Child Care & Enrichment Program FAQ

Is registration first come, first served?

Yes — initial registration for the school year is first come, first served. Once the program is full, new families are placed on the waitlist and may be invited to join if another family leaves.

After the school year begins, families who registered for September are guaranteed their spot for the rest of the year, as long as they remain current and register by the monthly deadline. Spots do not reopen to the general community after September; they are only offered to waitlisted families on a one-in, one-out basis.

Once my child(ren) are registered, can I count on having a spot for the rest of the school year?

Yes — once your child is enrolled to begin the year, their spot is guaranteed for the remainder of the school year, as long as you keep up with monthly registration.

Here’s how it works:

• You’ll have about three weeks each month to complete registration for the following month.
• The monthly registration deadline is the 15th.
• This is not a competitive process — your spot is already reserved — but you must confirm it each month to keep it active.

After September, spots do not reopen to the general community. Only currently enrolled families can continue registering. If a family leaves, that single opening is offered to the next family on the waitlist on a one-in, one-out basis.

The program I want to enroll my child in is full. What should I do?

First, we recommend adding all of your children to the waitlist for your preferred program. As spots become available, families on the waitlist will be invited to register in the order they joined.

We also encourage you to register for the after-school program at our Stoneham Club to ensure you have guaranteed care in the meantime. We operate a daily bus route from Stoneham Public Schools to the Stoneham Club, so your child can still enjoy the same high-quality program — just at a different site.

If you are offered a spot at your preferred school site, we will transfer your Stoneham Club credit toward that registration. This ensures that whether or not you get into your first-choice site, your child will always have a safe, engaging place to be after school.

What happens if I miss the monthly registration deadline?

The monthly registration deadline is the 15th. If you miss it, you can still register by the 23rd, but a $25 late fee will apply. This process helps ensure our staff have enough time to prepare for the upcoming month, meet compliance requirements, and plan enrichment activities effectively.

If we don’t receive your registration by the 23rd, your spot may be offered to another family.

We’ll be communicating with you regularly before both dates so you have plenty of notice.

I understand your rates are already below private child care — is there any additional support for families in need?

We work hard to keep care affordable, with rates far below the cost of private child care thanks to our generous supporters — making our programs accessible to as many families as possible. We also accept state CCR vouchers and offer limited financial assistance for families enrolled in our licensed Child Care & Enrichment programs in Stoneham.

If cost is a barrier for your family, start here: Apply for financial assistance.

Priority is given to families who qualify for a state CCR voucher but do not yet have one, as well as families who are near the eligibility threshold. All information you provide is kept confidential and used only to determine eligibility. Completing an application does not guarantee assistance.

Funding is limited and may be fully allocated later in the year, so we encourage families to apply as early as possible.

I don’t need 5 days a week. Can I opt for fewer?

Yes. While many families rely on us for full-week care, we also offer flexible options through our structured 2-day (Tu/Th) and 3-day (M/W/F) tracks. These were designed specifically to provide flexibility while also ensuring consistency — both for your child and for our program operations.

By enrolling in a consistent weekly schedule, you help us:

• Maintain steady classroom rosters, which supports relationship-building and social development
• Ensure reliable staffing (our team members are full-time professionals who plan ahead)
• Deliver better programming by grouping children more effectively for enrichment activities

In past years, allowing families to select custom days led to fluctuating rosters that made it difficult to staff properly and serve families equitably. Many of the families we serve have no other option but to rely on us for care five days a week. Offering structured tracks allows us to make space for as many of these families as possible, while still offering flexibility for others.

Do I need to fill out new forms every month?

No. Once your child is enrolled and your forms are on file, you won’t need to complete them again each month.

All required forms only need to be submitted once per school year, and they remain valid through the end of the academic year unless your information changes.

You will still register each month to confirm your child’s attendance for the upcoming month, but this process is quick and easy. Your account will already be set up, your forms will be saved, and we’ll send reminder emails before the deadline.

This monthly step helps us keep headcounts accurate for staffing, safety, and billing—without creating extra paperwork for families.

How does pricing work if the number of program days changes each month?

We keep things simple and transparent: you’re only charged for the number of regular school days your child is scheduled to attend, based on the track you select (M/W/F or Tu/Th). The daily rate stays the same all year, and your monthly fee is simply that daily rate multiplied by the number of program days that month.

This means:

• Months with less regular school days (like November or December) will cost less
• Months with more regular school days (like October or May) will cost more
• You are not charged for planned “no school” days like federal holidays listed on the school calendar

In past years, families were charged for certain non-school days, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, those planned closures will not be billed.

Our before and after school programs only run on regular school days, so your monthly fee will always reflect the true number of days we're open.

You’ll always see the exact cost before confirming your registration for the month — no surprises or hidden fees.

Can I register multiple kids for the same program, or register the same child for multiple programs, at the same time?

Yes — RecDesk allows you to register multiple household members for the same program at once, or register one child for more than one program (for example, both the Tu/Th track and the M/W/F track) in the same checkout process.

Here’s how:

1. Go to the Program List page and click the “+” button next to each program you want to register for.
2. When finished selecting programs, click Add to Cart at the bottom of the page.
3. For each household member shown, either:
   • Click Select All to register them for every program in your cart, or
   • Manually check just the programs they will be attending.
4. Click Continue to Cart at the bottom of the list.
5. One registrant at a time, choose any listed timeslots, select the fee type, answer any questions, and click Save.
6. Click Continue until all registrations are processed.
7. When complete, your selected programs will appear in your Shopping Cart. From there, you can either continue shopping or proceed to checkout.

This process works whether you’re enrolling multiple children in the same program or adding one child to multiple programs in the same month.

Why not make registration for the whole year instead of monthly?

We register month-to-month so our rosters stay accurate, our staffing matches attendance, and (unlike previous years) families are no longer charged for days when school is closed. School schedules vary from month to month with planned closures, so this system ensures you’re not billed for days when the program isn’t running.

This approach:

• Prevents charges for planned “no school” days like federal holidays on the school calendar
• Makes it easy to adjust your child’s schedule if your needs change mid-year
• Guarantees your spot as long as you register by the monthly deadline

It also helps us:

• Maintain safe student-to-staff ratios
• Plan enrichment activities based on confirmed headcounts
• Deliver a smooth, organized program for every child

Once enrolled, monthly registration is quick and easy — your forms and account stay on file all year, so confirming your spot takes just a few clicks.

Why did you move away from letting families pick individual days?

In the past, families could choose any combination of individual days. While flexible, that system made it difficult to match openings with family needs, keep ratios consistent, and plan effectively. Starting this year, our licensed Child Care & Enrichment programs follow two fixed weekly tracks: Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday. Families can choose either track or both for 5-day care.

This change helps us:

• Improve access for families who need more days — Fixed tracks make it easier to match openings with demand, especially for those seeking full-week care.
• Give kids a more consistent experience — Regular attendance helps children build friendships, adjust to routines, and get the most out of group activities.
• Support high-quality staffing — Predictable rosters let us create fair, stable schedules for our full-time youth development professionals.
• Plan activities more effectively — Set groups allow us to tailor enrichment, group children thoughtfully, and keep days running smoothly.
• Ensure safety and compliance — Consistent schedules make it easier to maintain EEC-required child-to-staff ratios every day.

Our goal was to strike a balance between flexibility and structure. The two-track system still gives families a choice while ensuring the program is safe, fair, and enriching for every child.

Why are there only two enrollment tracks — M/W/F and Tu/Th?

We use a two-track system to keep schedules consistent for children and staff. Consistent attendance helps kids build friendships, adjust to routines, and get the most from activities. It also allows us to plan staffing, enrichment, and groupings in advance, ensuring safety and quality for every child.

Offering Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Tuesday/Thursday strikes the right balance between flexibility for families and the structure needed to run a high-quality program. Families who need 5-day care can simply enroll in both tracks.

Can I enroll my child for just one day a week?

We don’t offer single-day enrollment because it creates gaps in our schedule that are difficult to fill, limits access for families needing more consistent care, and makes it harder to plan staffing and activities. This structure also helps us maintain required child-to-staff ratios, ensure our team is prepared for every child in attendance, and keep transitions and activities running smoothly.

If you need 5-day coverage, you can enroll in both tracks. If you only need part-time care, you can choose the track that best fits your schedule.

I need care all week — is that an option?

Yes. To receive 5 days of aftercare at the same location, enroll in both tracks: Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Tuesday/Thursday.

A few notes:

• Track availability can differ by site. If one track is full, you may be able to start with the other and join the waitlist for the second.
• Your spot is held for the year once you’re in. Just complete the quick monthly registration by the 15th (late fee after the 15th; spots may be offered to another family after the 23rd).
• Pickup time (4:00 PM or 6:00 PM) is selected during registration and applies to your child’s scheduled days for that month.

What makes this program different from other after-school care options?

Our licensed Child Care & Enrichment programs go beyond basic supervision. Every afternoon is designed to give your child a safe, structured, and enriching experience — led by full-time youth development professionals who know your child and care about their growth.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Full-year enrollment security — Once enrolled, your child’s spot is held all school year, with quick monthly confirmation to keep records accurate.
• Lower ratios for more attention — We keep an average ratio below the EEC maximum of 13:1, so every child gets more individualized attention, stronger relationships, and better supervision.
• Daily enrichment activities — From STEM and art to recreation and leadership, our programs help kids explore new skills, build confidence, and connect with peers.
• Consistent, trained staff — Led by experienced, full-time professionals who provide stability and quality, not short-term gig workers.
• Safe, licensed, and structured environment — We meet or exceed all Massachusetts EEC licensing standards for safety, staff training, and program quality.

What enrichment activities do you offer?

Every day in our Child Care & Enrichment programs is designed to give kids opportunities to learn, move, create, and connect. Our full-time enrichment leaders bring expertise and passion to a wide range of activities, so there’s always something new to explore.

Some examples of what kids may experience throughout the year include:

• STEM — Hands-on projects that encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and discovery
• Arts — Drawing, painting, crafts, and creative projects that inspire self-expression
• Recreation — Indoor and outdoor games, sports skills, and active play to promote teamwork and coordination
• Music & Performance — Opportunities to explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression
• Leadership & Life Skills — Group activities that build confidence, collaboration, and community awareness

Our enrichment schedule changes regularly so children can try new things, build skills, and develop friendships in a safe, supportive environment.

How do you ensure safety and staff quality?

Our programs are fully licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care (EEC), which means we follow strict standards for safety, supervision, and program quality. We take these requirements seriously and often exceed them.

• Low ratios: We keep our average child-to-staff ratio below the EEC maximum of 13:1, ensuring more individual attention and better supervision.
• Qualified team: Our staff includes full-time youth development professionals with training in child development, behavior guidance, and enrichment instruction.
• Ongoing training: All staff complete background checks and required safety certifications, including CPR and First Aid, and participate in regular professional development.
• Consistent staffing: Predictable schedules help us retain great staff and provide a stable, supportive environment for kids.
• Clear safety protocols: We maintain detailed emergency procedures, secure check-in/check-out processes, and strong communication with families.

We believe a safe, well-run program starts with great people — and we invest in our team so they can deliver the best care and experiences for every child, every day.

What’s the student-to-staff ratio?

As a licensed program under the Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care (EEC), we are required to maintain a maximum child-to-staff ratio of 13:1. This means one staff member for every 13 children.

We don’t just meet this standard — we aim to exceed it every day. By keeping our average ratio lower than the maximum, we’re able to provide:

• More individual attention and support for each child
• Better supervision for safety and well-being
• Stronger relationships between children and staff
• More effective small-group activities and enrichment

Our goal is to create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and part of the group — and lower ratios help make that possible.

How do early release days work?

Early release days are optional and can be added when you complete your monthly registration. The cost is $18 per early release day.

On these days, school dismisses at noon instead of 2:40 PM. Our program begins right at dismissal and runs until the regular pick-up time.

Bussing remains available for Stoneham Club participants. If your child attends one of our school-based sites, they will remain at the program as usual and do not require transportation.

We make the most of the extra time with special activities, which may include:

• Extra enrichment projects
• Group games and recreational activities
• Additional snack or break periods

Early release days are listed on your school’s calendar, and you’ll have the option to add them when you register for the month.

I’m unable to add my payment method. What should I do?

Here’s the best way to try adding your credit card to RecDesk again:

1. Go to your profile page.
2. Look for Manage Payment Options (on the left-hand side of the screen, or at the top if you’re on a smaller device).
3. Click Add Payment Option, fill out the form, and click Submit.

The most common issues we’ve seen are:

• Incorrect card information entered
• Insufficient funds
• Use of prepaid debit cards (RecDesk does not allow prepaid cards)

All major credit card brands are accepted during checkout. For security and compliance reasons, we avoid taking payment details over the phone unless absolutely necessary.

How do I register with a voucher?

Good news: We’ve reserved spots for families using a voucher — your child’s place is secure.

Start here: Complete our quick Voucher Enrollment Intake Form. Our team will call you to finish your registration and collect any required documents.

Voucher registration isn’t available publicly because each voucher has different parent fees, so plans are set up on a custom basis.