Working Parents Get New Care Options As Phoenix Schools Roll Out 2026-27 Programs

PHOENIX, AZ — Phoenix Elementary School District #1 has announced its before- and after-school care options for the 2026-2027 school year, with programs available through the YMCA or Boys & Girls Club of the Valley depending on the campus.

The district said some services and costs have changed at certain schools this year, and families should review the options available for their child's campus.

Preschool Care Available At Monterey Park

Childcare for all Phoenix #1 preschool students will be offered at the Y Academy at Monterey Park, located at 2301 N. 3rd St.

The district said free transportation will be available between Phoenix #1 schools and Monterey Park, giving families more flexible full-day care options.

Preschool students from Emerson, Kenilworth, Lowell and Shaw Montessori will be bused from their schools to Monterey Park for after-school care.

Emerson K-5 students will be transported between Emerson and Monterey Park for both before- and after-school care. Faith North students will be transported between their school and Monterey Park for morning or afternoon sessions, and those students can attend full-day care at Monterey Park on Wednesdays when school is not in session.

The YMCA operates the Y Academy program, which accepts DES Child Care Assistance and offers internal scholarships. Monthly rates are:

• Before care only: $165
• After care only: $290
• Before and after care: $395

Boys & Girls Club After-School Care

The Boys & Girls Club of the Valley will provide after-school care for several Phoenix #1 campuses through two locations:

• I.G. Homes Branch, 1601 W. Sherman St.
• Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch, 1330 N. 15th St.

Students from Bethune, Capitol, Kenilworth, Lowell and Magnet Traditional will be bused to the I.G. Homes Branch.

Students from Edison, Emerson, Garfield, Herrera and Whittier will be bused to the Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch.

After-school care runs from school dismissal until 7 p.m., and both branches follow the Phoenix #1 school calendar.

The annual membership fee is $30 at both locations. Monthly program costs are:

I.G. Homes Branch

• Ages 5-12: $40 per month after the annual membership fee
• Teens ages 13-17: Annual membership only, with after-school programming included

Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch

• Ages 5-12: $60 per month after the annual membership fee
• Teens ages 13-17: Annual membership only, with after-school programming included

The district said scholarships are available through the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley.

Garfield families will have a special rate of $30 for the entire school year for the after-school program. A bus will also transport students from the club to Harmony at the Park Apartments at 6:15 p.m. each weekday. Parents must complete a transportation form through the club to reserve a seat.

Registration for Boys & Girls Club programs opened July 1, 2026.

YMCA On-Site Before- And After-School Care

The YMCA will provide on-site before- and/or after-school care at:

• Bethune
• Capitol
• Kenilworth
• Magnet Traditional
• Shaw Montessori
• Whittier

Students at these campuses can attend care directly at their schools rather than being transported to another location.

Before-school care begins at 6:30 a.m. and runs until the start of the school day. After-school care runs from dismissal until 6 p.m.

Monthly YMCA rates are:

• Before care only: $80
• After care only: $200
• Before and after care: $250

The YMCA accepts DES Child Care Assistance and offers internal scholarships for eligible families.

Families looking for care options for the 2026-2027 school year should check their child's campus-specific offerings before registering, as availability and pricing vary by location.