Kids' SAFARI is a before-and after-school childcare program for children in kindergarten through grade 5, offering enrichment opportunities designed to meet the changing needs of children and families. The program includes creative learning experiences designed to increase social interaction and lead children to discover friendship, independence and confidence.
Kids' SAFARI is fee-based and available at all Bloomington elementary schools. Kids' SAFARI accepts all students residing in or attending an elementary school in Bloomington.
During the school year, Kids' SAFARI provides programming for students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 5. During the summer, Kids' SAFARI provides full-day programming for students entering kindergarten through the completion of grade 5.
Kids' SAFARI is administered by Bloomington Community Education's Youth and Family Department.
Contact
kidssafari@isd271.org
952-681-6128
Kids' SAFARI is looking for activity assistants and inclusion staff. Get paid to play and join our team.
Camp SAFARI is a full day school-age child care program for youth entering kindergarten through sixth grade. The philosophy of Camp SAFARI is to lead children to discover friendship, independence and confidence through art, music, sports, drama and recreational activities. The staff and program facilitates a warm and secure environment for channeling children's energy and meeting their individual needs Camp SAFARI is located in the following buildings this year: Poplar Bridge Elementary, Westwood Elementary and Valley View Elementary. A breakfast, afternoon snack and many fun activities are included in your tuition.
Summit SAFARI is an option for our 5th and 6th graders offering new and fresh opportunities that are geared for this age. We will have leadership opportunities, community service and so much more. This program will be held at Olson Middle School.
Dates: June 9 - August 20 (closed Monday, July 5).
Times: 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fees: Starting at $41 per day for consistent schedule.
To Register: Visit bloomington.ce.eleyo.com beginning March 8 at 8 a.m. Please call 952-681-6128 with questions.
Registrations must be received by May 7, 2021. Camp SAFARI has limited space and may fill at any time.
Super SAFARI
This is an extension of Camp/Summit SAFARi to meet the needs of families needing a few more days of care after Camp/Summit SAFARI ends and before school begins. The hours of this program are 8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. and locations will be the same as the site your child attended for Camp/Summit SAFARI. Changing sites is not an option.
Dates: Monday, August 23 - Wednesday, August 25.
Times: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sites: Poplar Bridge Elementary, Westwood Elementary, Valley View Elementary and Olson Middle School.
Fee: $150 per child non-refundable payment in full due upon registration approval. No payment plans are available for this program.
To Register: Registration begins March 8 at 8 a.m. at bloomington.ce.eleyo.com. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with maximum of 75 children per site. No refunds will be given for Super SAFARI cancellations.
Please note this information is subject to change. We will update information if changes are necessary.
New! Beginning the 2021-2022 School Year, the Early Learners Academy will be called Preschool SAFARI.
Bloomington Early Learning Services preschool program is committed to preparing your child for success in kindergarten and beyond!
Preschool SAFARI is designed for families who desire an early learning education experience with a childcare component available. There will be a licensed preschool teacher giving preschool instruction for 2.5 hours during the day with a paraprofessional. There will be care available before and after this instructional time.
Families will register for the preschool time separately from the care times. The chart below has information on rates and sites.
| Normandale Hills Elementary Westwood Elementary |
Hillcrest Community School Poplar Bridge Elementary |
|
|---|---|---|
| Program | AM Preschool Safari | PM Preschool Safari |
| Ages | Mixed age: 3- and 4-year-old | Mixed age: 3- and 4-year-old |
| Days | Monday - Friday | Monday - Friday |
| Class Times | AM 9:05 - 11:35 a.m. | PM 12:45 -3:15 p.m. |
| mTuition Cost | Sliding fee scale | Sliding fee scale |
| Before Care Hours | 6:30 - 9:05 a.m. | 6:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. |
| Before Care Fees | $15/day | $25/day |
| After Care Hours | 11:35 a.m. - 6 p.m. | 3:15 - 6 p.m. |
| After Care Fees | $25/day | $15/day |
Contact
952-681-6128
Registration for the 2021-22 school year will open March 8. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.
Once on the registration site, follow these steps:
- Select Explore All Programs.
- Select Preschool SAFARI on the left side in blue.
- Select Registration (middle, in blue)
- Select Create Account.
- Once Preschool SAFARI registration is complete, you can select Explore All, then Preschool SAFARI Care to select the before and/or after care.