After School Care
After School Care Programs
After school care plays a crucial role in supporting both the emotional and developmental needs of children. The hours immediately after school can be a vulnerable time for kids, as they are often left unsupervised while parents or guardians may still be at work. This window of time, typically between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., can lead to increased risk of engaging in unsafe or undesirable activities.
Providing structured and positive after-school programs, the CRA offers a vital support to our community. These programs are designed not only to provide supervision but to give our youth opportunities for personal growth, learning, and social development. Offering after-school care can also be a critical support for working families, helping parents balance their professional responsibilities with their desire to be present in their children’s lives.
Our After School Care programs aim to give kids positive alternatives to idle time, helping them stay engaged, active, and socially connected. Some of our most popular after school care programs are:
- Kids Club After Care Grades K-5
- Kids Club Before Care Grades K-5
- DYC Drop In Grades 3-8
- Tutoring all ages
- Mini Camp Grades K-5
The CRA is committed to ensuring that no one is turned away due to financial constraints. With this in mind, we offer scholarships to individuals, couples, and families who may otherwise find it difficult to afford the cost of our programs and/or memberships.
Kids Club
Kids Club is specifically designed for children in grades K-5 who attend one of the three elementary schools within the Central Berkshire Regional School District. As the program runs at each school, we follow the CBRSD school calendar and are not open during school vacation, snow days, early dismissal, etc.
After School
Kids Club After School childcare program offers support, care, and fun for children when the school day ends. Located inside Craneville, Kittredge, and Becket Washington Elementary schools, students (grades K-5) have the opportunity to socialize and interact with others, participate in activities, have a snack, and burn off excess energy right after school.
Monday – Friday, 2:55 – 5:30 pm
Before School
Kids Club Before School childcare program offers support, care, and fun for children at the start of the school day. This program is ONLY available at Craneville Elementary School. Students can enter the school early and have time to get settled, socialize, interact with each other, and participate in activities.
Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 8:25 am
Kids Club Sites
Craneville Elementary School
71 Park Ave, Dalton, MA:
Get Directions
Drop-off & Pickup
- Kids Club Before Care drop off in front of the school.
- Kids Club After Care pick up in the cafeteria.
Kittredge Elementary School
80 Maple St, Hinsdale, MA:
Get Directions
Kids Club After Care pick up in the library.
Becket Washington School
12 Maple St, Becket, MA:
Get Directions
Kids Club After Care pick up in the community room.
Register for Kids Club
New to Kids Club?
All students must have an active General Junior membership before they can register for Kids Club. To get started, follow the link to our membership catalog and create your account. Once purchased, the Kids Club Catalog will become available to you.
Contact support@daltoncra.org with questions.
Returning to Kids Club?
For students returning to the program, log in to your account to renew your membership and register for the upcoming school year!
FAQ
Your child will regularly come to Kids Club every week on the same days. We ask for a minimum of three days per week.
By signing up, your child is GUARANTEED a slot in the program for the same days all school year! Because this slot is guaranteed, you are responsible to pay for that slot whether your child attends or not.
No. Kids Club is NOT open for snow days, school vacation, early dismissal, etc. These breaks and closures are factored into our monthly payment plans. If you have questions regarding fees or payment process, contact us today.
Registration opens in May. Please note that space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
When a delay is called by CBRSD, Kids Club Before Care at Craneville Elementary School will also be delayed and will open one hour before school begins.
When CBRSD closes, Kids Club Before and After Care at all Elementary Schools will also be closed.
When CBRSD is closed due to snow, school vacation weeks, or in-service days, the CRA offers Mini Camps at the Youth Center (DYC), providing a fun and engaging way for kids to stay active during breaks.
In the case of no after school activities, the Kids Club will remain open unless there is a State of Emergency or the elementary school is not available. In these cases, the CRA staff will contact each family through email, text, and voice calls to inform you of a closure.
Kids Club After Care at Craneville and Kittredge is a monthly fee based on the number of days a week a child attends.
- 3 Days a Week $194/month
- 4 Days a Week $252/month
- 5 Days a Week $277/month
With the help of the Becket Athenaeum the Becket Washington After School Program receives grant funding to help subsidize the cost of the program to families. The monthly fee is based on the number of days a week a child attends.
- 3 Days a Week $60/month
- 4 Days a Week $80/month
- 5 Days a Week $101/month
Kids Club Before Care at Craneville is a monthly fee based on the number of days a week a child attends.
- 3 Days a Week $115/month
- 4 Days a Week $147/month
- 5 Days a Week $144/month
DYC Programs
The Dalton Youth Center (DYC), built in 1908, has always been the place for youth and teens to come together to socialize in Central Berkshire County. Today, the building offers a wide variety of programs, from tutoring, camps, basketball, indoor leagues, Drop-In, Friday Nights, Saturday Social, and more.
Drop-In Program
The Drop-In Program held at the Dalton Youth Center (DYC) provides a safe, unstructured space for children in grades 3-8 to hang out after school. Children can enjoy pool tables, board games, and the gymnasium, as well as plenty of comfortable areas to relax. Supervision is provided to ensure safety, and a variety of snacks are available for purchase.
Monday – Friday, 2:30 – 5:30 pm
A CRA General Junior Membership is required.
Mini Camps
No school? No Problem! The CRA offers Mini Camps during school vacations, in-service days, and snow days at the DYC, providing a fun and engaging way for kids to stay active during breaks. Learn more about our Youth Camps.
Tutoring
The CRA provides free one-on-one tutoring at the DYC for students as young as 3rd grade. Students are paired with an adult or high school student who excels in the area of difficulty and, if possible, shares similar interests. Each student and tutor sets up a time to meet regularly at the DYC. If interested in participating in the tutoring program, contact the CRA today!
Join The CRA
As a member of the CRA, you will quickly become part of our community (but only if you want to!) and gain access to an incredible range of benefits, including exercise classes, fitness center, pool and discounts on specialty classes.
Join us today and become part of a supportive, active community focused on achieving your fitness goals and creating a healthier future for all.
Memberships vary in length and cost based on the amenities included. Some specialty classes and programs will require an additional cost.
