Help me understand outsourcing aftercare?

[Anonymous]

Ok- we are starting PS3 at Tyler in the fall of 2016. Tyler is Title I, so we should have free aftercare.

But- turns out that the PTA at Tyler decided to use an outside supplier for the PS aftercare. That is all well and good if it was an option: where parents could pay for aftercare or use DCPS. However, DCPS does not even offer aftercare for the PS kids anymore at Tyler.

So help me understand this. Why, as a group of parents would you run out free aftercare?

[Anonymous]

I know nothing about Tyler, but perhaps the aftercare was really terrible and eventually no one signed up.

[Anonymous]

Tyler is on this list of DCPS after care programs for 2016 - starts 8/23/2016 http://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/page_content/attachments/OSTP%20Start%20Dates.pdf

[Anonymous]

No Pay = No accountability. And the old "you get what you pay for" cliche. Free aftercare is terrific so long as it's good: your children are happy, engaged, cared for, protected, given age-appropriate activities and playmates, healthy snack, etc. But when you see your child unhappy or lost in a sea of chaos in a poorly run aftercare program, paying suddenly sounds OK.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tyler is on this list of DCPS after care programs for 2016 - starts 8/23/2016 http://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/page_content/attachments/OSTP%20Start%20Dates.pdf

OP - just call these people and ask what is the plan for Tyler next year. Then you can decide if you want to enroll your child.

http://dcps.dc.gov/afterschool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No Pay = No accountability. And the old "you get what you pay for" cliche. Free aftercare is terrific so long as it's good: your children are happy, engaged, cared for, protected, given age-appropriate activities and playmates, healthy snack, etc. But when you see your child unhappy or lost in a sea of chaos in a poorly run aftercare program, paying suddenly sounds OK.

OP, I get that. BUT aftercare is still just aftercare. I doubt that my kid will be 'engaged' or really treated any better than it would have been with DCPS aftercare. I am annoyed that someone else made that choice for me. You do not want your kids with 'poor' kids in DCPS aftercare, then YOU do something differently.



And to the previous pp, Tyler still has DCPS aftercare- but does not start until K.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I have to enroll my kid at Tyler. It is an Early Stages placement issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I have to enroll my kid at Tyler. It is an Early Stages placement issue.

OP, at least 2 or 3 of the aides in the Tyler autism program also teach in the aftercare, and likely would be assigned to your child if an early stages placement. At least one of the aides is from the early childhood room.

[Anonymous]

At our Title 1, DCPS aftercare for the upcoming school year will only be free to low-income families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our Title 1, DCPS aftercare for the upcoming school year will only be free to low-income families.

Right, I get that. But you won't pay $500 a month for it either. That is the cost for the outside provider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our Title 1, DCPS aftercare for the upcoming school year will only be free to low-income families.

Right, I get that. But you won't pay $500 a month for it either. That is the cost for the outside provider.

NP. You don't know how much the PP will be paying. $500 is on the high side but not way out of line for an aftercare provider.

And I do think that DCPS free aftercare should only be offered to families that qualify for free/reduced meals. Other families should either have to pay for the DCPS one, or enroll in a private aftercare. Free aftercare shouldn't be to save some middle class parents money, it should be for helping those who couldn't afford it otherwise.

[Anonymous]

So your original question was, why would a group of parents choose to pay for aftercare if they could get it for free?

The answer is that sometimes, you get what you pay for. DCPS aftercare does not have a great reputation. Kids watching TV. Little to no "enrichment" activities. Limited supervision. Crappy snacks. Programs that you pay for tend to try harder to impress with their programmatic offerings.

As for the low income families issue, yes, I agree that $500/mo is probably more than many want to pay. I have also observed that there are discounts for low income families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our Title 1, DCPS aftercare for the upcoming school year will only be free to low-income families.

Right, I get that. But you won't pay $500 a month for it either. That is the cost for the outside provider.

NP. You don't know how much the PP will be paying. $500 is on the high side but not way out of line for an aftercare provider.

And I do think that DCPS free aftercare should only be offered to families that qualify for free/reduced meals. Other families should either have to pay for the DCPS one, or enroll in a private aftercare. Free aftercare shouldn't be to save some middle class parents money, it should be for helping those who couldn't afford it otherwise.

Cool. But it should be be for another group of parents to make that CHOICE for me.
Also- the provider they selected has a history of not wanting to take SN kids. Its an issue for me. You bet your ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our Title 1, DCPS aftercare for the upcoming school year will only be free to low-income families.

Right, I get that. But you won't pay $500 a month for it either. That is the cost for the outside provider.

NP. You don't know how much the PP will be paying. $500 is on the high side but not way out of line for an aftercare provider.

And I do think that DCPS free aftercare should only be offered to families that qualify for free/reduced meals. Other families should either have to pay for the DCPS one, or enroll in a private aftercare. Free aftercare shouldn't be to save some middle class parents money, it should be for helping those who couldn't afford it otherwise.

Cool. But it should be be for another group of parents to make that CHOICE for me.
Also- the provider they selected has a history of not wanting to take SN kids. Its an issue for me. You bet your ass.

I hear you OP. I'm not thrilled that at our Title I, the school is considering a high-end aftercare provider. The only suggestion I can make is that you should get involved in the PTA and voice your concerns. They probably helped in making the decision to go for an aftercare provider.

[Anonymous]

OP, while I get your concern, being annoyed that somebody made a choice for you when you are not even at the school is a stretch. once you are enrolled, make your calls to the PTA/whomever is in charge of aftercare and the aftercare provider and see if they have a sliding scale and also make them aware that you have a SN child.