My boys are 7 and 8 and in the 1st and 3rd grade. We use the extended day program through their school which is much more reasonably priced then a daycare center. As far as the summer, last year we tried Tuscawilla Park's summer program which the boys absolutely LOVED! The price ran us about $150 a week (that is for two boys though). The place is great...they have several activities that they alternate each week including swimming at the public pool twice a week, they have a recreation room, access to the park right there at Tuscawilla, ice cream truck twice a week, they did field trips every week, had carnival days, etc. As I said the boys loved it and ask me at least once a week "what are we doing for the summer? Can we go back to Tuscawilla?" lol I say it costs around $150, but it really varies depending on what activities you sign your child up for that week. It is $3 for swimming for the week, $1 for ice cream truck, etc. Each activity costs extra, but they are reasonably priced and I felt it was well worth the money. I am pretty sure all of the ladies working there were teachers from different area schools also who made this their summer job. Hope this helps anyone out. We have only lived on Ocala for about two years now, so, it was a great help hearing about this summer program last year!

Brandy

ok EVERYONE LISTN UP I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELING OF KEEPING YOUR CHILDREN IN CHILDCARE CENTERS BUT I KNOW THIS ONE AMAZING PLACE OFF OF 25TH AND 14TH ST IN OCALA. KID ZONE USA!!!! THE REASONS WHY THEY ARE THE BEST IS AS FOLLOWED:
1. HRS OF OPERATION 530 AM - 7 PM
2. CLOSE CIRCUIT CAMERAS
3. CDS WELCOME
4. LOW PAYMENTS VERY INEXSPENSIVE
5. FRIENDLY ENVIROMENT
6. ALL CREDENTIALS ON FILE
7. STAFF FRIENDLY
8. OPEN AREAS FRO KIDS TO PLAY AND ROAM AMAZING PLAYGROUNDS AND INDOOR BALLPIT LIKE AT MCDONALDS (HEHE)
9. CHILDRENS PARADISE
10. MY CHILD ALWAYS COMES HOME DIRTY THAT MEANS THEY HAD FUN!!
11. JUST THE PLACE IS AMAZING
12. THEY WORK WITH YOU ON YOUR PAYMENTS


TO BE HONEST I THINK THEY BLOW ANYPLACE OUT OF WATER PLUS THEY HAVE AFTERCARE PROGRAMS PICKING AND DROPPING OFF FROM ALL LOCAL ELEMENT,MIDDLE SCHOOLS PUBLIC OR PRIVATE OFFER BREAKFAST AND A 3PM AND 5 PM SNACK AND THEY HAVE MUSIC GOING THROUGH THE WHOLE CENTER AND veryyyyy CLEAN!!!

CALL ANYTIME TO ONE OF THERE HAPPY STAFF!
352-629-KIDS OR 352-629-5437

AND BY THE WAY THEY ARE ALWAYS IN RATIO!!

The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County has several free resources for parents in regards to finding and evaluating quality childcare. "A Checklist for Evaluating Early Care and Education Programs" may be downloaded from our website, www.elc-marion.org, select Resources then Links then Resources.

Did you know that Marion County has a free Child Care Resource & Referral program for all families? The Coalition contracts with Childhood Development Services, (352) 629-0055, ext. 200, for this service which can provide you with specific information on more than 300 child care providers in Marion County.

Anita Winter
Early Learning Coalition of Marion County
(352) 369-2315
awinter@elc-marion.org

Kids Kampus of Cala Hills do you have a website yet?

I would love to find a good but inexpensive summer program for my 7 y.o., but I need one with long hours also. Any suggestions??

Stay away from Kid Zone. Unfriendly employees and non-smiling when they pick kids up from schools.

I'm also available to watch children in my home if you need childcare. Email me if interested by pm.

I could not email you. got a 301 error message. can you email me at digitheadgal@hotmail.com for child care. maybe we can switch off so we can both get medical care or a haircut without little ones running amok.

Not sure about Kids Kampus....have contacted them twice in the last week and a half with no response. Not a good sign.

We are new to Ocala mom and just found out we had to respond on the site. We thought we would get an email. We are open M-F, please come by and take a look at our facility. Im sorry you feel we did not get back to you, but like I said I am new to this Ocala Mom and now realized I have to check the site to respond. Please feel free to call me anytime at 352-854-ABCD.
Thank you
Denise
Kids Kampus of Cala Hills

We do not have a website as of yet, but please feel free to come by and see the center anytime M-F. You can call and speak to me anytime at 352-854-ABCD.
Thank you
Denise
Kids Kampus of Cala Hills

If anyone is looking for quality VPK or child care for their school aged child for this summer in the Dunnellon/Romeo area please let me know.

quote:

Originally posted by kidskampus:
We are new to Ocala mom and just found out we had to respond on the site. We thought we would get an email. We are open M-F, please come by and take a look at our facility. Im sorry you feel we did not get back to you, but like I said I am new to this Ocala Mom and now realized I have to check the site to respond. Please feel free to call me anytime at 352-854-ABCD.
Thank you
Denise
Kids Kampus of Cala Hills

Denise -- actually, when you post your replies, there is a box and next to it says notifications: Off. Click on the flag in the box and click notifications on and you will get e-mails notifying you of new responses.

aquamarine999:
" AND BY THE WAY
THEY ARE ALWAYS IN RATIO "

This is a joke??
Kids Zone in ratio... yeah right !!
where are the people from CDS and their regulations, when they have 33 kids in a small room ?? a room for no more than 20 kids, that is happening in almost every single room, I wonder what their capacity is !
They have too many kids, too many issues and they have been in the newspaper too many times ....... not for being the best !

Kids Zone USA
AND BY THE WAY THEY LOOSE A LOT OF THE GOOD TEACHERS BECAUSE OF THE BAD ADMINISTRATION !
GO AND CHECK THE STAFF NOW !!

http://www.ocala.com/article/20080123/NEWS/801230326&SearchID=73323276860833

http://www.ocala.com/article/20080228/NEWS/802280343&SearchID=73323276991933

http://www.ocala.com/article/20080528/NEWS/516646470&SearchID=73323277168339