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 Under Secretary for Management > Bureau of Human Resources > Family Liaison Office (FLO) > Education and Youth > Education and Youth Publications and Resources / Site Map > Education Options for Foreign Service Family Members > Chapter 7 - Child Care Before and After School

Chapter 7 - Child Care Before and After School

In the Foreign Service, as in American society in general, child care is an increasing concern. For those families with single parents or two parents working outside the home, it is important to give serious thought to the arrangements for children before and after school.

The information in this chapter will be helpful to families assigned to Washington as they look at their options and decide what will work best for them. Because the options overseas will differ drastically from one post to the next, it is important to research posts individually. The Composite Child Care Report, published annually by the Family Liaison Office, contains post-specific information that may be helpful, especially at the bidding stage. Once an assignment has been accepted, families should contact the CLO at post for the most current information.

EXTENDED DAY CARE PROGRAMS IN THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA

Many school districts provide care for school-aged children before and after the regular school day. The care may be provided in public schools, centers, or private homes. Fees charged for this service are on a sliding scale based on family income. Before-school programs are typically open from 7:15 a.m. to the opening of school. After-school programs are open from the closing of school to 6:00 p.m. Some schools have optional after-school programs for kindergartners. In some school districts, the school-aged child care program is heavily subscribed, and there are waiting lists during both the academic year and the summer. Parents must learn the registration dates for each semester and apply early. Not all school-aged child care programs are open during school vacations, and parents must make alternate arrangements for these times.

Before and After-school programs in public school districts fill up quickly.  To accommodate working parents, public schools have established "extended day" programs whereby children can remain at school, with supervision and a variety of after-school activities, until parents arrive for pick-up at 6 pm.  To register, you must first have a local address.  Registration is also before school starts.  Find out the deadline. 

Recreation departments in each area offer after-school recreation and sports programs, often in conjunction with school programs. Each recreation department publishes a newsletter listing its activities. See Chapter 9 for the addresses and telephone numbers of the recreation departments if you are interested in more information or want to request a newsletter.

In addition, other groups in the Washington area offer after-school, weekend, and vacation activities for children ages 9-14. The YMCA, YWCA, and Boys and Girls Clubs offer a variety of sports and arts and crafts programs which may be on a walk-in or scheduled basis. The regional offices of the Boy Scouts of America, the Girls Scouts, and the Camp Fire Boys and Girls can provide information about local activities including crafts, trips, vocational awareness, and service projects. Other possibilities include environmental education programs offered by the Audubon Naturalist Society and volunteer programs for young people sponsored by the American Red Cross and the National Zoo.

Resources

American Red Cross
Information: 202-737-8300

Audubon Naturalist Society
8940 Jones Mill Road
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Tel: 301-652-9188
Web site: http://www.audubonnaturalist.org/

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington
Web site: http://www.bgcgw.org/

Boy Scouts of America, National Capitol Area Council
Wisconsin Avenue and Cedar Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel: 301-530-9360
Web site: http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/

Camp Fire USA-Patuxent Area Council
PO Box 763
Bowie MD 20718
Offices Located at 1110 Bonifant St, Silver Spring MD.
Phone 301-565-4360
Email: http://www.campfireusa-patuxent.org/contact.html
Web site: http://www.campfireusa-patuxent.org/

Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capitol
2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20007
Tel: 202-337-4300
Web site: http://www.gscnc.org/

National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202-357-1300
Web site: http://natzoo.si.edu/

YMCA Headquarters
1625 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-232-6700
Web site: http://www.ymca.net/

YWCA Headquarters
624 - 9th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202-626-0700
Web site: http://www.ywca.org/

Publications that offer resource listings for families
Washington Families - http://www.washingtonfamilies.com/
Washington Parent - http://www.washingtonparent.com/

LATCHKEY CHILDREN

The decision to allow children to stay home alone after school or to stay alone during the day is a difficult one. The Fairfax County Department of Social Services suggests 10 years as the minimum age for leaving children alone for limited hours. However, children differ greatly in their ability to care for themselves and each family situation is unique.

As a result of their experience, many latchkey children become more responsible and independent and less susceptible to peer pressure. They have an opportunity to devote themselves to a favorite interest or hobby. They can be of great assistance to their parents, caring for younger children, doing chores, and preparing dinner. However, if the child is nervous or insecure, or if the home situation is not completely safe, parents should look for an alternative solution.

Have a Safety Plan

Parents need to establish a structure and safety rules for their children's after-school hours:

  • Work out an arrangement with a trusted neighbor who is at home during the day to whom the child can turn in an emergency.
  • Put all emergency telephone numbers, including the parent's work number and the trusted neighbor's number, in a prominent place near the telephone.
  • Make sure the child calls a parent to check in at a specified time. The work number should be memorized and written on a piece of paper carried by the child.
  • Teach the child to answer the telephone without giving away that s/he is alone and not to open the door to a stranger.
  • Teach the child how to turn the thermostat up and down.
  • Make sure that all locks are working properly and that the child knows how to check and secure windows and doors.
  • Explain that if any person does something that makes the child feel uncomfortable, s/he should tell you about it right away - even if it was supposed to be a secret.
  • Talk with your child often about the child's worries when s/he is alone.
  • Work out the child's responsibilities. Establish clear rules about internet access, pets, TV, visits from friends, homework, and chores.
  • Prepare the child for emergencies: how to call the police or the fire department, what to do if ill or injured, if the toilet overflows, if the lights go out, if there is bad weather after school, if they miss the school bus, or if a fire starts.

Parents can make their child feel more secure by calling regularly, by leaving notes to greet the child and remind him/her of things that must be done, by providing materials needed to complete homework and for arts and craft activities, and by making sure the child has books, puzzles, hobby materials, and games for entertainment.

Information provided by the Family Liaison Office
Contact the Family Liaison Office

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