Extended Care

The Extended Care Program is available to any student enrolled in an instructional class at The Independence School. Students may participate in this program whenever their classes are not in session. The main facility is located in the center of the Early Childhood Division which facilitates movement to and from classes for the younger children.

Supervised care for all students begins at 7:00 a.m. and concludes at 6:00 p.m. The program operates twelve months a year, closing for the observance of national holidays or in the event of severe weather. There are two payment schedules that may be selected. The first is one in which a pre-registered fee is paid when parents sign a contract for set hours. This fee involves a lower competitive hourly rate. Parents are billed in eight payments. The second payment schedule in which Extended Care is used as a drop-in service has a higher hourly fee. Special events or field trips are planned for most in-service days and vacation days.

Guest speakers and performers are invited. Magicians, jugglers, puppeteers, the S.P.C.A., scientists, musical performers, and professional storytellers have instructed and entertained the children in Extended Care. Field trips are scheduled to such places as Pike Creek Bowling Center, the Baltimore Aquarium, The Pond, and Coleman’s Tree Farm. Numerous outdoor activities make use of Independence ’s 90-acre campus: biking, nature walks, and sledding in the winter snow. The Director of Extended Care and the Extended Care Staff (many are Independence faculty members) keep the children involved and happy. A great deal of attention is given to each individual. Extended Care is indeed a home away from home.