OP here: thank you for your responses!

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who will start a private school in DC in August. I am already a little bit concerned about the number of half-days they put in their calendar. What people usually do in such situations? Our school doesn't offer any after care during these days. Also, are there any camps in DC which start their summer programs earlier than MD and VA public schools are off for summer?

For 1/2 days or early releases, you either find another family who is in the same situation and swap days, take a 1/2 day off, hire a sitter.

We get an grandparent in for the 1st week and last week of school b/c there is so much start and stops especially for the youngest ones.

Headfirst starts the 9th.

Our school had aftercare options for many of the half days - but a few are not available.

We also end up with a week at the end fo school where there are two half days and three days off. That week can be tough. (this year that is June 9 week) But I know of at least one family that skipped school that last week and just send their kids to camp instead - so there must be some camps out there.

I know that Calleva starts June 9

We did a lot of playdates based on the generosity of the SAHMs. The older ES grades all seemed to have routines by which there was a parent-organized activity that almost every kid attended. It was just a matter of ensuring a car pool spot and providing a little spending money.

I am saving my personal days for this next year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots do. Sidwell's camps start next week.

What do you normally do for childcare?

Sidwell starst June 23

http://www.sidwellsummer.org/day-camps/dc-campus/explorer-day-camp/

Typically, MoCo will only be a week behind most private schools which end the first week of June.

VA starts after Labor Day so they usually end a week after MoCo.

You will be pretty hard pressed to find a camp that starts when private lets out. Most programs wait for the publics to be done because they want a large range of campers. They also need counselors.

You find soem camps that start the 2nd week of June.

Do some more research.

Soccer starts the 9th.
http://www.sidwellsummer.org/sports-camps/dc-campus-sports/soccer/

OP most of these places have aftercare options.

Most schools have a 'gap week' then camp starts. There are typically gap week camps offered internally at each school.

Anonymous wrote:Lots do. Sidwell's camps start next week.

What do you normally do for childcare?

Sidwell starst June 23

http://www.sidwellsummer.org/day-camps/dc-campus/explorer-day-camp/

Typically, MoCo will only be a week behind most private schools which end the first week of June.

VA starts after Labor Day so they usually end a week after MoCo.

You will be pretty hard pressed to find a camp that starts when private lets out. Most programs wait for the publics to be done because they want a large range of campers. They also need counselors.

You find soem camps that start the 2nd week of June.

If any of the half days or days off correspond with that of public schools, you might be able to get your child into an aftercare program that offers care during those times. In our case, none of the days overlap, so we're on our own. We split the days off - whoever has the most time or the lightest schedule gets the kid. If the day off is not for a professional day, sometimes the teachers will babysit, but it's a hefty hourly rate. They will also babysit for times when there is no camp and no school. Again, it is for a pretty hefty fee, but at least it's coverage.

Right now she is in public school, and they have after-school care for half-days.

Lots do. Sidwell's camps start next week.

What do you normally do for childcare?

I have a child who will start a private school in DC in August. I am already a little bit concerned about the number of half-days they put in their calendar. What people usually do in such situations? Our school doesn't offer any after care during these days. Also, are there any camps in DC which start their summer programs earlier than MD and VA public schools are off for summer?