How to Bring Before and After School Care to Your Child's School
If you have ever raced across town at 5:45pm to make a daycare pickup, you already know why on-site before and after school care matters. The good news: you don't have to wait for your district to figure it out. Parents are often the reason a school starts a program. This guide walks you through how to start an after school program at your school, without asking your principal to take on more work.
## Why care at your own school is better
When care happens in the same building where your child learns, there is no bus transfer, no second drop-off, and no extra commute. Kids stay with classmates they already know. Teachers and care staff can talk to each other. And mornings get easier too: Cadet Care before-school typically runs 7:30 to 9:00am, so you can get to work on time without rushing.
## Step 1: Find out what your school has today
Start by asking your front office or PTO a few simple questions. Is there any before or after school program right now? Is there a waitlist? Do families leave the building at dismissal to go to off-site care? If the answer is "nothing" or "a long waitlist," there is clear demand, and that is the strongest argument you can bring.
## Step 2: Gather a few interested families
Principals respond to numbers. Post in your class group chat or PTO page and ask, "Would you use before or after school care here if it were offered?" Even 15 to 20 interested families is a meaningful signal. Write down how many days a week people would need it.
## Step 3: Know what the school is actually asked to do
Most principals hesitate because they picture more paperwork, more staffing headaches, and more liability. With Cadet Care, the school provides the space and that's about it. We handle hiring, background checks and FBI fingerprinting, training, curriculum, registration, payments, and parent communication.
There is also no cost to the school or district. Families pay tuition directly, and the school earns a revenue share, currently estimated at $25 to $45 per child, per month, subject to final listed pricing. That money goes back into the school's budget.
## Step 4: Licensing is handled for them
Before and after school programs need to be licensed or formally approved by the state, and that process typically takes 60 to 90 days. We handle the entire process in Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, and Oregon. While the paperwork moves, we can start enrichment programs on-site right away, so families get coverage from the first weeks instead of waiting months.
## Step 5: Send the email
Here is a short email you can copy and send to your principal or PTO president:
Hi [Principal's name], I'm a parent of a [grade] student here. Several families, including mine, would use before and after school care at our school if it were offered. I came across Cadet Care by The Recreation Academy. It runs at no cost to the school, handles staffing and state licensing, includes enrichment clubs and sports clinics, and pays the school a monthly revenue share. Would you be open to a short call with them? Their information is at therecreationacademy.com/schoolcare. Thank you!
## Step 6: Let us take it from there
Once your principal is interested, they can request a proposal through our partner inquiry form. We'll ask for your bell times, available space, and expected enrollment, then send a proposal with family pricing and the school's revenue share. You can also forward our one-page Cadet Care brief.
## The bottom line
You don't need to be on the PTO board or know anything about licensing. One email from a parent who cares is often how great programs start. Learn more about Cadet Care at therecreationacademy.com/schoolcare.