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.