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June 18, 2007

A new choice...affordable after-school care

One of the main justifications, in my stay-home-and-work plan, was the high cost of finding - good - after-school care for my kids. I would need great motivation to do this; something close to home, dependable, engaging, a physical/sports activity component, creative activities -- homework help would be a bonus.

The City of Toronto, without one letter of advice from me, has introduced the ARC (After-School Recreation Care) for children 6-12 years. Wait for it -- inhale -- the cost is about $5 per day. Exhale. No, they are not just being watched by web cams it is in fact real actual (and trained) staff supervising and engaging our children. Locations run across the city and additional sites are opening for September.

They also have Youth Co-operative Programs for kids 13-16...a FREE 12 week leadership/employment readiness course with a 20 hour supervised placement in an ARC program, FREE standard First Aid Certification, Free City of Toronto First Alert Training, and successful graduates receive a $100 honorarium and the opportunity to be interviewed for a summer camp position with the City. Yes, perhaps a glorified leader -in-training programme...but for those of us with teenagers this presents a time of learning, experience and a physical separation from the dreaded ipod.

Single parents, desperate housewives and frustrated families have a great solution in this programme. Yes, I would still ask for references and check out the facilities. Yes, I would learn more about child care centres, Au peres & home care options.

No...I'm not really ready to put my kids in an outside care environment despite this new motivation -- but that's a MOM issue not a choice issue. Having child care choices are important issues for parents.

Click on the link below to find out about ARC:
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/after-school-recreation.htm

Comment question...Would you put your child in care for $5/day in a public programme or pay more for a private caregiver...why?

Labels: Parenting

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