When youngsters in the Waukegan Park District’s Before and After School Experience (B.A.S.E.) program get off the bus after class in the afternoon, they get a basic greeting from their counselor. Then, they get a question.
“The … question is, ‘Do you have homework?’” said Julia Sanchez, a recreation supervisor who oversees the program.
Giving the children an opportunity to do their homework — and get help if needed — before engaging in recreational activities is a longstanding element of B.A.S.E., which is a daycare program designed for Waukegan’s working families.
The Waukegan Park District is accepting applications for B.A.S.E. on a first-come, first-served basis at the Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center, giving parents the opportunity for a daycare program operating between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Open to students in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 in kindergarten through fifth grade, the program is housed at the Belvidere Recreation Center.
Jay Lerner, the Park District’s executive director, said the extended schedule is designed to help working families with their childcare. Work schedules are often not a traditional workday.
“It gives parents with an early shift a chance to bring their children,” he said. “If a shift doesn’t end until 5:30, they can still get them. This is the flexibility we need in our community.”
Working with District 60, Sanchez said a school bus gets the children in the morning, takes them to school and brings them back to the center after class. Though class starts and ends at staggered times at different schools, all schedules are accommodated.
Students engage in a variety of activities in the morning — breakfast is provided at school — including group or board games. Sanchez said at times they also listen to video story time as a tool for reading enhancement.
“They’re still a little sleepy (early) in the morning,” she said. “We keep the morning activities light.”
When children return from school, Sanchez said homework is the priority for children who have it. There is a separate room for those with a later departure from school or need for additional time.
“We have a room if they need it,” she said. “We help them if they ask for it. It teaches them routine and discipline. It gives them family time when they get home and they don’t have to worry about homework.”
With schoolwork complete, Sanchez said there are more activities than in the morning. The youngsters play a variety of games like four corners, dodgeball or capture the flag. They also engage in different crafts or art projects.
Once a month, Sanchez said the Kohl Children’s Museum’s Mobile Learning Lab stops by. The museum personnel bring the necessary equipment. There are usually four activities.
“There might be music,” Sanchez said. “They bring drums and other instruments. It’s a special day for the kids.”
Though B.A.S.E. does not meet when there is no school in session — the Park District has other programs for the age group those days — there are special, extended activities like science experiments when District 60 has a late start or early release day.
With children leaving at different times for school and returning at a varied schedule, Sanchez said the fee structure is based on the staggered timing. The morning fee is $193 for early schedule and $210 for late. Afternoons cost $215 for early and $204 for late.
Park District scholarships are available on a need basis. Sanchez said parents must apply and provide all requested backup information. Third-party payment is also accepted from the YWCA.
Lerner said scholarships to help youngsters participate in Park District programs are part of the culture. With 30% of all programs free, money should not be a barrier to participation, he said.
