CRESTVIEW — Before- and after-school programs combine play, homework help and structured activities for hundreds of local elementary school students. With weekly fees between $35 and $50 — or monthly fees up to $70, depending on the provider — children have a safe, supervised environment that could include snacks, playtime, tutoring and field trips.
Both non-profit organizations — such as schools, churches and youth groups — and businesses — Kids Learning Corner, Childcare Network, Kids Discovery, and Sunshine Corner Daycare, among others — offer these programs. Presence is particularly growing on school campuses.
HOMEWORK HELP
Monday night, with the Okaloosa County School Board's approval, Walker Elementary became the latest campus to offer its own $105,350 after-school program. Now, in the North Okaloosa County area, just Baker and Laurel Hill schools lack similar programs.
Walker — which contracted with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast until Aug. 1 — worked with Bob Sikes Elementary School daycare supervisor Martha Puckett to create the program, which launches Aug. 17 with the new school year. “The homework help is going to be great," Walker Principal Lorna Carnley said. "In September, we start tutoring those children who need help. If those children need help in different areas, the computer lab (also) will be available."
The Boys and Girls Club program — which starts Aug. 17 at its new location, Allen Park on McClelland Street— will serve about 50 children, according to the nonprofit's chief executive officer, Shervin Rassa. Monthly fees range from $20 to $70.
FIELD TRIPS AND FUN
School child-care programs aren't all work. "Of course, (students) are going to look forward to the fact they get to play in the program, too," Carnley said.
Some North Okaloosa schools' summer programs featured field trips — kids could play Goofy Golf, watch movies, go skating and have pizza parties at Chuck E. Cheese’s — during the experience, which for some lasted between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“It’s fun,” Alyssa Hartness, 7, said. “I like the field trips."
“They give you popsicles, too,” Derek Harrison, 10, said as he built a spaceship of interlocking plastic blocks. “And they have Legos.”
CONVENIENT FOR PARENTS
Dawn Watson, a school teacher, said she appreciates Bob Sikes' child care, where her son, Moshe, 7, enjoys socializing and playing with Legos and Lincoln Logs. “This place is the bomb," she said. “They take the kids on wonderful field trips. They work with the parents.”
Annmarie Macaraeg said Antioch Elementary's program helps her and her son achieve their goals. "I am truly grateful for the after school program at Antioch Elementary," she said. "As a full-time working professional and doctoral student, it is reassuring to know that my son has somewhere safe to go after school."
“My son (Braydon) loves it,” Tonya Green said. “The program is well worth the cost. I took (Thursday) off but he’d rather come here than spend time at home with me.
"That says something about how good the program is.”
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DAYCARE PROGRAMS
Programs are offered at Antioch, Bob Sikes and Riverside Elementary Schools and Northwood Arts and Science Academy.
Hours:
Morning, 6-7:15 or 8:45 a.m.
Afternoon, 2 or 3-6 p.m.
Fees:
Registration fee: $30. Schools offer before-school and after-school programs, or both. Fees: $35-$50 per week, depending on the school. Teacher work days are an all-day program. Holidays: $85 per week, including Christmas break, spring break and summers. Some schools offer a “drop-in” option for students who only attend occasionally. Late pick up fee is $10 per every 5 minutes after 6 p.m. a parent is late.
To register for daycare:
Antioch Elementary: Laura McMillan, 683-7540 ext. 599, laura.mcmillan@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
Bob Sikes Elementary: Martha Puckett, 689-7280, puckettm@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
Northwood Arts and Science Academy: Karen Bradley, 398-3549, bradleyk@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
Riverside Elementary: Claudia Kilpatrick, 689-7203 ext. 1139, KilpatrickC@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
Walker Elementary: coordinator TBA, 689-7220
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview elementary school daycare programs fuse academics and fun (VIDEO)