Finding reliable and engaging After School Care Programs In Durham, NC, is crucial for working parents. Durham Public Schools (DPS) offers a fantastic array of elementary afterschool programs designed to provide a safe, enriching, and fun environment for your child after the school day ends. To ensure equitable access for all families, DPS utilizes a lottery system for its popular elementary programs. Here’s everything you need to know about navigating the afterschool lottery and securing a spot for your child for the 2025-2026 school year.
Understanding the DPS Elementary Afterschool Program Lottery
Similar to the application process for Magnet and CTE programs, the Durham Public Schools afterschool lottery is designed to fairly distribute spaces in high-demand elementary afterschool programs. For the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, if you are interested in enrolling your elementary school student in an afterschool program, participation in the lottery is essential.
Mark your calendars! The lottery application window will be open from March 10, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. and will close on April 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. It’s important to apply within this timeframe to be considered for a spot.
Image: Elementary school children happily engaged in activities at an after school care program, highlighting the fun and engaging environment.
When applying, families should select the school their child will be attending in the 2025-26 academic year. This ensures that your application is directed to the correct afterschool program. For detailed information about the lottery process, Durham Public Schools has provided a comprehensive FAQ document.
FAQ – DPS Before and Afterschool Lottery Process
Applying for the elementary afterschool lottery is conveniently done through your existing Schoolmint account. If you already have an account for other DPS programs, you can use the same credentials. Please note that lottery participation is specifically for elementary afterschool programs. Before-school programs and middle school programs do not require lottery participation.
Key Dates for 2025-2026 Community Education Programs
To help you stay organized, here is a timeline of important dates for Community Education programs registration in Durham Public Schools:
| DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|
| February 17 | Camp Funtastic Registration opens |
| March 3 – March 7 | DPS Employee Early Registration window |
| March 10 – April 11 | Afterschool Lottery Application window |
| May 2 | Lottery results emailed to families |
| May 5 – May 16 | Registration for accepted lottery seats window |
| June 6 | General registration opens for any remaining seats |
Remember these dates to ensure you don’t miss any crucial deadlines for securing after school care for your child.
Registration and Enrollment Details
Once you have received notification of your lottery results and have been offered a seat, completing the registration process is the next step. For traditional school year students, the registration deadline to start on the first day of school, August 25, 2025, is Friday, August 8, 2025, provided space is available. For year-round students aiming to start on their first day, July 21, 2025, the registration deadline is Wednesday, July 9, 2025, also subject to space availability.
To officially register your child in a DPS afterschool program, you will need to pay a $35 registration fee plus one monthly fee (covering a 20-day cycle). Following registration and payment, you will receive a confirmation email if space is available. If the program is full, your child will be placed on a waitlist.
Here’s a quick guide to registration deadlines and start dates during the school year:
| Registration Deadline: | Start Date: |
|---|---|
| Monday, August 11 | Monday, August 25 (First Day of School) |
| August 12-15 | Tuesday, August 26 |
| August 18-22 | Wednesday, August 27 |
| August 25-29 | Friday, August 29 |
| September 3 | Friday, September 5 (Start of two-day wait) |
Generally, your child can start attending the program two business days after registration. For example, registering before 5 pm on Monday means your child can start on Wednesday. Registrations after 5 pm begin the two-day waiting period from the next business day. Keep in mind that in some cases, start dates may be slightly longer due to staffing, individual child needs, or school holidays. You will be contacted if an alternative start date is necessary.
Why Choose Durham Public Schools After School Programs?
Durham Public Schools boasts over 35 years of experience in providing high-quality expanded learning opportunities for elementary students. Their programs are designed to support academic achievement through a balanced approach that includes homework time, enrichment activities, and recreational fun.
DPS Before- and After-school programs are committed to quality:
- Licensed and Evaluated: Programs are licensed and regularly evaluated by the North Carolina Division of Child Development.
- High Star Ratings: An impressive 95 percent of DPS programs have achieved 5-star ratings, indicating exceptional quality.
- Convenient Hours: Before-school programs start at 6:30 a.m. until the school bell, and elementary afterschool programs run from school dismissal until 6:00 p.m.
- Early Release Days Included: Afterschool programs operate on early release days at no extra cost.
- Affordable Monthly Payments: Monthly fees cover 20 days of care, with no charges for days when school is closed.
- Full-Time Enrollment: Programs offer full-time enrollment to provide consistent care for your child.
- In-Person Days: Elementary programs operate on in-person instructional school days.
Financial Assistance and Support
Durham Public Schools is committed to making afterschool care accessible. Financial assistance is available through DPS. You can call 919-560-9488 for more information. Additionally, elementary programs are eligible for Department of Social Services childcare vouchers. Contact 919-560-8300 or visit the provided link for more details and to access the financial assistance form.
Financial Assistance Form
Annual registration is required for these programs. For more information on billing cycles and financial assistance, please visit the DPS Before and After-school Forms page.
DPS Before and After-school Forms
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call Durham Public Schools at 919-560-9488. Choosing Durham Public Schools Before- and After-school Programs means choosing quality care and enriching experiences for your elementary school child.
