School Daycare or off Campus Daycare?

Well... neither/both. The before and after program my son goes to is separate from the school, but it is NEXT DOOR to the school. So yeah, they "transport" him, but it's just the group of kids and teachers WALKING over together.

I like, that once he's at school, he isn't leaving (well not really) until I come get him. Also, if school gets canceled/dismissed early or anything, the daycare just gets him so there's no added logistical issue to work out.

You should try and find out what other parents think. I think for most families, the school daycare works pretty good. But some kids don't do well there. They usually don't have very professional people working there. They are usually young or old and spend a great deal of time sitting or on the phone etc. It's really just a place to warehouse kids until 6. BUT, I'm sure some areas are better staffed.

My 3rd grader goes to an offsite private daycare that my 2 year old also attends preschool. While I have heard great things about the afterschool care at the school, it is not feasible for us. The afterschool care at the school is only open when school is in session. That means I would have to either take off work or find alternate care on school holidays, spring break, summer, etc. Plus the cost is a minor difference between the afterschool care and the afterschool daycare. My oldest has the option to do homework in the homework room when he gets to the daycare afterschool. Just make sure you get all the information, and take tours, talk to other parents etc so you can make an informed decision.

K.:

When I am working outside the home? I prefer my kids to be in Tae Kwon Do.

I don't like the SACC program (School Aged Child Care) here...some of the the kids that use the SACC here are not what I want my children to be influenced by.

We have tried both, lots of pros and cons for both. For now I am doing the after school care program. I have worked with the person who runs it, she allots time for homework and that makes a huge difference. A huge downside to the off site was that the bus stops at several schools and it took over an hour for him to get there and I just decided that there was a more constructive solution to sitting on a bus. I would definitely revisit the idea because I do like the structure that they provide but logistics and cost will factor in. Good luck!

One pro point for care at school site - once you drop off your child, there is no other time child will be on the road (excluding field trips) - so IMO child has less risk of possible accident (have seen some crazy driving around schools) and would not be late!

@LiveBold - the school care where my dgd is might have h/s kids helping of the afternoons, but they cannot be just sitting or on their phones! I have seen them interacting with the kids - playing games or doing crafts (and this also includes the "older" staff).

It depends on if there are other kids that don't go to school yet. And the hours the after school is open. Some close earlier than a child care center.

For me, it would depend on the quality and safety and all those details, of the daycare.
And that your child likes it.

I have used both. I liked the after care better, but they fill up very quickly.

We have only used the care at the school and for us it worked well. I did consider a preschool for DD that would pick her up once she hit elementary school. Talk to the school and the program. We are not sure if we will use an outside center or maybe even just hire a college student for the afternoon because they changed providers at SD's old school. We have a year and a half to think about it.