C.A.R.E. is a Park District run program, housed in District 15 schools, which offers before and after-school care for children whose parents require extended childcare.  C.A.R.E. is a financially self-supporting program and is not supported by taxes or school district funds. Enrollment is limited. This Park District program is one of many childcare options offered in the community.

The program is structured to be relaxed and recreational to counterbalance the educational activities during the school day. C.A.R.E. offers quality childcare with a variety of structured and unstructured activities including: arts, crafts, sports, active games, outdoor play, and games they can play with their peers, such as card or board games. Children are also given time to work on homework. 

C.A.R.E. is offered cooperatively between Community Consolidated School District 15 and the Palatine and Rolling Meadows Park Districts.

• The C.A.R.E. Coordinator at School District 15 hires, trains, and supervises all C.A.R.E. program staff.
• Each site has a Site Director who reports to the C.A.R.E. Coordinator. The Site Director and the C.A.R.E. staff are responsible for the daily program under the direction of the C.A.R.E. Coordinator.
• The school district houses the before- and after-school programs.
• The Park Districts process applications and payments. All registration, drops, schedule changes, refunds, and additional fees are billed through the registering Park District.
• C.A.R.E. is a self-supporting program and is not supported by school district or tax funds.

Who can participate?
The C.A.R.E. program is offered at 15 of the District’s elementary schools for children Kindergarten through 6th grade (Kindergartners are able to participate on a limited basis—see below). Children must attend the participating elementary school in order to register for the C.A.R.E. program at that school.

Kindergarten C.A.R.E.

• Children who attend a morning Kindergarten class can apply for the Extended Day Kindergarten Program. Childcare is provided offsite from the time the morning kindergarten class is dismissed until the C.A.R.E. afternoon session starts at the school (3-6 p.m.).
• Children who attend an afternoon Kindergarten class can apply for the after-school session of C.A.R.E. There is no before-school C.A.R.E. option available for children who attend an afternoon kindergarten class.
• Children who attend full-day Kindergarten (where available) can apply for any of the before- and after-school sessions.

When do I apply for 2021-22?

Information on enrollment for the 2021-22 school is coming soon. Please check back for more information.

Wait List

Due to the fact that demand typically exceeds capacity for spaces in the C.A.R.E. Program, the Palatine and Rolling Meadows Park Districts maintain an ongoing wait list for new program enrollments.