Anonymous
Post 01/02/2026 16:54     Subject: APS aftercare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Name the school and somebody will tell you waitlist or not. ATS and Cardinal = waitlists.


Claremont

That’s not the northern part of the county and they usually do have a waitlist
they do have a waitlist
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2026 07:32     Subject: APS aftercare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. We are looking at Arlington elemetary schools. We are casting a wide net so don't have a specific school in mind to ask about. I still can't figure out if each school contracts out for aftercare (so the school makes the decision) or the county provides it for all schools. And are there outside providers that pick up kids for programs (music, art, dance)? Aftercare at our NW school is bad. We don't need fantastic aftercare options, just one with competent staff that actually watch the kids. Enrichment would be a huge plus!

The quality of care is really inconsistent. A couple of years ago a kid got bit in the face by a dog at aftercare, to the point they needed multiple stitches, and the staff didn't know until the injured kid's parent showed up and couldn't find their kid. They were in the bathroom dealing with the blood. All the kids knew. The staff had no idea what was going on.


This is worrisome. Does the county, school system, or school take responsibility for oversight?

Incidents happen at literally every childcare situation on occasion. You’ll handle any issues at the school level, though the county does inspections like other daycares.
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2026 22:51     Subject: APS aftercare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. We are looking at Arlington elemetary schools. We are casting a wide net so don't have a specific school in mind to ask about. I still can't figure out if each school contracts out for aftercare (so the school makes the decision) or the county provides it for all schools. And are there outside providers that pick up kids for programs (music, art, dance)? Aftercare at our NW school is bad. We don't need fantastic aftercare options, just one with competent staff that actually watch the kids. Enrichment would be a huge plus!

The quality of care is really inconsistent. A couple of years ago a kid got bit in the face by a dog at aftercare, to the point they needed multiple stitches, and the staff didn't know until the injured kid's parent showed up and couldn't find their kid. They were in the bathroom dealing with the blood. All the kids knew. The staff had no idea what was going on.


This is worrisome. Does the county, school system, or school take responsibility for oversight?
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2025 19:26     Subject: APS aftercare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Name the school and somebody will tell you waitlist or not. ATS and Cardinal = waitlists.


What are the options if your kids are waitlisted?


Depends. Besides Baroody, which is at the school, your third party options are going to depend on how oversubscribed the aftercare wait list is and how long it’s been that way. In other words, supply depends on demand.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 10:54     Subject: APS aftercare
Anonymous wrote:OP here. We are looking at Arlington elemetary schools. We are casting a wide net so don't have a specific school in mind to ask about. I still can't figure out if each school contracts out for aftercare (so the school makes the decision) or the county provides it for all schools. And are there outside providers that pick up kids for programs (music, art, dance)? Aftercare at our NW school is bad. We don't need fantastic aftercare options, just one with competent staff that actually watch the kids. Enrichment would be a huge plus!

The quality of care is really inconsistent. A couple of years ago a kid got bit in the face by a dog at aftercare, to the point they needed multiple stitches, and the staff didn't know until the injured kid's parent showed up and couldn't find their kid. They were in the bathroom dealing with the blood. All the kids knew. The staff had no idea what was going on.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 08:39     Subject: APS aftercare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Name the school and somebody will tell you waitlist or not. ATS and Cardinal = waitlists.


Claremont

That’s not the northern part of the county and they usually do have a waitlist
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 07:50     Subject: APS aftercare
Anonymous wrote:Name the school and somebody will tell you waitlist or not. ATS and Cardinal = waitlists.


Claremont
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 21:03     Subject: APS aftercare
Anonymous wrote:Name the school and somebody will tell you waitlist or not. ATS and Cardinal = waitlists.


What are the options if your kids are waitlisted?
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 18:49     Subject: APS aftercare
Anonymous wrote:OP here. We are looking at Arlington elemetary schools. We are casting a wide net so don't have a specific school in mind to ask about. I still can't figure out if each school contracts out for aftercare (so the school makes the decision) or the county provides it for all schools. And are there outside providers that pick up kids for programs (music, art, dance)? Aftercare at our NW school is bad. We don't need fantastic aftercare options, just one with competent staff that actually watch the kids. Enrichment would be a huge plus!

APS has extended day staff at every elementary school. They are APS employees, not contractors. Many if not all schools offer enrichment in addition to extended day, usually through Baroody Camps. Some outside places like martial art schools run buses and pick kids up as another option.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 18:40     Subject: APS aftercare
OP here. We are looking at Arlington elemetary schools. We are casting a wide net so don't have a specific school in mind to ask about. I still can't figure out if each school contracts out for aftercare (so the school makes the decision) or the county provides it for all schools. And are there outside providers that pick up kids for programs (music, art, dance)? Aftercare at our NW school is bad. We don't need fantastic aftercare options, just one with competent staff that actually watch the kids. Enrichment would be a huge plus!
Anonymous
Post 12/26/2025 12:54     Subject: APS aftercare
OP, are you going to be living in Arlington (APS schools) or Alexandria (ACPS schools)? Because what you’re describing sounds like Alexandria… The Campagna program runs the afterschool centers at some schools, and the city rec department runs them at some schools. Plus, there are private providers and some include transportation, like taekwondo schools, etc.
Anonymous
Post 12/23/2025 17:05     Subject: APS aftercare
Are your kids in elementary OP?
Anonymous
Post 12/23/2025 15:56     Subject: APS aftercare
Name the school and somebody will tell you waitlist or not. ATS and Cardinal = waitlists.
Anonymous
Post 12/23/2025 12:12     Subject: APS aftercare
Extended day is provided at each school. Some schools have waitlists, others do not.
Anonymous
Post 12/23/2025 12:07     Subject: APS aftercare
We are going to be moving to the area next year and I'm confused about aftercare in the public schools. Is it a county wide program? Some schools sent you to a county website but also had other options. We are looking to live in the northern part of the county, in case that makes a difference.