Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you don't see what you are looking for, contact us at [email protected] or via phone at 978-266-2525 (option 3) for assistance.

PLEASE NOTE: When submitting a pre-registration form to request care (whether for the current or next school year), submission of the form does NOT guarantee admission to the Extended Day Program. Spaces are limited at each site due to the space available at each location, and the teacher to student ratio.

Pre-registration? What does this mean?
Pre-registration is the process of requesting care for your child. Families must complete the pre-registration form is they wish to be considered for a spot.

Can I still register my child for Extended Day 2024-25?
Here is the link to submit your registration request. We will get back to you within three school days of submission regarding space at the program. As of January 21, 2025, some sites are operating with waitlists. Spaces will be offered as they become available on a first come, first served basis.

How do I pre-register my child for Extended Day 2025-26?
For families currently attending Extended Day:
Our registration request form for the 2025-26 school year will open to families with children currently attending Extended Day on Tuesday, April 1 at 6pm, and it will be sent via ParentSquare at that time. If your child currently attends Extended Day and you wish to enroll them for the next school year, you still must submit the form. Incoming siblings can also be pre-registered at this time.

A special note to current Extended Day families: Registration requests will not be processed until 2024-25 balances are paid in full. If your family has an outstanding balance after April 28th (the final payment deadline of the school year), the date that payment is made will become your effective date of pre-registration (if pre-registration has already been submitted.) For example, if you submit the pre-registration form on April 19th but do not pay the outstanding balance until May 23rd, the registration request will be dated May 23rd.

For families who are not currently attending the program:
Pre-registration will open to the wider community on Thursday, May 1 at 6pm, and the link to that form will be posted on our website.

When will I know if my child has a spot at Extended Day?
We enroll on a first come, first served basis. For 2025-26, we hope to begin confirming spaces in late May, and we will provide all families a 'status update' by the end of June. If there is more demand for care than spaces available, families will be notified of their waitlisted status, and we will enroll on a rolling basis as space/staffing allows.

If you are submitting your request mid-school year, we will endeavor to respond via email within three days regarding the ability to accommodate your request.

What if I don't get a spot and my child is waitlisted?
While we wish we were able to accommodate all families who need care, there may be times that waitlists are established. You will be notified if you are waitlisted. As a policy, we do not share waitlist positions or information regarding the likelihood of acceptance.

What will I need to pay at the time of enrollment?
Your family's non-refundable registration fee ($30 per child/$50 per family (for 2024-25), increasing to $35 per child/$60 per family for 2025-26) as well as your non-refundable June payment will be due upon acceptance to the program.

I am new to the district and waiting on my school assignment. How can I register
for Extended Day?
Please wait to register for Extended Day until your child(ren)'s school has been assigned. Incorrect requests impact both your child's registration as well as that of others. If you submit a request BEFORE your child's school has been assigned, your request will be canceled and you will be asked to re-submit after assignment.

My child was assigned to _______ school but we're on the waitlist to attend _______ school.
Where should I register?
Please register at the school your child was assigned. If you get off the waitlist for your desired school, please let us know ASAP and we will do our best to accommodate the change. However, we cannot guarantee that space will be available at your new location.

What if I want my child to start at Extended Day later in the school year?
All registration requests processed before school begins will be effective for the start of the school year, even if children will not attend those first few days. We cannot hold spaces for future enrollments, and cannot comment on future space availability. Our pre-registration form remains open throughout the school year and if space is available at your child's site, we enroll students to start as late as June 1!

What if I need to change my child's schedule AFTER I've submitted the form but BEFORE I've been notified if I have a space?
Please resubmit the appropriate pre-registration form so we have a record of your new request. Requests will be processed in the order in which they are received.

Is transportation provided to and/or from the Extended Day Program?
No, parents are responsible for bringing their child to and/or picking up their child from the program.

Is financial assistance available?
Limited financial assistance is available to families who qualify. Applications and instructions on how to share your family's free or reduced lunch status with Community Education are available here. Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions about the application process.

Do you accept state vouchers?
No, we do not accept state-issued childcare vouchers.

ALL schedule change requests (whether prior to the start of or during the school year) are dependent upon available space at the time of the request. Although we will try to accommodate your request, we may not be able to due to space or staff constraints.

What if I need to change my child's schedule AFTER my child is enrolled in the program but BEFORE school begins?
In order to prepare for the new school year, any schedule changes for the start of the school year must be requested by August 10th via the online schedule change form . Any requests received from August 11th-September 10th will be made effective October 1st. Due to the large volume of requests, requests may be submitted only via the online form; we will not process changes requested via phone or email.

What if I need to change my child's schedule during the school year?
Our schedule change policy requires that requests are submitted using the online schedule change form, and must be submitted by the 10th of the month if you wish to add or reduce days to your child's schedule effective the following month. For example, if you wish to change your child's schedule on November 1st, you must complete the form by October 10th at the latest.

Please note, we charge a $20 fee for repeated schedule changes. A family's first change is free but any subsequent changes will incur a fee.

Changes are not confirmed until you receive a response from Community Ed; any schedule change requests are dependent upon available space at the time of your request. The date of form submission will be regarded as the date of request, and you will receive a copy of your request form from Google Forms after submission.

Is there a nurse at Extended Day?
No, we do not employ medical professionals. Adult staff are trained in CPR and first aid, and would respond to any emergencies according to their training.

What if my child has a food allergy, asthma, requires medication or has another medical issue?
We ask that you contact us. You may be required to submit an allergy and/or asthma action plan, medication (i.e. an inhaler or EpiPen) and a completed and signed consent form. Our staff are not trained medical providers and although trained in CPR and first aid, they are limited in what treatment they can provide at Extended Day.

What if I need to cancel my child's enrollment in Extended Day?
Written notice is required if you plan to entirely leave or withdraw your child from the program. Please complete our online schedule change form by the 10th of the month preceding the change. For example, if you want to cancel your child's enrollment effective February 1, you must complete the form by January 10. Your non-refundable June payment will be retained, and you will remain responsible for any charges on your account.

Are there any other policies we should be aware of?
Yes, and most are conveniently listed in our 2024-25 Family Handbook.

Reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions.