It’s an exciting time once your child gets to kindergarten.
But it can also be a bit of a hassle, too. Since the Concord School District is on a half-day kindergarten plan, the youngest learners in the district get out for the day at 10:30 a.m. And for parents or caregivers with full-time jobs, it’s not ideal – or even possible – to pick up your child and bring them to a childcare provider.
So what do you do?
Well, Girls Inc. is offering a new program that might just help you out.
Since there is a need for after-kindergarten child care, Girls Inc. will not only watch your child through the end of the typical school day, but also have extended hours and will even pick up students at elementary schools around Concord.
Typically, Girls Inc. is just how it sounds: for girls. That’s how its summer camp and after school program is set up, but the kindergarten program will take both boys and girls until 3 p.m. That’s when the after school group comes in and will turn back into all girls. So the kindergarten girls can stay until Girls Inc. closes at 6, as that is the starting age for after-school care, but the boys will need to be picked up at 3.
“The kindergarten girls will run right into the after-school program,” said Concord Director Karen Billings. “At 3, we have to go back to all girls because of the after-school program.”
This is a pilot program for Girls Inc. because of so many children needing care in the middle of the day.
“We had been talking to the Concord School District and we heard there was a need for after morning kindergarten,” Billings said.
Families have inquired about the possibility of after kindergarten care in the past, but it wasn’t an option.
Mill Brook School will drop students off at Girls Inc. because its location (the former Eastman School) is in the transportation area. The rest of the students will be picked up on the Girls Inc. bus.
“We’re trying to fill a need,” Billings said.
There’s enough space for 30 students and as of late last week, there were plenty of spots still available. The program begins on the first day of school (that’s next Tuesday) and will even be open during teacher workshop days.
The plan is to have a curriculum that will expand upon what the kids learn at school, feed them lunch and have plenty of outside time. You’ve got to have fun in there too.
“The kids are what make it fun for us,” Billings said.
Enrollment will be ongoing so if any of you parents out realize you need to adjust how your child is cared for after kindergarten, you can sign up – if there’s spots available.
Cost for the after-kindergarten program is $70 per week, but tuition is based on a sliding scale and scholarships are available.
“We try to make the cost not an obstacle,” Billings said. “We want it to work for every family that walks through the door.”
For more info, visit facebook.com/concordgirlsinc.
