Looking for a safe, fun, and enriching place to sen​​d your children after school? If so, the After School Program is the place for you! See program offerings below.

The waiting list for the 2024/25 school year is now open! CLICK HERE FOR TO ADD TO THE WAITING LIST.

2024/2025 School Year

Nature Center After School Program

This outdoor based program runs on the Chico Unified schedule and provides outdoor recreation including swimming in Big Chico Creek (weather permitting). In addition to freeplay, science, craft and games, children have the opportunity to go on nature walks, build tree forts, attend live animal presentations and grow connections with their peers and nature. 

• Location: Chico Creek Nature Center  (1968 E 8th St.)
  • For Parkview students, CARD staff will pick up children from Parkview. Transportation from schools other than Parkview is not provided.
• Grades: TK-1st Grades 
• Times: The program runs on Chico Unified elementary school days from 2:30 to 6:00pm. Parkview children will be picked up at the time Parkview releases. 
• Fees: The fee for the 2024/25 school year is $3,412.50. Billing is on a month to month basis and monthly fees vary based on the number of program days. (Monthly fee is calculated at $19.50 per day.)
• Attendance: There are no attendance requirements. Your child may attend days/hours as needed. CARD does not pro-rate for days unattended.
• 2024/25 Registration: Families who were enrolled in the program for the 2023/24 school year have priority to reenroll in May. We will start enrolling new families from the waiting list in June for the open spots.
• Program Details: For program details, click here to view the Parent Handbook. Children must be able to use the restroom independently to participate in the program.

BLAST After School Programs 

BLAST is the name of the after school program located on the Chico Unified elementary school campuses. The programs are offered on school days from the time children are released from school until 6:00pm. 

Locations with CARD Enrollment:  Emma Wilson, Hooker Oak, Little Chico Creek, Marigold, Neal Dow, Parkview, Rosedale, Shasta, Sierra View

Program Structure for BLAST After School Programs

• Students will be grouped based on their age and will stay with their assigned groups for the majority of the program time. Children will have the opportunity to interact with children outside of their assigned groups during Free Choice each day.
• Sample daily schedule   
  • 2:20 - 2:45- Sign in and Snack (snack provided by Chico Unified)
  • 2:45 - 3:15- Reading Time
  • 3:15 - 4:00- Recreation (structured outside activity)
  • 4:00 - 4:30- Academic Time (homework)
  • 4:30 - 4:45- Assembly 
  • 4:45 - 5:20- Enrichment Activities (structured disguised learning activities such as crafts, science, cooking, music, creative writing)
  • 5:20 - 6:00- Free Choice 

Chico Unified is the main administrator of the BLAST after school program and works collaboratively with CARD to provide after school care. The majority of the children are enrolled through Chico Unified at no cost and CARD provides limited fee based spots. The enrollment options will not affect your child’s experience in the program, but will differ in registration process, fees, and attendance requirements. The enrollment options are as follows.

1. CARD (monthly fee, no attendance requirements)
2. Chico Unified (no cost, attendance requirements)

Information about each option:

1. CARD Enrollment 
   • Registration: Families who were enrolled in the program for the 2023/24 school year have priority to reenroll in May. We will start enrolling new families from the waiting list in June for the open spots. 
   • Fees: The fee for the 2024/25 school year is $2,625. Billing is on a month to month basis and monthly fees vary based on the number of program days. (Monthly fee is calculated at $15 per day.)
   • Grades: 1-5th grades (all kinder enrollment is through Chico Unified)
   • Attendance: As a CARD enrolled family, there are no attendance requirements. Your child may attend days/hours as needed.
   • Program Details: For program details, click here to view the Parent Handbook. Children must be able to use the restroom independently to participate in the program.
2. Chico Unified Enrollment 
   • Registration:  Visit the Chico Unified website for registration information.  https://www.chicousd.org/Programs/Before--After-School-Programs/Apply-To-BLAST
   • Fee: No cost to families. 
   • Grades: TK-5th grades (TK/Kinder is a separate program from the 1-5th program)
     • TK/Kinder: Enrollment for the TK/Kinder programs at these schools is 100% through Chico Unified. There are no CARD spots available for TK/Kinder on these school campuses. 
   • Attendance: Children are required to attend every day (with the exception of illness, medical appointments, or one extracurricular activity per week) for a minimum of 2 hours.

Enrollment for the After School Programs at Citrus, Chapman, and McManus is 100% through Chico Unified. To be added to the Chico Unified waiting list, click here: https://www.chicousd.org/Programs/Before--After-School-Programs/Apply-To-BLAST)

Future Years

If you need care in future years, the waiting list will open on April 1st each year for the following school year. If you are not offered a spot in the program and would like to stay on for future years, you will need to re-add to the waiting list each year.

Parent Testimonials

"We have been so pleased with the after school program! Our child always says what a fun time he has! The teachers have all been kind, caring and consistent with their teaching and guidance."

"My child always looks forward to the CARD After School Program and is even disappointed to leave when I come pick her up. The staff is always engaged with kids and appears to truly enjoy their work. I am grateful for this program and all of the activities for the kids, especially homework help. Thanks also for the very reasonable price!"

"I just wanted to express my gratitude for a wonderful start to the school year.  The CARD staff are excellent!  My children love coming every day.  My youngest child just started this year and the staff made her feel comfortable immediately.  I couldn't ask for more for my children.  Every time I pick up they are always engrossed in activities with their friends and the leaders.  And we always look forward to the Kids Clubs on Fridays.  Thank you to everyone's hard work that goes into this excellent program!"

"CARD has helped my son improve his social skills, build his team work skills and participate in things he has never done. The leaders are fun, engaging and responsible. Thank you!"

"Thank you for providing such a great program. We really love that the kids must do homework. This really helps the parents out. We really like that common rules and respect for the staff is enforced. We also like the many activities that our children have to participate in. Thanks again." 

"My child always looks forward to the CARD After School Program and is even disappointed to leave when I come pick her up. The staff is always engaged with kids and appears to truly enjoy their work. I am grateful for this program and all of the activities for the kids, especially homework help. Thanks also for the very reasonable price!"

“The CARD after school program has exceeded my expectations for after school childcare. It is affordable, safe care that my children love! That is a win for our whole family. We appreciate all that CARD offers and will use your programs for years to come!”