Carrsville Elementary to finally offer childcare

Published 10:08 pm Tuesday, August 17, 2010

After years of pushing from parents and officials, before- and after-school childcare is coming to Carrsville Elementary School this school year.

“We’ve been wanting this service for our families for years,” Principal Jackie Carr said. “So we are thrilled.”

Last week, Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors voted to allow the county’s Parks and Recreation Department to administer the program at Carrsville this year. The Luter Family YMCA in Smithfield offers before- and after-school care at the county’s four other elementary schools.

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Carrsville District School Board member Kenneth Bunch said he was “pleased” with the supervisors’ offer.

“We figured it was an opportunity; it was something that needed to be addressed,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Phillip Bradshaw, who represents the Carrsville District.

The program is guaranteed this school year on a trial basis, and the county will continue to look for a partner agency to provide the service, much like the Smithfield YMCA at the other schools.

“It may or may not be Parks and Recreation long term,” county spokesman Don Robertson said.

The program will be available from 6:30 to 8:35 a.m. and 3:50 to 6 p.m. on school days. There is a $10 registration fee, and the weekly cost for morning or afternoon care is $30. The weekly cost for both morning and afternoon care is $50.

Carr said parents could register their children during the school’s open house from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 2.

Parents must pay the registration fee and the first week of care at that time.

“Our hope and feeling is once this program is implemented here at Carrsville, that more and more families will take advantage of it,” Carr said.