Let’s paint a picture.
You, a stay-at-home-parent, occasionally find yourself daydreaming about sitting by yourself, drinking a hot (what’s that?) beverage, scrolling through your social media feed without a tiny human’s hands grabbing at your phone. Your kid isn’t quite ready (or old enough) for preschool, but if you aren’t able to get just a little time for yourself during the week, you’re seriously going to lose your sanity.
Enter the Parents’ Day Out program.
You may be thinking, “What is this ‘Parents’ Day Out’ you speak of?” If you have a child who isn’t quite ready for preschool (or maybe you’re not quite ready for preschool), this is a great alternative. Many churches offer this one-day a week option for you to drop off your child for a couple of hours of supervised play and socializing while you run errands, meet with a friend, or just grab a cup of coffee and get some alone time. Much like preschools, there is usually a monthly fee. Also, like preschools, you have to enroll your child ahead of time, and many of these sought after programs fill up quickly.
I can personally attest to the usefulness of these programs because I enrolled my son in one when he was just 15 months old. He was extremely clingy and being a fairly independent person, I was feeling a little stifled by thoughts of being the one and only person he would ever be comfortable with. Fast forward two years and preschool drop-offs were never a problem for us. Also, I got to enjoy a couple of hours to myself!
Below is a list of some of the Parents’ Day Out programs in the Columbus area. Feel free to check them out if you are in need of some “me time”! (This information is provided as a resource, so be sure to contact the organization directly for the most up to date information.)
Local Parents’ Day Out Programs
Covenant Presbyterian
Address: 2070 Ridgecliff Rd, Upper Arlington
Frequency: Monday-Friday (choose one day), 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Program offered September-May.
Tuition: $25 weekly tuition
Additional Fees: $25 registration fee
Ages: 18 months-3 years old
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Delaware Cooperative Preschool
Address: 55 West Lincoln Avenue, Delaware
Frequency: Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. This program is in session for 36 weeks of the year.
Tuition – $450 for each session (based on number of days attending)
Additional Fees: $60 Membership fee and a $30 cleaning fee (which is deducted off your March invoice if you’ve completed the cleaning on your scheduled date.) Enrollment begins February 1, 2019.
Ages: 2 years – 3 years old
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Dublin Baptist Church
Address: 7195 Coffman Rd, Dublin
Frequency: Tuesday-Thursday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Program offered September-May
Tuition – $120/$220/$320 monthly (based on number of days attending)
Additional Fees: $50/$75/$100 registration fee (based on number of days attending)
Ages: 18 mos – 5 years old
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Indian Run United Methodist
Address: 6305 Brand Rd, Dublin
Frequency: Program offered Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, 9:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Tuition: $83 per month
Additional Fees: $35 registration fee; $40 supply fee
Ages: 2-3 years old
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Jerome United Methodist Church
Address: 10531 Jerome Road Plain City, Ohio 43064
Frequency: Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The Kids Morning Out Program is offered September through mid-May.
Tuition: $70 a month
Additional Fees: A $25 registration fee, $40 supply fee, and $70 May 2019 tuition fee will be collected at the time of registration. Registration starts February 1, 2019.
Ages: Participants must be at least 24 months, but less than 36 months by September 30 of the current school year.
Karl Road Baptist Church
Address: 5750 Karl Road, Columbus
Frequency: Fridays 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Program offered September-May (follows Columbus City School calendar)
Tuition: $60 monthly
Additional Fees: $20 registration fee
Ages: 18 months-5 years old
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Peace United Methodist
Address: 235 Diley Rd, Pickerington
Frequency: Fridays 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Program offered August-May
Tuition: $80 monthly
Additional Fees: $50 registration fee
Ages: 2-5 years old
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Powell United Methodist
Address: 825 East Olentangy Street, Powell
Frequency: Fridays, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Tuition: $440/semester (Fall) and $477/semester (Winter)
Ages 2-5 years old
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Scioto Ridge United Methodist
Address: 4343 Dublin Rd, Hilliard
Frequency: Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Program offered September-May
Tuition: $70 monthly
Additional Fees: $50 registration fee
Ages: 6 months-5 years old
Parkview Presbyterian Church
6969 East Livingston Ave
Reynoldsburg Ohio 43068
Parents Day Out Program
September-May
9am-1pm Every Friday
$60 per month
Registration Fee $50
2yrs-3yrs
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