All before and afterschool programs are licensed at a level that exceeds the minimum NC Division of Child Development Early Education Regulations.  Our programs serve students that attend the 32 elementary schools.  The programs provide a balance of structured and free-choice activities designed to stimulate the students' social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

Afterschool Offers...

• trained staff and a safe, stimulating environment

• theme-related activities in arts, crafts, music, dramatic play, science, language arts, cooking, and more

• Organized indoor and outdoor games and physical activities

• homework and quiet time

• virtual guest presenters and performers, including storytellers, musicians, drama and dance groups

• "club" activities that foster individual interests of students 

• time for social interaction with a diverse group of peers

• Community service-learning projects

• healthy afternoon snack prepared by DPS Child Nutrition Services

• regular programming on early dismissal days at no extra cost to parents

Before school programs open at 6:30am and operate until the first bell rings.

Before school programs will only operate at Hillandale, Merrick Moore, and Southwest. Before school programs will only operate at sites with 10 or more students enrolled.

Elementary afterschool programs operate on school days from the time school is dismissed until 6:00pm. There is a late pick-up fee for children after 6:00pm. On early release days, programs will open and operate two hours earlier. Please refer to the DPS student calendar for the dates.

Students attend the Before & Afterschool program at the school where they are enrolled. The programs operate in each school's gym or multipurpose building and use other areas, including the media center, art room and classrooms. Students attending an elementary school that does not have a program can enroll and attend a nearby program where the students are transported by school bus.

Things to know about the before- and after-school programs:

• Before-school programs open at 6:30am and operate until the first bell rings.

• After-school programs operate on school days from the time school is dismissed until 6:00pm.

• After-school programs also operate on early release days at no extra cost to parents!

• Monthly payments cover 20 days (no charge for days when school is out).

• Monthly tuition invoices are emailed to the “Parent 1” listed on the application. Invoices are emailed on the 15th of each month or next business day; Late fees are applied after the 1st. Tuition payments are due on the 15th of each month or the following business day.  Accounts that remain unpaid by the 30th of the month will incur a late fee, which will be applied on the first of the following month.

• Fulltime enrollment only, no part-time available.

• Programs only operate on in-person instructional school days. Programs do not operate on Teacher Workdays or Holidays.

• Financial assistance is available through DPS by calling 919-560-9488.

• Program eligible for Department of Social Services childcare vouchers by calling 919-560-8300.