Welcome to Kid's Stop

 The school age care portion of the program is open to all families with children currently registered in and attending the Marple Newtown School District’s elementary schools in kindergarten through fifth grade. THE KID’S STOP offers a school year program that runs from the start of school in September through the last regularly scheduled school day in June. School year hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  A separate summer session is also offered. Designed to meet the child care needs of working parents, THE KID’S STOP Program is centrally located at the Gauntlett Community Center in Newtown Square and is professionally staffed by school age and early childhood specialists. THE KID’S STOP offers an extended day kindergarten wrap around session for those families with children participating in the school district’s half day kindergarten program. Designed to compliment your kindergarten child’s academic day, there are two extended day wrap around sessions offered daily: 

9:00 am -12:00 pm for students attending afternoon Kindergarten 

12:30 pm - 3:30 pm for students attending morning Kindergarten 

Before and After School Care is also available for the kindergarten and elementary age students during the hours of 7:30am to 9:00am and 3:30pm to 5:00pm 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW 

While at THE KID’S STOP, the school age child’s focus shifts from academics and achievement to recreation and socialization. Our approach to activities and scheduling takes into account the realities of the child’s daily home and school routine and allows plenty of time to relax and move through the center at a comfortable pace. The environment is nurturing, respectful, supportive and responsive to a school age child’s needs. Our goal is to provide the children with age appropriate activities that promote their physical, mental, social and emotional well being and make every effort to support and enhance self-esteem, self-control, and decision-making skills. There is a balance between student and staff initiated activities, free play opportunities, organized events, individual and group activities, and quiet and active experiences. Directed programming includes enrichment activities, arts & crafts, opportunities for community service, recreational programming and special events. 

All registrations are taken on a space availability basis. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare licenses THE KID’S STOP as a child care facility. Paperwork in the registration packet is required by DPW to be completed and up-to-date prior to the child’s first day of attendance in the SAC Program and must be renewed each school year and summer session.

THE KID’S STOP offers a Preschool session with limited enrollment for 3 - 5 year olds. This class is designed to prepare your young child for kindergarten. In the JUNIOR KID’S STOP, session, the children experience a traditional early childhood curriculum where the emphasis is on developing and refining the readiness skills necessary for kindergarten success. A balance of recreational and creative opportunities rounds out the day. 

The JUNIOR KID’S STOP Preschool Session follows the same calendar as the school age program and also offers a summer session. Full and part time schedules are available with a three day per week minimum. The JUNIOR KID’S STOP early childhood program also offers a Toddler Session for children ages 24 months through 3 years, with limited enrollment. Our Toddler Class provides loving, individual care in a nurturing atmosphere. Limited space is available and some restrictions apply. The Toddler Program is offered Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.