Communities in Schools ending before and afterschool childcare

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) – Once the school year ends in June, Communities in Schools will no longer offer Fee-Based Before and Afterschool Childcare or Summer Camp.

CIS says it began offering childcare services 20 years ago when there were fewer options for childcare in the local community. However as the area has grown more options have become available to parents, allowing CIS to focus its efforts in other areas where it can have a greater impact on student outcomes. The demand for childcare in the schools has shown a decline in recent years with the number of CIS Before and Afterschool programs decreasing from five sites in 2013 to only two current remaining sites, at Belville and Southport elementary schools.

In August, days before the new school year started, CIS originally announced they were ending the program immediately. Days later, after a large public outcry, CIS reversed course and decided to keep the program open in certain schools.

CIS says they decided to announce their decision now, to give parents who use the program as much notice as possible. CIS says notifying parents in the middle of the current school year gives them eight months to explore other options and secure alternative childcare before the start of the next school year.

CIS is also providing a list of alternative childcare programs in the area. While CIS says it is not endorsing any particular program, it was important to CIS to provide parents with a starting point in seeking alternative childcare.

CIS says its primary focus is dropout prevention. There has been an increased focus placed on providing intervention and support to students who struggle with academics, behavioral issues, truancy, and other risk factors that impact their ability to succeed in school. Where CIS intervenes to provide case management and support services, 99% of students are promoted to the next grade. CIS offers its dropout prevention program in five middle schools in Brunswick County and hopes to expand to include additional schools as determined by need and financial feasibility.