Generations After School Program offers another child care option in Ramona

A new child care option is opening in Ramona just in time for the school summer vacation.

Generations After School Program started in early April in a former church building at 424 Letton St.

For now, the program is offering after-school care for youths ages 5 to 13 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. But once summer break begins on June 6, the program will expand to include summer camp starting June 10.

Camp will be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, but before- and after-camp care services will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Generations After School Program is being run by Marcie Laws-Hayes next to her Generations Day Care service for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but the two programs will be kept separate in two buildings, she said.

"There's a huge need for child care in Ramona for school-age children," Laws-Hayes said. "I’m particularly interested in having sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders come here because they sometimes are a left-out demographic for services that are safe and fun. We’re hoping to reach older kids and provide a place that's meaningful for them."

The program has a grant from the state Department of Developmental Services and the San Diego Regional Center, Laws-Hayes said. That allows Generations After School Program to provide scholarships for free and substantially reduced fees for special needs children to attend the after-school program and summer camps, she said.

At least 12 special needs children could be served out of a total of 57 school-aged children, Laws-Hayes said. Once grant funds run out Nov. 30, Laws-Hayes said she would be prepared to continue providing services to Regional Center children ages 5 to 13 so the program could continue seamlessly.

"The benefit of the grant is that it creates an opportunity for the children to have an inclusive and fully integrated experience with peers in their community, and to give parents reliable and safe care for their children," she said.

Activities at Generations After School Program include basketball, bike riding, mini golf, arcade games, ping pong in addition to reading in a small library and science, technology, engineering and math activities at a "Maker's Space." Adaptive and sensory equipment available to special needs children include a ball pit, iPads, bicycles and toys.

During summer camp, activities will revolve around weekly themes such as operation kindness, Legos and engineering, nature and science, and Harry Potter potions, Lawes-Hayes said. Outdoor activities will also include animal care of a baby pig, goats, tortoises and a chicken.

Some staff members are bilingual and/or trained to care for individuals with special needs, Laws-Hayes said.

So far, the program has 15 kids in the after-school program, with 20 to 30 children signed up for the weekly summer camp. The program is accommodating students attending James Dukes Elementary School and the Ramona Community Montessori School with transportation to the care facility.

"I know that Ramona continually has a need for safe, reliable, engaging care for children in our community and we are pleased to be able to offer this care to up to 57 children daily," Laws-Hayes said. "This is just another option for parents who are looking for a place for their kids to go after school."

Rates are $200 per month for after-school care, $10 per day for transportation from their school site, and $200 per week for summer camp. There is also a $65 annual family membership fee.

For more information or to sign up, email [email protected] or visit the website GenerationsRamona.com and click on the after-school link.