How to find on-site after-school care options at your PPS school.
Summer is winding down and the smell of fresh notebooks is in the air. If you need to find after-school care for the upcoming year and would prefer the ease of after-care at your child’s school, let us run down some of the options that might be available to your family.
There’s a lot to know, considering Portland Public Schools (PPS) works with 12 different child care providers across 49 schools. Tanesha Dawson-Hamilton, Childcare Program Manager for PPS, says, “Our partners are phenomenal, and they are working really hard to prioritize families and keep costs as affordable as possible.”
Aside from utilizing the PPS website, Dawson-Hamilton encourages families to stay in the know by connecting directly with their schools. “One of the best things you can do is connect with the front office staff and the PTA,” she says. “They are incredible resources.”
On-Site After-School Care at Portland Public Schools
Here’s an overview of the on-site after-school care providers at Portland Public Schools, including the schools they serve and approximate costs.
Ainsworth Childcare Association
School served: Ainsworth Elementary
Cost: $410-$530 per month for two to five days per week
A nonprofit program for Ainsworth Elementary students, Ainsworth Childcare Association offers a variety of enrichment choices within a structured environment.
Art4Life
Schools served: Richmond and Abernethy elementary schools
Cost: $222-$614 per month for one to five days per week
Art4Life focuses on creating and learning about art in its many forms, both local and international. The program is also open to students from other schools if transportation is provided.
Champions
Schools served: Astor, Atkinson, Bridger, Bridlemile, Buckman, Capitol Hill, Creston, Kelly, Lee, Lent, Maplewood, Rieke and Woodstock
Cost: Approximately $75-$115 per week for one to five days, depending on the school
Part of the KinderCare family of brands, Champions provides homework help along with activities including art, sports and STEM.
Duniway All Stars
School served: Duniway Elementary
Cost: $155-$435 per month for one to five days per week
This nonprofit program supports students through art, sports and structured free play.
Friendly House
School served: Chapman Elementary
Cost: Sliding scale of $166-$656 per month for one to five days per week
Located two blocks from Chapman Elementary, Friendly House is a nonprofit child care program focusing on science, art, neighborhood field trips and weekly rotating clubs.
Irvington Extended Day
School served: Irvington
Cost: $313-$564 per month for three to five days per week
This nonprofit preschool also offers after-school care for Irvington students, with an emphasis on play-based activities.
Kids Community Learning Center
Schools served: Metropolitan Learning Center (MLC), Chapman and Ainsworth
Cost: $230-$610 per month for one to five days per week
Located at MLC, this nonprofit offers creative projects, leadership opportunities, a mix of structured and free-choice activities, rotating clubs and music lessons.
Markham Children’s Care Association
School served: Markham Elementary
Cost: $316-$486 per month for two to five days per week
Markham Children’s Care Association, or MCCA, is a nonprofit program focused on enriching students’ school-day experience.
Neighborhood House
Schools served: Boise-Eliot, Chief Joseph, King and Sabin
Schedule: Two to five days per week
Cost: To be announced
Neighborhood House offers project-based lessons along with arts, sports and leadership activities.
Portland Jewish Academy
Schools served: Forest Park, Glencoe and Odyssey
Cost: $246-$687 per month for one to five days per week
This inclusive program combines student-choice and teacher-led activities, with monthly themes and opportunities for community service.
Stephenson Childcare Association
School served: Stephenson
Cost: $98-$490 per month for one to five days per week
Stephenson Childcare Association offers rotating daily activities including art, sports and STEM.
YMCA
Schools served: Alameda, Arleta, Beach, Beverly Cleary Schools, Faubion, Grout, Hayhurst, Laurelhurst, Lewis, Llewellyn, Marysville, Peninsula, Rigler, Rose City Park, Scott, Sunnyside, Vernon, Vestal and Woodlawn
Cost: Approximately $195-$525 per month for two to five days per week, depending on the school
YMCA after-school programs focus on academic and social development through a wide variety of activities. Programming incorporates the Y’s five core values of love, respect, honesty, responsibility and service.
SUN After-School Programs at Portland Public Schools
Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) is a collaboration between schools and community partners. These extended-day and enrichment networks are created through partnerships with organizations including Portland Parks & Recreation, Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), Latino Network, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) and Impact NW.
SUN programs provide academic support and family engagement, and can also connect students and families with basic-needs resources such as food and rental assistance.
While SUN programs are not licensed day care providers, they offer after-school programming at 94 SUN Community Schools, and most sites do not charge fees.
Each SUN site is different, so families should check their local program for availability and offerings.
Find your local SUN Community School or SUN pantry site through PPS.
Other After-School Enrichment Programs at PPS Schools
Every school is a little bit different when it comes to their after-school programming, so head to the school website or ask your front office staff!
The PPS Racial Equity and Social Justice department partners with organizations offering programs for no cost or a small annual fee.
For example, Chess for Success meets at 16 elementary and secondary schools. Boys & Girls Clubs has three clubs, including one that partners with the Portland Trail Blazers, and Girl Scouts works with two elementary schools.
At the secondary-school level, students can participate in programs such as the Portland Urban Debate League and The Blueprint Foundation, which focuses on environmental conservation.
This is the time to connect with your school and find out about on-site enrichment activities your kids didn’t even know they needed! Program availability, costs and dates will vary by school, but there is truly something for everyone. Enrichment opportunities may include programs such as Adventures in Spanish, Fine Art Starts and The Ukulele Project.
Availability, dates and costs vary by school, so connecting directly with your school is the best way to find out what’s offered during the upcoming school year.
What to Do If Your Child Is Waitlisted for After-School Care
While spots can fill up quickly, don’t panic just yet! If you happen to end up on a waitlist, Dawson-Hamilton advises you to stay there and potentially add yourself to several waitlists. The most important thing is to communicate directly with the providers. “Our partners will be transparent with you about how quickly the list moves and whether or not spots are likely to open up,” she says.
Families can also call 211info by dialing 211 for customized child care referrals and help determining whether they qualify for Employment Related Day Care (ERDC).
Dawson-Hamilton also recommends checking Portland Parks & Recreation and the district’s Racial Equity & Social Justice resources for additional programs and partnerships with local schools.
Program availability, prices and schedules can change. Contact individual providers and schools for the most current information.
If on-site care isn’t the right fit, you can also browse PDX Parent’s After-School Guide for more Portland-area programs and enrichment options.