K-5 Before and After School Childcare: Kids' SAFARI
Kids' SAFARI encompasses before-and after-school programs for children in kindergarten through grade 5. The focus of these programs is on school-age childcare and enrichment opportunities designed to meet the changing needs of children and families. This is accomplished through creative learning experiences designed to increase social interaction. Our programs are fee-based and administered by the Bloomington Community Education Youth and Family Department. Kids' SAFARI is available at all Bloomington elementary schools.
Philosophy
Our purpose is to lead children to discover friendship, independence and confidence through a variety of activities and experiences. Children are led to discover their talents and interests and to take pride in their accomplishments. The staff and program facilitates a warm and secure environment. The role of Kids' SAFARI, in cooperation with home and school, is to support the development of the whole child.
Eligibility
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.
Contact
kidssafari@isd271.org
952-681-6128
New Families
Click the Registration button below for 2019-2020 school year registration requests. Once on the registration site, select "Explore All Programs" (upper right corner), select Kids' SAFARI (far left, dark blue box), select "Registration" (middle blue box), sign in by selecting "Create Account" (Please use a frequently checked email address and create a password you will need to remember). The system will walk you through the remaining steps to set up your account.
Current Families
Manage your account online: Make payments, print receipts and more.
All checks must be made payable to ISD #271
Registration fee (non-refundable):
- New student - $40.00
- Returning student - $30.00
- Family Maximum - $70.00
Daily Fees: All rates are per day per child.
Before School
| Consistent Schedule | Pick Your Days | Drop-in | |
| Hillcrest | $12.50 | $13.50 | $14.50 |
| All other schools | $12.00 | $13.00 | $14.00 |
After School
| Consistent Schedule | Pick Your Days | Drop-in | |
| Hillcrest | $11.50 | $12.50 | $13.50 |
| All other schools | $12.00 | $13.00 |
$14.00 |
Before and After School
| Consistent Schedule | Pick Your Days | Drop-in | |
| All schools | $24.00 | $26.00 |
$28.00 |
Non-School Days
| Early Bird | Regular | Drop-in | |
| Daily Rate | $41.00 | $45.00 |
$49.00 |
Charges are generated from the online account. Payment is due in advance of service. Full payment is due whether or not your child is in attendance. No refunds or deductions are made for absences, including illness, or school closures.
Consistent Schedule: Payments may be made in two equal installments, due on the 5th and the 20th of the month. Autopay is available for the entire invoice balance on the 5th of the month.
Pick Your Days: Payment for pick your days is required to be on autopay via ACH or credit card. Date of autopay is indicated on the invoice. The monthly schedule must be submitted by noon on the 20th of each month for the following month via your online account.
Drop-In: Families choosing the drop-in schedule must have a valid ACH or credit card on file. Once the site has approved for your reservation, a confirmation email will be sent and the drop-in charge will appear on your next invoice. Once the requested drop-in is approved, no refunds are available for canceling a drop-in date.
Non-School Day Due Dates and 50% Credit Chart: Families choosing to enroll in the non-school day option will need to click the button below for more information.
Revised Contract Fee: $10/child: Consistent schedule changes (representing a new pattern of attendance) require a one-week written notice to our administrative office and incur a $10 charge per child, per change. Please allow one week for requests to be approved/denied.
Camp SAFARI: Camp SAFARI is a full day school age childcare program for youth entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. The philosophy of Camp SAFARI is to lead children to discover friendship, independence and confidence through art, music, sports, drama, and recreational activities.
Summit SAFARI: If your child loves Camp SAFARI but feels they are ready for something new we have the perfect solution. Introducing Summit SAFARI! This new and exciting program takes your favorite parts of Camp SAFARI and combines them with fresh opportunities for children entering grades 5 and 6. Students will participate in new and challenging field trips, have more age-appropriate choices, engage in leadership opportunities, and get involved with additional programming such as cooking, physical/wellness activities, team building, mentorship, community service, and so much more! Summit SAFARI is the perfect program for students preparing to attend middle school. Participants will gain independence, connect with their community, and feel empowered all while having a fun summer experience.
Locations and Hours
- Indian Mounds Elementary
- Poplar Bridge
- Ridgeview Elementary
- Olson Middle School (Summit SAFARI Site)
June 10 - Aug. 14, 2020 (dates tentative)
Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Camp/Summit SAFARI is closed on July 3, 2020
Enrollment Dates: Registration for Camp/Summit SAFARI will start on March 11, 2020 at 6 a.m.
Registration Information: Registration is available on a first come, first served basis. Due to space limitations, sites may close and families may not get their first choice of site.
For students attending SLAM (Summer of Laughs, Adventures, and More) Summer School and Extended School Year (ESY) at Olson Middle School only (not attending Indian Mounds, Poplar Bridge, or Ridgeview Elementary any time during the summer), please email KidsSafari@isd271.org or call 952-681-6128.
All 2019 - 20 school year balances must be paid in full before attending Camp/Summit SAFARI.
Students Eligible for Enrollment
- Camp SAFARI accepts students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade.
- Summit SAFARI accepts students entering 5th and 6th grade.
Enrollment Options
- Consistent Schedule: $41/day
- Pick Your Days: $45/day
- Drop-ins: $49/day
Extended Care: Students attending SLAM, Extended School Year (ESY), or Summer School classes may only attend Extended Care at Olson Middle School. Bus transportation will not be available back to other Camp/Summit SAFARI sites. Students may only attend Extended Care at Olson Middle School the weeks they are enrolled in and attending the above mentioned classes. Extended Care at Olson Middle School is the only childcare option for students attending SLAM, ESY and Summer School classes. Due to accommodating the start and end times of these programs, Extended Care will not go on field trips, or have pool days.
If you wish to register for both Camp /SummitSAFARI and Extended Care please register for Camp/Summit SAFARI at one of the locations. Please answer question Number 10 of the contract, select which program your child will be attending. After your contract is received, you will then receive an email with a form attached that you will need to print off, complete, and sign, then return to us at kidssafari@isd271.org or by fax at 952-681-6101.
Mail/Bring to Kids' SAFARI administrative office:
Kids' SAFARI
2575 West 88th St., Suite 200
Bloomington, MN 55431
Please note this form must be returned to the Kids' SAFARI administrative office before your summer contract can be processed.
Extended Care operates from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and offers four registration options.
Those attending SLAM, Summer School and ESY classes only and wish to sign up for Extended Care during those days/weeks should call 952-681-6128.
Registration Fee
- New: $40
- Returning: $30
- Family Maximum: $70
Registration Fee is non-refundable.
Super SAFARI Care: This extension of Camp/Summit SAFARI is designed to meet the needs of families looking for a few more days of care after Camp/Summit SAFARI ends and before school begins.
Super SAFARI will operate August 17 - 19 (tentative). Those registering for Super SAFARI must have attended Camp/Summit SAFARI over the summer and attend their assigned location. Changing to another location is not an option. Registration begins on March 11 and is on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum of 75 children per location.
Each day, Super SAFARI will go on an extended field trip from approximately 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Therefore, drop-off must be between 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and pick-up needs to be between 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Dropping off or picking up at field trip locations is not allowed. Please note, Super SAFARI closes promptly at 5:30 p.m. and late pick up fees apply.
Locations
Students will register for the same site they attended during Camp/Summit SAFARI.
Fees
$150 per child. Payment in full due upon registration approval. No payment plans available for this program. Registration is for all three days. No refunds will be given for Super SAFARI cancellations.
Kids' SAFARI is looking for activity assistants and inclusion staff. Get paid to play and join our team.
Preschool Childcare: Early Learners Academy
Early Learners Academy is a Four Star Parent Aware rated, all-day early education program for children ages 3-5 that focuses on preparing them for kindergarten. Early Learners Academy is located within four Bloomington elementary schools: Poplar Bridge, Westwood and Normandale Hills Elementary schools and Hillcrest Community School.
Children learn language, early literacy, math, science, social studies, fine arts, health and safety, personal and physical development and technology. Instructors also use foundational manipulative math experiences and assess student's growth using the Minnesota Department of Education's "Early Childhood Indicators of Progress" state standards.
Each classroom maintains a teacher-student ratio of 1:10. No more than 20 students are admitted into each classroom.
Highly Qualified Staff
All instructors hold a teaching license in elementary education or meet the qualifications required for Licensure by the MN Dept. of Human Services.
High Parent Satisfaction
Each year, ELA conducts a parent satisfaction survey, 10 out of 10 parents say they would recommend the program to others.
We encourage families, who wish to begin an early relationship with Bloomington Public Schools, to explore this opportunity. Early Learners Academy is a 10-month program. Participants have the opportunity to join Early Camp SAFARI during the summer.
Enrollment Requirements
Each student must be three-years-old and toilet trained by Sept. 1.
Elementary School Locations and Hours
ELA is housed within four Bloomington elementary schools. All sites are open from 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Hillcrest Community School: Five-day program
- Poplar Bridge Elementary School: Five-day program
- Normandale Hills: Five-day program
- Westwood Elementary School: Two-, three-, and five-day programs
Contact
ELA@isd271.org
952-681-6128
Registration for the 2020-21 school year is open starting at 6 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Once on the registration site, select Explore All Programs, then Early Learners Academy (left side on screen, in blue). Select Registration (middle, in blue), then Create Account.
| Registration Fee | $60 per child - non-refundable |
| Five-day Program: all locations | $263 per week |
| Three-day Program: Monday/Wednesday/Friday at Westwood only | $177 per week |
| Two-day program: Tuesday/Thursday at Westwood only |
$120 per week |
Calendar
Family Handbook
Have questions regarding Early Learners Academy? Take a look at our FAQS sheet.