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MIAMI - This year, 209 public elementary schools in Miami-Dade County will offer busy parents two great services: before- and after-school care.

Before-school care programs begin approximately one hour before school starts. After-school care programs run from school dismissal until 6 p.m. Parents should check with their child's school for specific start times. The cost of before-school care is $15 per week; the cost of after-school care is $30 per week.

Before-school care programs provide supervised, quiet activities for students and will be provided on a need basis. 

All after-school care programs provide planned activities, including homework help, indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, snack time, and other recreational activities. Many programs offer reading and math tutoring, music, ceramics, chess, drama and a variety of other educational and enrichment experiences.

These programs are offered by one of four providers: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the YMCA, the YWCA and the Family Christian Association of America.

Interested parents should contact the principal's office at their child's school to learn which programs are offered.

Further information may be obtained by calling the school system's Office of Adult/Vocational, Alternative and Community Education at 305-995-1242, or by logging on to http://sacc.dadeschools.net.

Opening day for schools is August 14; School Improvement Zone schools opened August 7.

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06-LJG/011/TEL