3:00 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Dismissal and the walk
Aniya and Jhoan
After-school program in Buffalo
We meet your child at the school door and walk them here
Lunchbox picks up on foot from two elementary schools, then fills the hours until you arrive with snack, homework and play.
The walking pickup
From the dismissal bell to our front table
The same route every school day, from each school's door to ours.
- 3:00 p.m.
Step 1: Dismissal at the school door
Two staff members are at each school's pickup door before the bell, with the day's list of children who come to us.
- 3:05 p.m.
Step 2: Names checked
Each child is checked against the list before the group sets off, and backpacks and coats are zipped.
- 3:10 p.m.
Step 3: The walk
One staff member leads and one stays at the back, with children in pairs on the sidewalk. We cross at corners only.
- 3:25 p.m.
Step 4: Our front door
Backpacks go on cubby hooks, hands get washed, and each child is signed in on the sheet at the front table.
- 3:30 p.m.
Step 5: Snack
Fruit, crackers or cheese at the long table, then homework hour at a quarter to four.
The afternoon
An afternoon in five parts
The parts stay the same each day. Only the activity hour changes.
School year
Monday
3:25 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Snack and wash-up
Main room
3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Homework hour
Rosina · Main room
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Gym game
Jhoan · Gym
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Quiet play and pickup
Main room
Tuesday
3:00 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Dismissal and the walk
Aniya and Jhoan
3:25 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Snack and wash-up
Main room
3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Homework hour
Rosina · Main room
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Art table
Jhoan · Main room
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Quiet play and pickup
Main room
Wednesday
3:00 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Dismissal and the walk
Aniya and Jhoan
3:25 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Snack and wash-up
Main room
3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Homework hour
Rosina · Main room
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Outside, or the gym when it is wet
Aniya · Back lot
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Quiet play and pickup
Main room
Thursday
3:00 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Dismissal and the walk
Aniya and Jhoan
3:25 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Snack and wash-up
Main room
3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Homework hour
Rosina · Main room
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Science table
Rosina · Main room
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Quiet play and pickup
Main room
Friday
3:00 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Dismissal and the walk
Aniya and Jhoan
3:25 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Snack and wash-up
Main room
3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Homework hour
Rosina · Main room
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Choice time and board games
Aniya · Main room
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Quiet play and pickup
Main room
Sample classes.
Families can pick up any time from 4:30 p.m. until we close at 6 p.m.
Programs
Which days fit your week
| Ages | Adults to children | Group size | Five afternoons3 to 6 p.m.Monday to Friday | Three afternoons3 to 6 p.m.Monday, Wednesday, Friday | Two afternoons3 to 6 p.m.Tuesday, Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten5 to 6 yearsShorter activities and a quiet corner at homework hour. | 1 adult to 10 children | 20 | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Grades 1 and 26 to 8 yearsA staff member at every homework table. | 1 adult to 10 children | 20 | Offered | Full | Offered |
| Grades 3 to 58 to 11 yearsMore choice in the activity hour. | 1 adult to 10 children | 20 | Waitlist | Offered | Offered |
Fees and what each is for
- Registration
- Sets up your child's file and holds the place; due when you register.
- Early-dismissal afternoons
- Paid for the longer afternoons when we open at dismissal; the days are listed ahead of time.
- Late pickup
- Covers staff who stay past closing; the terms are in your registration packet.
Sample programs.
Plans
Plans by days a week
Each plan follows the same afternoon.
Two afternoons
Tuesday and Thursday
- The walk from school
- Snack and homework hour
- Activity hour and quiet play
Three afternoons
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- The walk from school
- Snack and homework hour
- Activity hour and quiet play
Five afternoons
Monday to Friday
- The walk from school
- Snack and homework hour
- Activity hour and quiet play
Safety and license
Our license and the numbers behind it
The state sets the most children one adult may supervise. Our number is on the board, and the program table reads from it.
License
Licensed by OCFS
School-age child care license · NY License # 000000Verify
Adults to children
1 adult to 10 children
5 to 11 years
Group size: 20
Group size
Up to 20 children
with 2 adults
Capacity
45
Ages 5 years to 11 years
Staff checks and training
- Background checks
- CPR and first aid
- Mandated reporter training
- Medication training
Safety routines
Sign-in and pickup
Every child is signed in on the sheet at the front table, with the time. A child leaves only with an adult on your list, who signs the sheet; anyone we haven't met shows photo ID.
The walk
Two staff members meet each school's group at the door, check names against the day's list and walk the same route. We count heads at the school door and again at ours.
Allergies and medicine
Tell us about allergies when you tour; we ask privately once you enroll. Medicine is given only with your written permission, by a staff member trained to give it.
Ask us about child care assistance
Sample details.
Parents say
What families tell us
“Dismissal used to be the hardest part of my day. Now someone is at the school door who knows exactly who is coming with them.”
Houda A.Parent of a seven-year-old
“The sign-out sheet tells me who had my child and when. On days my child needed help with a worksheet, there was a note in the folder.”
Latia R.Parent of a five-year-old
“In January the group still walks, in hats and gloves, and my son comes in hungry for snack. That is the whole review.”
Conor B.Parent of a nine-year-old
Sample reviews.
Hold a place for fall
Registration takes a few minutes online. Questions first? Call or write, and a person answers.