23-07-2025
Waukegan Park District taking applications for daycare program; ‘We want to help give them a little edge'
Children in the Waukegan Park District's Before and After School program (BASE) get an opportunity to form friendships with youngsters who are not in the same elementary school, but may become classmates in middle school and certainly in high school.
Operated annually for children from kindergarten through fifth grade, most of the participants are students at one of the 15 Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 elementary schools. It is also open to private school children in the area.
Matriculating to one of five middle schools and one high school, BASE participants meeting now have the opportunity to see a familiar friendly face as they progress through their school years.
Julia Sanchez, a Park District recreation supervisor who helps oversee the BASE program, said 80% of this year's group are returnees from past years. Friendships are developing, adding to the strength of the effort, she said.
'Kids coming back from last year enjoy seeing each other again,' Sanchez said. 'They look forward to seeing each other. They'll say, 'Oh you're back' when they see each other here.'
The BASE program is taking applications for participants between 6 and 12 years old throughout Waukegan starting the first day of school on Aug. 11 at the Belvidere Recreation Center, providing academic and recreational activities from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., exclusive of school hours.
Jordan White, a recreation specialist involved with the program, said children can participate in the portion before school starting at 7 a.m. until the bus arrives to take them to class and/or the afternoon portion that starts after the bus returns them.
Schoolwork is an important part of the program. If the youngsters have not completed homework when they arrive in the morning, they can do it then. The first thing on the schedule after school is also homework. Help is available from the Park District staff.
'It's the first thing we do after school,' Sanchez said. 'It's quiet time until it's done. Education is a priority. We want to make sure they understand that. If they need help, one of us gives them a hand. We want to help give them a little edge.'
Education works its way into recreation time as well. Sanchez said once a month Kohl Children's Museum arrives with a different activity. It is a newer part of the program introduced in the past few years.
'They help the kids do exceptional and exciting things,' Sanchez said. 'Sometimes they do finger-painting or a craft. It's different each time. The kids are excited to see what they bring us.'
As children arrive for the before-school portion, Sanchez said they have a chance to finish their homework or partake of other activities which are on the quiet side. Since school starting times are staggered, so is the bus schedule.
Once homework is done for the children in the after-school portion of the program, there is a snack. The rest of the day is about playing games or doing an art project. If a holiday like Thanksgiving is approaching, the activity will follow that theme.
'For Thanksgiving (one year), we asked them what they are thankful for,' Sanchez said. 'Then we ask them to draw a picture about it.'
Getting from the recreation center to school and back to the center is part of a partnership between the Park District and the school district. Sanchez said the school bus gathers children at the facility in the morning at the appropriate time for their school and returns them to the recreation center afterward.
White said the cost of the program ranges from $199 to $221 per month, depending on which part is appropriate for each child. Some parents need childcare in the morning, others in the afternoon and still more all day.
Those going to school on the early shift pay $199 for the program, while those staying longer in the morning pay $215. White said youngsters returning early after school pay $221 while those coming after the last bell are charged $210.
Financial help is available to those who need it. Sanchez said it can cut the cost in half depending on circumstances. Recipients of lower fees must show some proof such as being on Medicaid, receiving food assistance or some other form of help.
