The Riga Recreation Child Care program gives working parents in the Churchville-Chili Central School District peace of mind about what their children are doing in the morning before school starts, and in the hours after school lets out.

Child Care Director Beth Brozak said the two-year-old program has been a success. "Word of mouth has been traveling fast," she said. "The prices are reasonable. The parents say it is phenomenal."

She extols the program’s safety, affordability and the opportunity for growth it gives its students. But, according to two of her charges, the program provides much, much more.

For Rachel Van Houten, a 9-year-old from Fairbanks Road Elementary School, and Katie Anderson, 10, from Churchville Elementary school, it is going to launch their careers as "The Round the World Girls" - a singing and dancing girl band now available for engagements.

Not only do the two provide entertainment to the troops gathered in the cafeteria of Churchville Elementary School every day, but they are role models, according to Anderson. "We are one of the oldest kids here," she said. "The little kids like to look up to us."

Brozak said the program’s age diversity is great. "The older kids are helping the younger kids, they are learning from each other. They seem to help each other in the arts and crafts area a lot," she said

Thirty-seven children are registered in the program this semester, ranging in age from five to ten years old. The program is sponsored by Riga Recreation in partnership with the Churchville-Chili School District, and is housed in the Churchville Elementary School.

Parents can drop children off before school, as early as 6:30 a.m. They are bussed to their own elementary schools - Fairbanks Road, Chestnut Ridge or St. Pius - and brought back by bus after school. (Students at Churchville Elementary are simply released into the school at the appropriate time.) Parents can pick the children up after school as late as 6 p.m.

Morning care costs $110 per month, afternoon $120 per month, and both programs together, $210 per month.

Brozak said the children are provided with a snack each day, and homework assistance is available if requested. "But they’ve been in school all day. We want to give them a choice of what they want to do. They need downtime," she said.

The kids are more likely to be found making arts and crafts with the large variety of supplies available, playing with toys, watching a movie the group has voted on, or playing group sports in the gym. But when the weather is nice you can almost certainly find them on the playground, Brozak said.

Emonie Logan, 7, a student at Chestnut Ridge Elementary School, said the best part of the program is "getting to meet new friends." Bryanna Johnson, 6, also from Chestnut Ridge, said she likes watching movies and playing with toys the best.

Both girls changed their minds however, when someone suggested playing outside was the best. "Oh, yeah. Going outside on the playground is my favorite," said Logan.

Brozak has six-year’s worth of experience in child care, and took courses in child and family studies, psychology, social work and counseling while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in sociology and health science at SUNY Brockport.

Assistant Manager Danielle Fredericks is a student at SUNY Brockport currently studying elementary education. The program also employs high school students, maintaining a ratio of no more than 10 students to each staff member.

Fredericks said she has enjoyed her experience with the program and said it is very positive for the children involved. "The kids learn to get along, to work together and make new friends," she said. She said staff are quick to jump in and help new kids feel right at home.

Note: Registration for next year will be accepted soon. Anyone interested can contact Beth Brozak at 293-0979, or stop at Riga Recreation, 8 South Main Street in Churchville, for more information.