Long Valley Parents Plead For District-Run After-School Childcare Program

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Parents are rallying for a district-run after-school care program in Long Valley elementary schools.

More than 100 parents have signed a petition calling for an after-school program for children in the school district. One of the biggest concerns for parents is needing to take time off work to arrange pick-up for the kids after school gets out.

“Currently, there is a significant shortage of after-school care options in our community,” the petition reads. “The existing programs have long waitlists, leaving numerous families without access to this essential service. With school dismissal at 2 p.m., it is simply not feasible for most working parents to coordinate pickups without either drastically reducing their work hours or arranging costly alternative care… This is especially challenging given that there are no other after-school programs available within the district.”

Petition organizers say that a district-run after-school program would:

• Provide equitable access to safe, supervised care for all students.
• Support working families in maintaining employment without financial hardship.
• Enhance student well-being through structured enrichment activities and social engagement.
• Strengthen community ties by offering a consistent, district-managed solution.

The two current options for after-school care are run by third-party entities, Catholic Charities and Musconetcong Valley Community Center. Petition creator Nadine Tutela, a mother of four who works as a registered nurse, says she’s been on these programs’ waiting list for a year, and is not alone.

“The families in my community are in desperate need of after-school childcare… Those of us that do not get a spot are faced with the difficult decision to either quit their job, reduce their work hours, or pay for private care,” Tutela told Patch. “I believe parents should be able to send their children to public school and be able to work normal business hours.”

The petition is asking the Washington Township Board of Education to “prioritize exploring the feasibility, funding options, and implementation timeline for a district-operated aftercare service that can meet the needs of all families, not just a fortunate few.”

Click here to learn more about the petition’s agenda.

The next Washington Township BOE meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.