After School Friends Program 

REGISTRATION OPENS ON MONDAY AUGUST 19TH FOR RESIDENTS

Welcome back! We are back for the 2025-2026 school year!

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY REGARDING A LOCATION CHANGE TO THE AFTER SCHOOL PORTION OF THE PROGRAM 

Before will be available at Mansfield Elementary School. Before Care starts each day at 7:00 AM. The program participants will be dismissed to school at 8:45 AM. 

The After Care program will be located at the Mansfield Community Center. It runs from 3:30-6:00 PM each day. At the dismissal time of the school day, any child who is registered for the after school program will be dismissed to the library. Once they arrive there, a staff member will check and make sure that all the kids are in the appropriate spot. Once confirmed, those kids will all gather onto one bus and be bussed over to the Mansfield Community Center. Upon arrival, the Before and After School Friends staff will assure all the correct kids have made it to the program.

The Before and After School Friends Program offers a safe, fun and relaxed atmosphere for children at the end of the school day. The program is for children in grades K - 4 whose parents want them to join special activities in a peer setting, or are unable to care for them after school.

Our before and after school program will have limited group sizes based on OEC guidance. 

The Before and After School Friends Program designs activities to provide children with experiences that enhance physical, emotional and social growth. Children learn to resolve conflicts and develop social skills. The weekly schedule can include activities such as arts and crafts, sports, outside time, creative group games and special themed events. 

Outdoor play happens whenever possible. The gym will be available in limited capacity. Come to the after school program prepared for the inclement weather. If it is snowing, we may go outside so each child should come prepared with snow gear. If the weather is below 32 degrees the kids will stay indoors. If the temperature is above 90 degrees, the kids will also not go outside. We encourage the children and staff to be involved in planning together. Snack is provided for our after school friends.

When school is closed or has an early dismissal due to inclement weather, there is no after school program. 

Ways to Register

• Come into the community center, fill out a activity registration form and make payment
• Mail in a activity registration form payment with a check. Credit cards can only be accepted in person or on-line.
• Register online here.
• Drop In Registration: Drop In Policy: Parents/guardians can register for drop-in days as needed online! Please follow the instructions at mansfieldct.gov/BeforeAfter-School-Friends under the tab “Online Drop-In Registration How To”. Space for drop-ins is limited each day and are not guaranteed. Registering for a drop-in must be done no later than 24 hours prior to the day the service is needed. Payment will be due upon registration for drop-in days! Any drop-ins needed after the 24 hour mark will need to be requested and approved by the Program Coordinator. This can be done by calling 860429-3015 x 6107. If you do not hear back shortly after calling, please call the main desk at the Community Center at 860-429-3015 x 0 and they will connect you with a manager. Drop-in rates apply. Enroll by month, regular individual days per month, or on a drop-in basis! Please make sure to notify the school of the schedule change for child as soon as possible!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE DATES

Monthly registration will be available this school year to allow families to register for multiple months in advance as well as for the entire school year.

Hours

• Before School 7:00 AM-8:45 AM
• After School 3:30 PM-6:00 PM
• On scheduled half days after school starts at 12:45pm-6pm
• On early dismissal days there is no after school program

Fees

• Registered days
  • $12.65 for before school
  • $15.44 for after school 
  • You must register at the end of each month to use the next month. 
  • If you have changes you need to make for your childcare, there is an activity refund/request form. 
• Drop In days
  • $20.90 for before school
  • $25.20 for after school
  • Credit cards will be charged the first week of the month for the days attended the previous month.

For more information contact Mansfield Parks and Recreation by email: parks&rec@mansfieldct.org or by phone 860-429-3015 ext. 0.