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They’re in school! They’re growing up, but they still need you and need your help in making decisions on their behalf. One of those decisions concerns caring for them when they are not in school. Out of school time care is available in child care homes, child care centers, and even at the school itself. Some programs are even run by out side organizations such as the YMCA. What to choose? Begin by assessing your needs, and your child’s needs.
In finding out-of-school time care for your child you must look at the basics of your needs.
When do I need the care?
Do I need it in the mornings before school starts? Before school care on site may not begin until 7:30 or 8am. Will that fit in the family schedule? or after school? Until what time do I need the care. Care extending past 6pm can be difficult to find.
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Time of Day ... or Season matches the hours of care you will need with what might be available. Be sure to get clarity before choosing a particular child care setting.
- Full time care is considered a full week, at a minimum of five hours a day in most settings. Part time care could be just a few days a week or a few hours a day. School-age care is before and/or after school, and some settings don’t offer both so it’s important to ask.
- Most family child care homes and child care centers offer care between approximately 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, but some options exist beyond those hours; including evenings, overnight, weekends, and special summer camp programs.
- Some settings offer options such as occasional or drop in care, 24-hour care, or temporary or emergency care.
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Where do I need the care to be?
If you don’t have a program at your school, or the program has no space available, you will need care near the school. Perhaps a home care situation on a bus route? Centers in the area that care for school age children typically offer transportation to and from the school.
Is a home provider, child care center, or on-site program best?
You will have to determine the type of social situation wherein your child will thrive. Does your child need “down time” after school, or do they need to release all the energy they have kept inside all day long?
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Location is important for most parents. If you have an infant or young child, you might prefer child care closer to your workplace. Few employers offer onsite child care. If your child is in school, you might prefer child care closer to home or school, or on the school bus route. Some schools offer before and after school care onsite.
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What is care going to cost?
On site programs tend to cost less than care at child care centers where transportation is involved that can raise the cost.
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Financial Considerations will certainly be part of your decision. Care for school-age children, for example, will be less than care for toddlers and infants. Quality child care is expensive and so is the cost of providing quality care. Overhead costs for child care providers include maintaining up-to-date materials and environments, insurance, salaries, and professional development; as well as additional expenditures if they are working toward accreditation or further academic credentials.
You could be eligible for financial assistance, depending on your income, through your local county Department of Job and Family Services. Many child care centers, homes, and school-age programs participate in subsidy programs. Other options to help offset your costs include the possibility for no-cost health insurance through Healthy Start! or taking the child care credit on your taxes.
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Does your school age child have any specific needs?
Does she have any special dietary requirements or allergies?
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Specific Needs of your child will also be part of your decision-making process. These needs could be health-related, such as allergy to pet dander or cigarette smoke, or they could be related to physical, cognitive or emotional needs that require special accommodations. If your child has special needs, it will be beneficial to be up front when interviewing potential child care providers. The provider’s response can often help you decide whether or not to proceed with the next step of setting up an onsite interview.
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Decide what needs must be met in what ways. Then decide those that are negotiable. Make a list. Now that you have sorted out your needs, think about how a situation will meet them.
More . . .
What to Look For |
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