As the school year is just days away, ABC Action News is taking action for families with young students, helping them find affordable before and after school programs.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
In Hillsborough County there is a program called “HOST” aka Hillsborough Out of School Time which offers before and after school care. The program costs $53 a week at traditional elementary schools and $27 a week at traditional middle schools.
Parents can sign up for HOST at each school.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Pinellas County Schools deferred ABC Action News to “R’Club” for before-school and after-school programs. During the school year, these programs are in place at 28 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 2 Exceptional Student Education Centers.
The programs typically run a couple of hours before school begins and approximately three hours after school. There is a $65 weekly fee to be enrolled in the program full-time. This means before and after school daily as well as when school is closed for teacher planning, professional development, spring break, Thanksgiving break, and Christmas break.
For more information on elementary school programsclick here
For more information on middle school programs click here.
POLK COUNTY
Polk County Public Schools and local child care providers team up for Campus KidCare. The program is available at elementary schools listed here. The cost will not exceed $60 for after school care or $65 for before and after school care. There is a sliding scale fee available for students eligible for free or reduced lunch.
For more information on KidCare click here.
PASCO COUNTY
Gulf, Hudson, and Stewart middle schools still have space available in their free after-school programs. The programs are offered everyday including most school holidays and throughout the summer. The timing is immediately following school dismissal until 6 p.m.
In order to sign-up, call the school directly.
MANATEE COUNTY
Manatee county schools offer an "Extended Day Enrichment Program" (EDEP). This is a before & after school child care program for elementary school age children. The program is $55 a week for before/after school care, $25 a week for just before school care, and $45 a week for just after school care. For more information and to register, click here.
Also in Manatee County, after school programs are available at Palm View Elementary School and Daughtrey Elementary School. The program runs from 3:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, most of the school year. Each program is only open to students at that specific school. Parents will receive sign-up information during the first few days of school.
YMCA
The YMCA offers after school programs for thousands of kids which include academic enrichment and homework help, physical outdoor activity, hands-on engaging activities, healthy snacks, and arts and crafts. Some programs are even available directly at the schools.
For more information and to sign-up for YMCA programs click here.
