🏫 Program Overview
Our before and after school program provides a safe, nurturing environment for kindergarteners and early elementary students before and after school. We bridge the gap between home and school with engaging activities that extend learning and encourage creativity.
We understand that school-age children need a balance of structure and freedom. Our program offers homework support, enrichment activities, and plenty of time for play and socializing with friends.
Whether your child needs morning care before school starts or a fun, supervised environment after the school day ends, our program provides peace of mind for parents and an enjoyable experience for children. Learn more about preparing your child for kindergarten and the benefits of quality early care.
Program Highlights
- ✓ Homework help & quiet study time
- ✓ STEM & enrichment activities
- ✓ Arts & crafts projects
- ✓ Outdoor play & team games
- ✓ Snacks provided daily, all meals on non-school days
- ✓ Flexible scheduling options
🚌 Getting to and from School
Most families ask this before anything else. For several Oak Harbor schools, your child can ride their regular school bus straight to us. For the schools closest to our Midway Blvd location, we walk your child there and back ourselves.
| Your child’s school | Fort Nugent | View Ridge | Midway Blvd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillcrest Elementary K–4 | 🚌 School bus | 🚌 School bus | , |
| Oak Harbor Elementary K–4 | 🚌 School bus | , | 🚶 We walk them |
| Oak Harbor Intermediate 5–6 | 🚌 School bus | 🚌 School bus | 🚌 School bus |
| North Whidbey Middle School 7–8 | 🚌 School bus | 🚌 School bus | 🚶 We walk them |
| Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Preschool | 🚌 School bus | 🚌 School bus | 🚌 School bus |
| Special education buses Any grade | 🚌 Yes | 🚌 Yes | 🚌 Yes |
| Broad View Elementary K–4 | , | , | , |
| Crescent Harbor Elementary K–4 | , | , | , |
| Olympic View Elementary K–4 | , | , | , |
A dash means there is no route. We checked with the Oak Harbor School District transportation department for the 2026–27 school year, and there is no bus from these schools to any of our locations. If your school is not listed, or you would like to talk through the options, call us on (360) 682-8920.
🚶 Our walking school bus
Oak Harbor Elementary and North Whidbey Middle School sit close enough to our Midway Blvd location that the district counts those children as walkers, so no bus runs. We walk them instead. A member of our staff collects your child from school and walks them back to us, and walks them over in the morning. Same faces every day, door to door, and no bus stop to wait at.
How to set it up
Tell us first
Let us know which school your child attends and which of our locations you need, so we can confirm the route serves us and add your child to our arrival list.
Submit the district form
Parents submit the request, not us. Complete Oak Harbor School District’s Transportation Request Form and give our address as the stop. Whether a particular child qualifies is the district’s decision, and we are happy to help you work it out.
Allow five business days
The district asks families to allow up to five business days for a new route, and to take your child to and from school yourself until the route is confirmed.
Ride from day one of the route
Once the district confirms the stop, your child rides to us. Children may only ride the bus they are assigned to, so the request has to be on file before the first ride.
📅 Two dates worth knowing
The district sets an August deadline each year to guarantee a route for the first week of school, so it is worth arranging before term starts. Routes are also reviewed annually, so it is worth confirming again each August. If you have questions about routing, OHSD Transportation can be reached on 360-279-5570. If you are unsure whether this works for your family, call us on (360) 682-8920 and we will walk you through it.
⏰ Program Schedules
We offer flexible Before School and After School care options to fit your family's needs.
🌞 Before School Care
Start the day right!
🌝 After School Care
Fun after the bell!
Meals are included at no extra cost
On school days your child receives an afternoon snack after school and an evening snack if they stay past 5 PM, since breakfast and lunch are served at school. On non-school days such as summer, winter and spring break, teacher in-service days, and snow days, your child receives breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, and an evening snack if they stay past 5 PM.
🎨 Enrichment Activities
Our program goes beyond basic supervision with engaging activities that spark creativity and learning.
Homework Support
Dedicated quiet time with staff available to help with homework questions and reading practice.
STEM Projects
Hands-on science experiments, building challenges, coding activities, and creative problem-solving.
Arts & Crafts
Drawing, painting, crafting, and creative projects that allow self-expression and develop fine motor skills.
Active Play
Outdoor games, sports, playground time, and indoor movement activities to burn energy and stay healthy.
Games & Puzzles
Board games, card games, puzzles, and cooperative activities that build social skills and strategic thinking.
Reading Corner
A cozy space with age-appropriate books for independent reading or group story time.
💪 What Children Gain
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Academic Support
Reinforcement of school learning through homework help and educational activities.
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🤝
Social Skills
Building friendships, teamwork, conflict resolution, and cooperation through group activities.
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Independence
Taking responsibility for belongings, making choices, and developing self-management skills.
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🎨
Creativity
Exploring new interests through art, building projects, imaginative play, and creative expression.
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Emotional Well-being
A supportive environment where children feel safe, valued, and connected after a long school day.
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Physical Activity
Daily opportunities for active play and movement to support healthy development.
🚀 Weekly Themes & Special Activities
We keep things exciting with rotating themes and special activities throughout the year:
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Science Week
Experiments, discoveries, and hands-on exploration of how things work.
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Art Studio Days
Special art projects, different mediums, and creative expression opportunities.
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Game Tournaments
Friendly competitions in board games, sports, and team challenges.
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Around the World
Learning about different cultures, countries, and traditions through activities and stories.
🎉 School Break & Holiday Care
Full-day care available during school holidays, early release days, and breaks. Contact us for availability!
🎒 What to Bring
Please label all items with your child's name:
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🎒
Backpack
Their school backpack with homework, folders, and any notes from school.
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👜
Change of Clothes
A spare outfit to keep at our center for messy activities or weather changes.
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Water Bottle
A refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the afternoon.
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☀
Weather Gear
Appropriate outerwear for outdoor play - jacket, rain boots, sunscreen as needed.