After School Programs that Pick Up at Philly Schools
Parents rejoice! We’ve got you covered after school.
Childcare is always a challenge when you’re juggling everyone’s schedules. The beginning of the school year provides a bit of relief after an August spent patching together care once camp has let out, but that’s really only got you covered until about 3 pm. There are so many great extra-curricular programs out there, but if you’re stuck in the office (or your kids go to different programs), how do your kids get from Point A to Point B?
Luckily, this is not a unique problem, and many programs pick up from local schools. We’ve compiled some great options, and you’re sure to find something great, no matter your kids’ interests!
Philly Art Center
Queen Village: 514 Bainbridge St., Philadelphia
Fairmount: 2501 Olive St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Bache-Martin, Greene Towne Montessori, Greenfield, Independence Charter School, Russell Byers Charter School, St. Francis Xavier, Jackson, McCall, Meredith, Nebinger, St. Mary’s, Southwark
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: Pre-K-6 (ages 4-12)
Philly Art Center’s After School Art program, with free school pick-up, is one of the most popular around. With two locations—Queen Village and Fairmount—they pick up at a wide range of schools, and provide skill-building and age-appropriate studio classes in various media, plus a snack. Organized into three seasons, you preregister online for one day, or up to all five, for the season.
Moonstone Preschool
Pickup From: Meredith Elementary and Jackson Elementary
Care Until: 6 pm
Grades: K-3
At Moonston’s “After Moon”, your child will be immersed in the same curricular themes presented in the Preschool, but at a level appropriate to their age and ability. Moonstone offers students a dynamic, all-encompassing arts education program. The focus will be on teaching emotional/ social development through art and performance. The visual and performance arts offer students the ability to learn skills such as cooperation, collaboration, independence, interdependence, self-expression, and other valuable life skills, along with an enriching art experience.
Philly InMovement
Queen Village: 500 Kenilworth St., Philadelphia
Bella Vista: 610 S. Percy St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Meredith, McCall, Nebinger, Jackson, Independence Charter School, Christopher Columbus Charter School
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: K-6
InMovement’s “MOVE After School” program gives your kids energy filled movement classes as well as homework help! You can register for one day, or up to all five.
Old Pine Community Center
401 Lombard St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Meredith, McCall, Nebinger, Independence Charter School, St. Peter’s School, St. Mary’s School, Christopher Columbus Charter School, and more
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: K-8
Kids will get daily homework help and a snack, as well as kid-created clubs, arts and crafts, and trips to the park.
Fleisher Art Memorial
719 Catharine St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Meredith, McCall, Nebinger, Christopher Columbus Charter School, Jackson (Free walking pick up is available from these schools)
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: K-8
After school Creative Lab involves a thematically driven curriculum to evoke expression and perspectives through art; including visual art, movement, puppetry, and creative writing. You can sign up for one day per week, or all five.
Settlement Music School (must be a Settlement student)
416 Queen St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Meredith, McCall, Nebinger, Christopher Columbus Charter School
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: Pre-K-3 (ages 3-9)
New students to Settlement who are in Kindergarten through third grade, as well as kids in Settlement’s Kaleidoscope Preschool can enroll in the Kaleidoscope Plus after school program where they will receive homework support and snack, and are immersed in the world of music, theater, and visual arts. Students explore music, puppetry, storytelling, and creative acting. Enroll one day per week, up to five days per week.
Kids on 12th
204 South 12th St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: McCall, Greenfield, Independence Charter School
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: 1-5
Kids can get homework help and snack options along with countless choices of activities every day like sports activities, art projects, quiet reading time, and swimming. Kids also have the option of joining the Junior Teacher Program, where they take on responsibilities like fundraising and community cleanup—and get rewarded with the “JT lock-in” sleepover party at the end of the year.
Makom
2013 Sansom St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Greenfield, Chester A. Arthur, Stanton, Independence Charter School
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: Pre-K-5
Jewish afterschool enrichment and community learning. Each Friday, families are invited to stay for a family celebration of Shabbat where students prepare food together.
Beacon Center
2125 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Greenfield
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: K-2 (ages 5-7)
This popular Philly preschool also has an after school program for younger kids, with storytimes, art, homework help, trips to local parks and libraries, and more.
Christian Street YMCA
1724 Christian St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Arthur Elementary School, E.M. Stanton Elementary School, Abigail Vare, Independence Charter, Smith Elementary School, Universal Charter School, Christopher Columbus Charter School, George Washington, Philadelphia Free School (Transportation is subject to change based on enrollment and availability. The Y will consider providing transportation where there are 5 or more students enrolled in the program.)
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: K-6 (ages 5-12)
Children receive homework assistance, as well as recreational and enrichment activities.
Parent Infant Center
4205 Spruce St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: by van from Greenfield, Powel, Science Leadership Academy Middle School, St Francis de Sales, and Independence Charter West. Teachers meet and walk with children from Lea School and Penn Alexander School.
Grades: K-6
Care until: 6 pm
PIC’s after school program offers time for homework assistance, outdoor free play, and a variety of special-interest clubs such as cooking, writing projects, carpentry, sports, arts and crafts, science, and community service.
University City Arts League
4226 Spruce St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Penn Alexander, Lea, or area bus stops; Independence Charter School pickup on Wednesdays only
Grades: K-8
Care until: 6 pm
Choose from over 25 visual arts, technology, and movement classes, including drawing and painting, video, animation, pottery, dance, digital art, comics, and more. You can sign up for one day per week up to five days per week.
Sound Space Performing Arts
2511 West Girard Ave., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia
Pickup from: Bache-Martin, St. Francis Xavier, Robert Morris Elementary, and the Greene St. Friends bus stop
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: Pre-K-6 (ages 4-12)
Each day, the children participate in an hour of dance and movement. The rest of the time is devoted to games, homework, reading, mindfulness, art, and a snack break.
Portside Arts Center
2531 E. Lehigh Ave., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Horatio B. Hackett (at capacity for ’19, waitlist available), Adaire, H. A. Brown Elementary, Our Lady of Port Richmond, St. Laurentius Catholic School
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: Pre-K-6
Portside Arts Center provides a hands-on visual arts curriculum, as well as homework time. The program is broken up by age group, and allows students to experience many different art forms throughout the year. Students must enroll in one full month at a time (5 days a week).
PlayArts
1241 N. Front St., Philadelphia
Pickup from: Adaire
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: K-6 (ages 5-12)
Kids at PlayArts have homework time, play in open-ended centers, games, and crafts. Full week kids also get enrollment in two classes of their choice during each class series, such as theater games, art, and music. Students also have the option of adding on a private music lesson for an additional charge.
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia
Pickup from: Call for info
Care until: 6 pm
Grades: K-6 (ages 5-12)
The Schuylkill Center’s Monkey Tail Gang includes nature exploration, outdoor and indoor play, group activities, and snacks. The centerpiece of this program is really free play and connecting with nature. Daily outdoor activities may include hiking in the forest, exploring streams and ponds, searching for signs of wildlife, and even canoeing!
City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Rec Centers
In addition to all these great places, many city rec centers run their own affordable after school programs, which also provide pickup from the neighborhood. For example: Palumbo picks up from Meredith, McCall, and Christopher Columbus Charter; Water Tower picks up from Jenks; and East Passyunk Rec Center picks up from Southwark, Jackson, and St. Anthony’s. These programs begin to enroll in the summer, and fill up quickly, so check as soon as possible if you are interested.
Finally, if you had your heart set on a particular after school program, but they don’t provide transportation, look into private transportation like ShuttleBee, which was specifically created to help safely get kids around town and fit into families’ schedules.
Photograph by Sarah L. Bender.
Lisa August 2, 2018
The Boys and Girls Club of South Philadelphia also picks up from many south Philly schools. Our daughter (entering 3rd grade) has been in their aftercare program since Kindergarten and we’ve been very happy. The rates are extremely reasonable, they provide a snack (which is almost a full meal), homework help, indoor and outdoor (depending on weather) games, computer lab, and other activities.
Sarah Bond August 16, 2018
Thanks so much for sharing, Lisa!
Melissa Rosato October 13, 2018
Is there a list of which programs also offer beforecare and transportation to local schools? I know YMCA does. Any others that do both?