Posted by p parent, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Mar 22, 2011 at 4:38 pm

All after school care programs will be different. Even those run by PACCC between schools. It depends what you want to get out of them.

The big advantage that PACCC has is that they are run in their schools. Kids can easily fit into the program and transition in the afternoon; continuing to play with friends after school helps with the general social development. The kids all appear to really enjoy it and it can be hard to get the kids to leave at the end of the day.

On the other hand, PACCC doesn't offer much beyond "playdate" level for the kids.

If all you're after is to have your child in a safe environment and looked after while given the opportunity to play with other kids then they are fine. If you want some other enrichment, you would probably need to look elsewhere.

Posted by mmmmMom, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Mar 22, 2011 at 8:55 pm

I agree with "p parent"'s statements above. For a more complete account, however, I feel it important to add a few comments. I had 2 kids in PACCC for almost the entire school year. The close proximity, as mentioned, was a bonus, & the kids certainly all know each other.

Beyond that, however, it is a huge disappointment, & most definitely NOT worth what they charge - especially if you have more than 1 child needing aftercare. The quality of the "childcare providers" (I use that term loosely) is quite spotty, & forget competent help with any homework. Additionally, whatever you assume your child will be exposed to germ wise in the classroom is exponentially increased while @ PACCC.

I also witnessed quite a few incidents of sub-standard reporting of falls, fights, etc; the worst being a bad head injury that happened to 1 of my kids' friends. On a hunch I called his Mom later that evening, & sure enough, no one had told her about his head injury! They put ice on it, & that was it. During our phone call the Mom examined her child, & found a bump the size of a goose egg.

Towards the end of their first school year in PACCC, I realized I could hire an in-home Nanny for they charge for 2 kids. And the difference in my kids was both immediate & dramatic. Fewer colds, bruises, bad snacks, boredom, etc; etc. They were calm & happy when I returned home. They could practice their instruments, & be in the security & comfort of their own home. Priceless! Not long afterwards, another Mom joined in, & the Nanny became even more affordable. We all were sorry we had not thought of that solution earlier!

Bottom line, I can not recommend PACC, & suggest you put your money towards in-home care. Your kids are only young once, & they deserve better!