Parents’ Day Out: Kid-free time for stay-at-home parents

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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 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 2 years and preschool drop-offs have never been a problem for us. Also, I get 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! 

 

Covenant Presbyterian
2070 Ridgecliff Rd, Upper Arlington
covenantpcusa.org
Program offered September-May
Mon-Thur, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
$25 registration fee; $20 weekly tuition
Ages 18 mos-3 yrs

Delaware Cooperative Preschool
Asbury United Methodist
55 West Lincoln Avenue, Delaware
DCPkids.com
This program is in session for 36 weeks of the year.
Tue-Wed-Thur, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
$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.)
Tuition – $400/$800/$1,200 for the program (based on number of days attending)
Ages 2 yrs – 3 yrs

Dublin Baptist Church
7195 Coffman Rd, Dublin
DublinBaptist.com
Program offered September-May
Tue-Thur-Fri, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
$50/$75/$100 registration fee (based on number of days attending)
Tuition – $120/$210/$300 monthly (based on number of days attending)
Ages 18 mos – 5 yrs

Indian Run United Methodist
6305 Brand Rd, Dublin
IndianRun.org
Program offered Tue-Weds-Thur, 9:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
$35 registration fee; $40 supply fee; $80 monthly tuition
Ages 2-3 yrs

Karl Road Baptist Church
5750 Karl Road, Columbus
KarlRoadBaptist.org
Program offered September-May (follows Columbus City School calendar)
Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
$20 registration fee; $60 monthly tuition
Ages 18 mos-5 yrs

New Albany United Methodist
20 Third Street, New Albany
Newalbanyumc.com
Program offered September-May
Tuesdays-Thursdays or Fridays 9:15-11:15 a.m.
Ages 2.5-3 yrs
Enrollment has started

Northwest United Methodist
5200 Riverside Dr, Columbus
NWUMC.com
Program offered September-May
Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
$50 registration fee; $70 monthly tuition
Ages 15 mos-5 yrs
Enrollment begins April 1

Peace United Methodist
235 Diley Rd, Pickerington
peaceumc.org
Program offered August-May
Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
$50 registration fee; $80 monthly tuition
Ages 2-5 yr

Powell United Methodist
825 East Olentangy Street, Powell
pumcpreschool.com
Fridays, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Tuition: $513/semester
Ages 2-5 yr

Scioto Ridge United Methodist
4343 Dublin Rd, Hilliard
http://srumc.org/mdo
Program offered September-May
Tue-Wed-Thur, 9:30am-1pm
$50 registration fee; $70 monthly tuition
Ages 6 mos-5 yrs
Enrollment begins March 1

 

If we missed any parents’ day out programs, feel free to comment with the church name/website!

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