Okay so yeah I know it's only January but I felt a bit panicked this morning when I realized that in a few short months school with be out.  My son stays after school with his cousins which works great for the school year.  But it is not an option when he is out of school all day.  Typically when he is out of school for a day or two I take him to his old pre-school.  They have been an awesome resource for us (plugging Ms. Nikki's Challenger Plus in Bryant)!  But they are only able to do that on the random days that he's out.  They do not yet operate an after-school or summer program for school aged children.  

So I'm trying to jump on this early and find a great place for my son to spend his summer break.  He will be 6 by summer and is a very active kiddo.  With the exception of Challenger Plus, I have not been happy with traditional childcare.  And I am afraid that if I don't figure something out soon then I will be looking the last week of school and will have to settle for something I won't be happy with.  We've been through a few child care facilities in Benton and let me tell you I would never put my child back in those environments. I find they charge way more than is reasonable, lack continued education through the summer, and they basically just baby-sit.  I want my son to retain what he has learned in his first year of school.  I work with him at home but if, during the day, he is released to do nothing but play and watch TV all day then I fear he will not retain much.

So as a final thought, I am taking suggestions on quality childcare options for the working mother.  It would be a dream to be home with him through the summer but I can't do that.  We live on a tight budget so my husband and I both must work full-time and even must do side jobs to keep our heads above water.  So any and all suggestions that make sense will be considered.

Thanks for reading :)

MG