After School Programs (ASP)

CLICK HERE TO ADD TO THE 2023/24 ASP WAITING LIST

Looking for a safe and fun place to send your children after school? If so, CARD’s After School Program is the place for you! In addition to time for homework, arts, crafts, games, and free play, children will have time to socialize and build friendships.

2023-2024 School Year

Please review the program options below based on the school your child attends.

CARD After School Programs at Blue Oak, Hooker Oak, Marigold, and Nature Center

Locations: Blue Oak, Hooker Oak, Marigold, and Nature Center
Grades:
- Blue Oak- 1-5th Grades
- Hooker Oak &Marigold- Kinder-5th Grades (Kinder is a separate program from the 1-5th program.)
- Nature Center- TK-5th Grades (TK/Kinder is a separate program from the 1-5th program.)
Times: The programs are offered Monday through Friday from the time children are released from school until 6:00pm. (Nature Center program starts at 2:30pm)
Fees: Billing is on a month to month basis. Monthly fees vary based on the number of days of care. The fee for the 2023-24 school year for kinder is $19.50 per day and for 1-5th grades is $14 per day.
Attendance: There are no attendance requirements. Your child may attend days/hours as needed. CARD does not pro-rate for days unattended.
Registration: CLICK HERE TO ADD TO THE 2023/24 WAITING LIST Families who were enrolled in the program for the 2022/23 school year have priority to reenroll. We will start enrolling new families from the waiting list in June for the open spots.
Program Details: For program details, click here to view the Parent Handbook. Children must be able to use the restroom independently to participate in the program.
Nature Center: This outdoor based program runs on the Chico Unified schedule and provides outdoor recreation such as swimming in Big Chico Creek (weather permitting). In addition to freeplay, science, craft and games, children have the opportunity to go on nature walks, build tree forts, attend live animal presentations and grow connections with their peers and nature.
- For Parkview students, CARD staff will pick up children from Parkview. Transportation from schools other than Parkview is not provided.

BLAST After School Programs

The after school programs at the following locations are called BLAST. Chapman, Citrus, Emma Wilson, Little Chico Creek, McManus, Neal Dow, Parkview, Rosedale, Shasta, Sierra View

Chico Unified is the main administrator of the BLAST after school program and works collaboratively with CARD to provide after school care. The majority of the children are enrolled through Chico Unified at no cost and CARD provides limited fee based spots. There is only one 1-5th grade after school program at these schools but two ways to enroll. These enrollment options will not affect your child’s experience in the program, but will differ in registration process, fees, and attendance requirements. The enrollment options are as follows.

Chico Unified (no cost, attendance requirements)
CARD (monthly fee, no attendance requirements)

Information about each option:

Chico Unified
- Locations: On elementary school campuses- Chapman, Citrus, Emma Wilson, Little Chico Creek, McManus, Neal Dow, Parkview, Rosedale, Shasta, Sierra View
- Grades: Kinder-5th grades (Kinder is a separate program from the 1-5th program)
  - TK/Kinder: Enrollment for the TK/Kinder programs at these schools is 100% through Chico Unified. There are no CARD fee based spots available for TK/Kinder.
- Times: The programs are offered Monday through Friday from the time children are released from school until 6:00pm.
- Fee: No cost to families.
- Attendance: Children are required to attend every day (with the exception of illness, medical appointments, or one extracurricular activity per week) for a minimum of 2 hours.
- Registration: To apply to register your child in the program, link opens on March 6, 2023. Click here to find more information and the link: http://bit.ly/CusdBLAST
CARD
- Locations: On elementary school campuses- Emma Wilson, Little Chico Creek, Neal Dow, Parkview, Rosedale, Shasta, Sierra View
- Grades: 1-5th grades (all kinder enrollment is through Chico Unified)
- Times: The programs are offered Monday through Friday from the time children are released from school until 6:00pm.
- Fees: Billing is on a month to month basis. Monthly fees vary based on the number of days of care. The fee for the 2023-24 school year is $14 per day.
- Attendance: As a CARD enrolled family, there are no attendance requirements. Your child may attend days/hours as needed.
- Registration: CLICK HERE TO ADD TO THE 2023/24 WAITING LIST. Families who were enrolled in the program for the 2022/23 school year have priority to reenroll. We will start enrolling new families from the waiting list in June for the open spots.

Program Structure for BLAST After School Program

Students will be grouped based on their age and will stay with their assigned groups for the majority of the program time.
Sample daily schedule for BLAST Program
- 2:20 - 2:45- Sign in and Snack (snack provided by Chico Unified)
- 2:45 - 3:25- Recreation (structured outside activity)
- 3:30 - 4:30- Academic Time (reading and homework)
- 4:30 - 4:45- Assembly
- 4:45 - 5:20- Enrichment Activities (structured disguised learning activities such as crafts, science, cooking, music, creative writing)
- 5:20 - 6:00- Free Choice
Academic time is a mandatory 60 minute period for children to complete their homework and assigned reading.
During Recreation and Enrichment, students will participate in structured planned activities with their assigned group.
Children will have the opportunity to interact with children outside of their assigned groups during Free Choice each day.

2022-2023 School Year

Enrollment: 2022/23 School Year- Click HERE to add your child to the 2022/23 school year waiting list. Most programs are currently full. We will enroll new families from the waiting list as spots come available.

Future Years

If you need care in future years, the waiting list will open on April 1st each year for the following school year. If you are not offered a spot in the program and would like to stay on for future years, you will need to re-add to the waiting list each year.

Parent Testimonials

"We have been so pleased with the after school program! Our child always says what a fun time he has! The teachers have all been kind, caring and consistent with their teaching and guidance."

"My child always looks forward to the CARD After School Program and is even disappointed to leave when I come pick her up. The staff is always engaged with kids and appears to truly enjoy their work. I am grateful for this program and all of the activities for the kids, especially homework help. Thanks also for the very reasonable price!"

"I just wanted to express my gratitude for a wonderful start to the school year. The CARD staff are excellent! My children love coming every day. My youngest child just started this year and the staff made her feel comfortable immediately. I couldn't ask for more for my children. Every time I pick up they are always engrossed in activities with their friends and the leaders. And we always look forward to the Kids Clubs on Fridays. Thank you to everyone's hard work that goes into this excellent program!"

"CARD has helped my son improve his social skills, build his team work skills and participate in things he has never done. The leaders are fun, engaging and responsible. Thank you!"

"Thank you for providing such a great program. We really love that the kids must do homework. This really helps the parents out. We really like that common rules and respect for the staff is enforced. We also like the many activities that our children have to participate in. Thanks again."

“The CARD after school program has exceeded my expectations for after school childcare. It is affordable, safe care that my children love! That is a win for our whole family. We appreciate all that CARD offers and will use your programs for years to come!”