All tools · After-School & Summer Finder FL

What questions should I ask before enrolling my child in after-school care?

Use the free tool — After-School & Summer Finder FL

Before you enroll, ask these questions first

You found a program — maybe a 21st Century Community Learning Center, a Boys & Girls Club, a YMCA, a county Parks & Recreation camp, or the school's own extended-day program. Before you sign anything, ask a few questions. This is not child-care, legal or financial advice — it's a starting list. Confirm every answer directly with the program.

Is it licensed, and who works with the kids?

Florida DCF licenses child-care facilities, but some school-age programs are license-exempt. Ask which one this is. Ask whether staff go through background screening, and what the child-to-staff ratio is. Ask what happens if you're running late to pick up your child.

Does it follow the school calendar — and what does it cost?

Ask whether the program runs on school days only, or also on early-release days, teacher workdays and summer. Ask about the cost structure — an annual membership, a weekly fee, a sliding scale, or a co-pay under School Readiness. Then ask for the reduced-fee or scholarship rate. Most of these programs have one and don't advertise it:

• 21st Century Community Learning Centers are federally funded and free at qualifying schools — FDOE — 21st CCLC.
• Boys & Girls Clubs charge a low annual membership — find a club.
• YMCA programs offer financial assistance based on income — ask when you call. find your Y.
• School-district extended-day programs often have a reduced rate for families whose children qualify for free or reduced-price meals — ask the school.
• County and city Parks & Recreation camps may have resident rates and scholarships — ask.

Could a subsidy or tax credit help pay for it?

School Readiness helps working families pay for before/after-school and summer care for children under 13, with a co-pay, at approved providers — Florida Division of Early Learning — School Readiness. You apply through your county's Early Learning Coalition — find yours here: Early Learning Coalitions of Florida. There may be a wait list. Separately, if you work, ask your employer about a Dependent Care FSA, and ask a tax professional about the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit. This is not tax advice — confirm with the IRS or a professional.

How will my child get there, and what about meals?

21st CCLC and district programs are usually held at the school, so no transportation is needed. Some Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs run buses from specific schools — ask which ones. Ask your district's transportation office whether the school bus can drop your child at the program site as an alternate stop. In the summer, ask whether the program is a free meal site — Florida Summer BreakSpot.

If your child has a disability

Ask how the program supports a child with ADHD or a disability, and whether inclusion support is available. Ask about the ADRC or CARD centers if you need help finding the right fit.

What to do next

Say your child's age, county, work hours and budget in the free tool. It reads your own numbers — nothing is stored — and shows the program types that fit, how to ask for the reduced fee, whether School Readiness applies, and the questions above, in English or Spanish.

After-School & Summer Finder FL lists types of after-school and summer programs and subsidies in Florida from official sources; it can be wrong, and it is not child-care, legal or financial advice. Verify every program directly. Nothing you type is stored.