at our school and no SACC waiting list.

I'm surprised the TKD places don't need a childcare license though! I wonder why.

[Anonymous]

I think most people in Mclean either don't need aftercare or can afford a sitter. Plus the real estate is more expensive there. Spring Hill uses the rec center for aftercare as well as their school so that helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmm, well we found a neighborhood in home daycare in our school zone. And of course there are daycare centers with busses at most schools.

It really just depends. Some of the gymnastics places do pick ups, there might also be arts/theater places (there is one in Reston that we were hoping to use if we'd bought there).

It really just depends on your school zone.

Interested in this arts/theater place in Reston. Do you know the name of it?

Lopez Studios - it seems the website is messed up, though.

https://www.facebook.com/lopezstudiosinc

[Anonymous]

We love our TKD place. Many do, it's market driven.

Our preK had an afterschool program for grades 1-3 but it's in Reston.

Have you tried a different TKD?

[Anonymous]

Is there someone in your neighborhood who also needs after care for similar aged kids? Maybe you could share a sitter and the kids could just come to your home. They could get a snack, do homework and play outside, and you wouldn't have to worry about pick up on the way home. Would something like that work for you?

[Anonymous]

We are in the same boat - in McLean near the Arlington line. It is a daycare dead zone and the SACC programs have a super long list.

Tips - if you get into SACC for before care (which should open up earlier than after-care), take it. That will allow your DC to attend the SACC program during breaks/teacher work days (for an additional fee, but easy).

We are at Chesterbrook UMC for after-care. It is not religious at all. It's located in a building behind the church and they bus from a few schools nearby. It's a great program, but warning - does not operate on the FFX county schedule, so there are a few days when CUMC is closed, but FCPS is open. Also same for school closures.

Good luck. I had no idea when we moved to McLean it was such a daycare / after care dead zone. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried the YMCA? I am not in Fairfax but am in Alexandria City and I know the Y does aftercare with transportation as I have seen the little white bus in carpool line at my kids' school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The TKD places also don't have to be licensed child care centers so it's a huge ca$h grab for them. The unlicensed nature is actually concerning to me as a parent.

A majority of martial art schools around here are nothing but belt factories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, OP, that sucks. I think the closer-in more expensive areas have a lot less aftercare options and a lot more demand. The farther out in Fairfax you go, the more childcare and SACC spaces you get. We are far out and there are several childcare pickups at our school and no SACC waiting list.

I'm surprised the TKD places don't need a childcare license though! I wonder why.

That's because most folks closer in are wealthier and tend to have SAHM. Further out you have dual Fed couples commuting 1+ hrs so they have crazy day care coverage (like 530am - 7pm) and the like.

OP can you split shift your schedules so one of you can come home earlier?