The following resources are available to help you locate quality childcare, after-school care, and summer programs:
After-school and summer camps
Administration for Children and Families
This site links to a wealth of resources, including childcare information, Head Start programs, and government-sponsored after-school programs.
Boys and Girls Clubs of America
There are over 3,000 Boys and Girls Clubs across the U.S., serving more than 3.3 million youngsters. Clubs sponsor after-school programs and summer camps that focus on teaching children how to make a difference in the community. Special programs are available for teens.
YMCA
The YMCA offers after-school programs that foster positive values, as well as summer-camp programs that offer a variety of camp experiences, including traditional camp, wilderness camp, and travel camp. Check the YMCA locator on the site to find the "Y" in your area.
Summer-Daycamps.com and Daycamps.net
These sites provide listings of day camps for kids and teens throughout the U.S. Camp listings are organized by telephone area code, as well as by major city. Also provided are links to other summer camp directories.
Day care/baby-sitters
Find Care Now
The articles on this site offer guidance in choosing the best childcare. Also provided are links to resources for childcare centers, nannies, and au pairs.
Sittercity.com
Connect here to college students who are available for babysitting. The downside? This service only lists select cities.
Childcare.gov
This site provides a list of programs accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), including federally sponsored daycare centers and Head Start programs.
Summer enrichment programs
Summer enrichment programs help prepare high school students for college level courses. Many focus on medicine and health professions, engineering, and science- and math-based careers. Some programs are residential (teens stay on campus). Scholarships may be available from the individual institutions.
