Before and After School Program
C.A.R.E. is a before- and after-school program operated by the Palatine Park District for families with children enrolled at Community Consolidated School District 15 elementary schools in Palatine.
The program is offered at ten CCSD15 elementary locations. Children must be registered at the same school where they attend C.A.R.E.; we cannot accept transfers to a different C.A.R.E. site if the child attends school elsewhere in the district.
Participants enjoy a variety of structured and unstructured activities, including arts and crafts, hands-on projects, board and card games, outdoor play, and gym time. Children may bring a snack from home, and a quiet area is available for those who wish to work on homework.
Program Operation
Before-School C.A.R.E.
- HOURS: From 7:00 a.m. until the start of school.
- DATES: August 19, 2026 – May 28, 2027
After-School C.A.R.E.
- HOURS: From school dismissal until 6:00 p.m.
- DATES: August 20, 2026 – May 27, 2027
PLEASE NOTE: There is no after-school C.A.R.E. on the first and last day of school because they are half days.
Our C.A.R.E. Sites:
Each C.A.R.E. site has its own phone number and email. Parents should program the site’s phone number into their mobile devices to ensure calls are answered promptly.
- Gray M. Sanborn
- Hunting Ridge
- Jane Addams
- Lake Louise
- Lincoln School
- Marion Jordan
- Pleasant Hill
- Stuart R. Paddock
- Virginia Lake
- Winston Campus
Gray M. Sanborn
Gray M. Sanborn Questions?
Gray M. Sanborn C.A.R.E. Site
Send An EmailHunting Ridge
Hunting Ridge Questions?
Hunting Ridge C.A.R.E. Site
Jane Addams
Jane Addams Questions?
Jane Addams C.A.R.E. Site
Lake Louise
Lake Louise Questions?
Lake Louise C.A.R.E. Site
Lincoln School
Lincoln School Questions?
Lincoln School C.A.R.E. Site
Marion Jordan
Marion Jordan Questions?
Marion Jordan C.A.R.E. Site
Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill Questions?
Pleasant Hill C.A.R.E. Site
Stuart R. Paddock
Stuart R. Paddock Questions?
Stuart R. Paddock C.A.R.E. Site
Virginia Lake
Virginia Lake Questions?
Virginia Lake C.A.R.E. Site
Winston Campus
Winston Campus Questions?
Winston Campus C.A.R.E. Site
Important C.A.R.E. Information to Know!
Registration Information & Options
- 2026-2027 School Year Registration Dates
- Priority Pre-Registration (April 6-17)
- Open Enrollment (Begins May 4)
- Please note: Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Registration Closed (August 1 – August 31):
- No applications processed during this time; resumes September 1 for remaining spots.
- Additional Registration Information:
- All new registrations at locations that have reached maximum enrollment will be added to a waitlist in the order they are received.
- Each school has a different program enrollment maximum based on the space available at that location.
- Because both full‑time and part‑time schedules fill those limited spots, our staff manually places children by registration date and time until the maximum enrollment for that time slot is reached.
- We regularly assess openings at each C.A.R.E. site and will inform families on the waitlist if a spot becomes available.
- A $65 non-refundable, non-transferable processing fee is due at the time of registration.
- Families will not be charged the registration fee until they are offered and accept a spot in the program.
- Automatic billing is required for C.A.R.E. accounts.
- Payments will be withdrawn from your credit or debit card account on the 1st of each month, August through May.
- A discount is available for two or more children enrolled in the C.A.R.E program. The additional child(ren)’s fee is reduced by approximately 10%.
- Discounts are applied to the lowest priced options.
- Registration cancellation requests received by July 25, 2026 will receive a full refund, minus the $65 registration fee.
- Registration Options (Part-time VS Full-time):
- Part-time participants may attend up to three days per week. Full-time participants may attend up to five day per week. All days must be selected in advance.
- Part-Time Option Additional day Add-On fee:
- You will be billed the Additional Day Fee by the Park District.
- Adding an Additional Day or Before or After School Session:
- If you need to occasionally add a morning or afternoon (outside of your child’s regular schedule), please coordinate directly with your C.A.R.E. Site Director.
- Booking: Requests for extra days must be approved in advance and are subject to space availability.
- Transfers:
- Transfers between C.A.R.E. locations are not permitted if the child attends school at a different location in the district during the day.
- Registration Transfer:
- If your child is registered with the Palatine Park District C.A.R.E. program and transfers to another school within Palatine, your C.A.R.E. registration can be moved to the corresponding site.
- If your child transfers to a school outside of Palatine, you will need to withdraw from the program and register with either the Rolling Meadows Park District or the Hoffman Estates Park District, depending on the school’s location.
- Where to Register:
- In-person at one of our facilities:
- Online:
Requirements
- Eligibility:
- Eligibility is restricted to children who attend the same school as the C.A.R.E. location they are applying to.
- After-School C.A.R.E. Photo ID Requirements
- Required Identification:
- A photo ID is required at every pick-up, including for parents/guardians. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or a clear photo of the ID on a mobile device.
- Notification to Emergency Contacts & Person’s Authorized to Pick-Up:
- Please make sure everyone picking up, including parents/guardians, always brings a photo ID with them.
- Required Identification:
- Toileting Requirements:
- Children must be fully toilet-trained and independent in the bathroom.
- Diapers, pull-ups, and staff assistance with toileting or dressing are not permitted.
School Days Off
School Non-Attendance Days | Half Days
- School Non-Attendance Days:
- A school day-off program is offered for an additional fee on most school non-attendance days.
- Half Days of School:
- After-School C.A.R.E. is not available on early dismissal (half) days at school sites. These days are not included in annual tuition due to staff development requirements.
- Parent Calendar:
- Refer to the C.A.R.E. Parent Calendar for the days when school and C.A.R.E. are closed.
Absences
Mandatory Absence Reporting:
- Afternoon Absence:
- Parents must notify the C.A.R.E. Site Director if their child will be absent from the afternoon session. School attendance records are not shared with C.A.R.E.
- How to Report:
- Call, text, or email your C.A.R.E. site.
- Deadline:
- Notice must be provided no later than 30 minutes before the school day ends.
- Failure to Report Fee:
- $10 fee is charged for the first incident; each subsequent occurrence increases by $5.
- Morning Absences:
- No notification needed for Before-School C.A.R.E.
Schedule Changes & Withdrawals
Schedule Change Process & Deadlines:
- Schedule Change Request Deadline:
- Schedule Change Forms are due by the 25th of the month for changes to begin the following month.
- Part-Time Option Day Changes:
- Families enrolled in part-time options must select up to three attendance days; adjustments must also be submitted by the 25th.
- Change Subject to Availability:
- Schedule changes depend on space availability.
- Fee adjustments:
- Fee adjustments appear in the next billing cycle.
- Schedule Change Form:
- The schedule change form can be found at any of the Park District registration desks at:
- Or online here:
Forms and Parent Handbooks
Medication & ADA
- Medication:
- If a child has an EPI pen, inhaler or other medication that must be administered during C.A.R.E. hours, parents must supply C.A.R.E. with their own supply of medication.
- C.A.R.E. staff do not have access to the nurse’s office before or after school hours.
- ADA Accommodations:
- Special accommodations may be available if your child receives special services at school.
- Please let us know if you feel that your child may benefit from an aide, or an accommodation, to help him/her succeed in the C.A.R.E. setting.
Payment Information
Tuition Structure & Billing Cycle:
- Days Paid For:
- C.A.R.E. Program tuition is based on:
- Before-School C.A.R.E.: 174 before-school attendance days
- After-School C.A.R.E.: 171after-school attendance days.
- Half Days: After-school C.A.R.E. on half days is not included in annual tuition.
- C.A.R.E. Program tuition is based on:
- Installments:
- Annual tuition is divided into ten equal monthly installments, regardless of the number of program days in the month it is billed.
- The monthly installment is determined by the schedule selected during registration.
EFT Requirements & Payment Schedule:
- Payment Method:
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is required for all families.
- Payment Dates:
- Payments are automatically withdrawn on the 1st of each month, August through May.
Refund Policy
Refunds:
- Fee Adjustments:
- Dropping a before- or after-school option will not affect the monthly fee for the month in which the change is submitted.
- Please note: Billing adjustments begin the following month.
- No Prorating:
- C.A.R.E. fees cover direct operating costs such as staffing, facility use, and supplies. Fees are not prorated for missed days.
- Suspensions:
- No refunds are issued for days missed due to suspension from the program unless a student is placed on a pause exceeding 3 days.
- Refund Method:
- Refund to Account:
- Approved refunds will be issued as a household credit, unless another method is requested.
- Refund to Original Form of Payment:
- A $5 fee applies to refunds issued back to the original method of payment.
- Refund to Account:
ePACT
- What is ePACT?
- ePACT is a secure online system designed to help Palatine Park District support you and your family in any type of crisis.
- ePACT is a tool used by organizations like Palatine Park District and families to securely collect reliable and up-to-date information for all its members that can be accessed easily in cases of emergencies, big or small.
- This ensures better preparedness for all families enrolled in our C.A.R.E. Before and After School Program
- Important!
- Please note that anyone attending C.A.R.E. must have their child’s ePACT information submitted by the first day of camp or they will not be able to attend until it’s completed.
- Why are we using ePACT?
- To save you time and energy.
- No more long paper documentation for emergency information.
- With ePACT, you only need to complete your child’s information once, and then verify that it is still correct for additional programs or subsequent years.
- If you need to update information quickly, just log in, update it, and we’ll be notified immediately.
- Reduction of paper waste
- Using electronic forms mean less paper printed and photocopies between all of our C.A.R.E. sites.
- Families can always see what data the organization has by simply logging into ePACT.
- Better privacy and security
- ePACT’s high encryption levels and commitment to security mean your data on ePACT is safe and secure. Digital access over paper forms allows you to track and update easily and securely.
- How does it work?
- ePACT on behalf of Palatine Park District will send you a request for each child participating in C.A.R.E.
- Please fill out the information for each child who is registered.
- Click Complete Request to create a free account, or log-in if you already have an existing ePACT account. The email used is the email you registered with.
- If you have previously completed an ePACT form for your child for any other Palatine Park District program, you may get an email with the subject line Confirm Emergency Information for (child name).
- This information needs to be confirmed every year for each child for each program.
- Enter the required information, like medical conditions, and share it with your organization so that program staff have access.
- You can upload additional documents including Medication Administration forms, IEP information, or custody orders into ePACT.
- To save you time and energy.
ePACT Questions?
ePACT’s Customer Success Team
Waitlist Information
It is our goal to accommodate as many families as possible.
The Park District reserves the right to manage enrollment based on availability of space, staff and enrollment in order to maintain the safety, structure and integrity of the program as a whole. This may result in the C.A.R.E. Program not being able to accommodate your childcare needs. Due to the fact that demand typically exceeds capacity for spaces in the C.A.R.E. Program, the Palatine Park District maintains an ongoing wait list for new program enrollments. In situations where capacity is limited and expansion of space is unavailable, the Park District will maintain a waitlist throughout the schoolyear.
We regularly assess openings available at each C.A.R.E. site and use the wait list to inform families when availability exists. The length of the waiting list time is different for each C.A.R.E. site. The waiting list is always undergoing change as families’ job situations change or changes in schedules are made. It is very difficult to predict when a space might become available for you as there are many factors, which are used to offer spaces. Children are placed numerically on the waiting list based on the date and time that the waiting list application is received. Exceptions that could affect the order in which admissions are offered are: A child protection/welfare agency requests placement for a child; Siblings of children currently registered in the C.A.R.E. Program; Children transferring from other C.A.R.E. sites.
Please remember that being on the wait list does not guarantee childcare on the date you request it. If we cannot meet your needs for childcare, your child’s name will remain on our wait list until a spot is available. It is strongly recommended that you enroll your child in alternate childcare in the community, as spots may not become available during the school year.
Parents are notified by the Park District when a space becomes available for their child. Parents are given 48 hours to notify us of their decision to either accept or decline the enrollment. If the opening is declined or the family does not respond within 48 hours, the process will continue until the opening is filled.
If parents fail to contact us within the 48-hour period, the assumption is made that the family is no longer interested in our program and the child’s name will be removed from the wait list. Because of this, it is very important to keep us up to date with household contact information (e.g. email, address and phone numbers).
For specific questions regarding the wait list, please contact the Park District registrar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the child to staff ratio?
- C.A.R.E. staffs at a ratio of 1 staff member to 10 or less children.
When does C.A.R.E. operate?
- The program is offered to students throughout the school year on days when school is in session. After-School C.A.R.E. is not offered on half days of school. The program operates Monday through Friday, and is open from 7 a.m. until the start of school and after school until 6 p.m. C.A.R.E. is not open on days when school is closed.
Is there a bus to take children to and from C.A.R.E.?
- No. Parents are responsible for the transportation of their children to and from their C.A.R.E. site.
Is there a discount if I have more than one child in C.A.R.E.?
- A discount is available for two or more children enrolled in the C.A.R.E program. The additional child(ren)’s fee is reduced by approximately 10%. Discounts are applied to the lowest priced options.
What if my child requires medication while they are at C.A.R.E.?
- Parents must fill out the Medication Authorization Form. Forms are available at the C.A.R.E. site, and at the Palatine Park District. These forms allow our staff to administer the medication during C.A.R.E. hours.
Is homework assistance available?
- Because of the number of children who require assistance during homework time, the staff members are unable to check each child’s homework for accuracy or provide the type of one-on-one homework help that is available from a private tutor.
What are my chances of getting into the program if I end up on a wait list?
- If your child is placed on a wait list for C.A.R.E., the Park District will contact you if a spot becomes available due to another family withdrawing from the program at your child’s school site. Because openings are not guaranteed and may not occur during the school year, it is strongly recommended that you secure alternate childcare options within the community.
Do I get reimbursed for snow days?
- If the school district uses snow days that will be made up at the end of the year, parents will not get reimbursed as that day will be made up at the end of the school year. If the school district uses an e-learning day, a credit for the missed CARE day will be applied to the next scheduled C.A.R.E. payment.
Are any meals provided?
- No. Due to food allergies, children must bring snacks from home to eat at the program.
Are there scholarships available for the C.A.R.E. Program?
- No. The Park District does not currently offer scholarships for the C.A.R.E. Program.
Does the Park District accept IDHS CCAP payments from the Action for Children Program?
- No. At this time, the Park District does not accept payments from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Child Care Assistance Program.