Our Programs
We are conveniently located on the school grounds and offer a before school, after school, and a drop-in enrollment. We have a minimum of 3 days per week for either program. Anything less is subject to availability. We can enroll children between the ages of 4 years 8 months and 15 years of age. All of the children share the large play and art areas with the exception of the “Big Kid Area” which is for 4th grade and up. The Big Kid Area has games and books that are more age appropriate to our older Skippers. In addition to offering care during the school weeks, we also offer special contracts for full day care on school vacations, as well as a summer program.
School Year Programs
A variety of rotating activities give children an opportunity to participate in games, sports, arts & crafts, science & nature projects, cooking, music, drama and creative play. Each day we offer children a space to do homework with help from our staff if needed, as well as explore a variety of activities based on changing themes throughout the school year. We limit the use of electronics, instead focusing on more hands-on experiences.
K-4 Morning Programs
Our before school program starts at 6:30am. We offer a variety of projects and creative play options to warm up the children’s minds for school. We offer a nutritious breakfast each day, at no extra charge, that meets the standards for the CACFP to ensure every child can start the day with a full belly. Being on the same grounds as the school, we are able to either dismiss the children out onto the playground for morning recess or walk them directly to the door when there is no morning recess. We do accept Pre K students as long as they meet our minimum age requirement of 4 years 8 months.
K-8 After School Programs
We open our afterschool program at 2:30pm to meet our middle school Skippers at their bus stop at the bottom of Vine street. A staff member walks down to meet them and ensure they get to the building safely. Middle school Skippers are offered more options for snacks including options to cook basic foods, like grilled cheese, with supervision and learn important life skills. At 3:20pm we walk up to a back door of the school to receive the Skippers being dismissed to our care. Upon ensuring we have everyone on our roster we all walk back to the SKIP building to wash up for a snack. Occasionally we have a “fun” snack like a mini donut and applesauce, but typically we serve nutritious snacks that meet the CACFP requirement for healthy serves. We try to get outside every afternoon as long as the weather (and daylight) allow for at least 20 mins. We focus on social learning. Playing together, being safe, and communicating with our peers to build strong social connections. We offer art and steam projects as well as group games and science mini lessons. Dramatic play is a big part of free play as well as many manipulative toys to build and create with their imagination.
Special Contracts
Occasionally throughout the school year we offer a Special Contract for full day care on days the school is closed. The individual days vary year to year based on the Conval school district calendar, however we always plan to cover both February and April vacation weeks. A child must be enrolled and have all necessary forms turned into SKIP in order to participate. If your child does not need regular care but you would like to enroll them for non school days only, you would register as a “drop-in”. Special Contract days are subject to a minimum of 10 kids signing up. Each year we list the special contract days we plan to offer in our family handbook.
Summer Break Programs
Each year SKIP offers a 6-7 week full-day program that is open to any child between the ages of 4 years 8 months and 15 years old (not just Peterborough residents.) The Summer Program is a separate registration, you do not need to attend during the school year to get a summer spot. We plan a fun filled theme for each week, occasionally offering field trips! In the past we have had a pond day every week, but this is now contingent on Lifeguards and transportation being available. We do like to take walks to different places in town to stretch our legs and get a nice change of scenery. We offer indoor and outdoor play every day with AC inside to help keep us cool through the hot summer. We hold a structured day that is similar to a school day to help prevent some of the summer dysregulation.
