Frequently Asked Questions - General Information

What are your office hours?
We are available by phone (888.212.3837) and email ([email protected]) 8am-5:30pm Monday-Friday.  We check our inboxes outside of these hours and will get back to you as soon as we can, we know your family's schedule is 24/7! 

Are scholarships available?
Financial assistance is available for after school programs.  Please contact Darien After School for more information at [email protected]  888.212.3837.

What does it mean if there is a waitlist?
If a class is full, you should enroll your child on our wait list via the class registration page. Wait list registration requests will be processed in the order they are received. You may pay in advance or select 'pay later' at registration.  All efforts will be made to place a child in the class, and if they are not accommodated, they will have priority enrollment before the start of registration the next session that class is offered.  

What is General Registration?
General registration is when registration opens until 1 week before the start of the session.  Late registrations are accepted, late fees apply.

Can my child change classes?
Absolutely!  Class changes are free until one week prior to the start of classes, a $25 change fee will apply to each enrollment change after general registration closes.  Class changes cannot be done online.  Please contact us for all class changes.   

Can I register my child for a class after it has started?
Yes, A $25 late fee is applied to enrollments placed after general registration.  To help minimize school day interruptions, same day enrollments are strongly discouraged.  If necessary, please call us at 888.212.3837. 

Are class fees prorated?
Yes, class fees are prorated to join for the next class meeting.  We reserve $5 from prorated fees for class set-up and administration. 

Can I cancel a registration and get a refund?
Full refund, minus $25 processing, up until the end of general registration. Once general registration ends, classes are confirmed and materials are sent to the school. At that point a 50% refund will be given up until the third class meeting. We do not give refunds after the third class meeting.  General registration dates and session dates are listed on your school's class schedule page.  Conference day programs may be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Any class that exceeds 15 weeks, a 70% refund will be given from the end of general registration up until the third class meeting and a 50% refund up until the fifth class meeting. We do not give refunds after the fifth class meeting for any classes over 15 weeks.

What if my child is absent from school or skipping a class?
Please email [email protected] or call 888.212.3837 if your child will not be attending after school.  No refunds for missed classes. 

What happens when school is cancelled, delayed or dismissed early?
If school is cancelled, dismissed early or the school district cancels after school activities due to weather, Darien After School classes will not be held. If there is a delayed opening, morning classes are cancelled. No make-ups or refunds for weather related cancellations.  If the same class is cancelled on repeated occasions we will compensate families for the lost class time at the end of the session. If it is a scheduled early dismissal, regular session classes are not held, however we may offer conference days programs in their place.

Are classes ever cancelled?
No, we place substitute instructors when an instructor is absent.  At times, the class activity may need to be adjusted too.  We appreciate your understanding and support in advance.

Can I send in snacks?
No, sorry, snacks are not allowed during after school. 

Technology Policy?
In order for all students and instructors to enjoy their after-school program time we ask instructors and students to refrain from using phones/ tablets/ computers and smart watches during class time.

How does my child get to their after school program?
The Darien School District requires the use of School Dismissal Manager for all changes to your child's daily dismissal; be sure to enter your child's dismissal to their after school program.  Holmes, Tokeneke and Ox Ridge students are dismissed from their classroom to the common room for attendance into Darien After School.  Royle school students are dismissed to their after school classroom for attendance. Hindley students are dismissed from their classroom to the gym for attendance.  

Can my child walk home?
Yes, once we have signed walker permission slip on file.  

Can I pick my child up late?
No, prompt pick up is greatly appreciated as our site directors have commitments of their own to get to.  Darien After School may charge parents of children who are picked up late and may result in the students removal from the program.

Dependent Care Tax Credit?
Darien After School classes can be applied toward dependent care tax credits. Our Tax ID is: 46-3043744 under “Darien After School LLC”

Is the MMS Spirit wear part of the Darien After School?
No, we are a separate entity. Darien After School is supporting the Middlesex Middle School MPA by selling a wide range of spirited apparel and merchandise. All Sales are final, any questions please reach out to the MPA directly.

Frequently Asked Questions - Health and Safety

What happens in Case of Emergency?
Our Site Directors are First Aid, CPR, Epi-Pen, and Automated External Defibrillator trained however 911 may be called.  Please see our terms and conditions for more information

What if my child has allergies?
If your child has an allergy, or other medical concern, you must let us know when registering for a class or event. Darien After School, its officers and associates do not have access to medical information or medications provided by parents to Darien Schools or school health office.

What if I have questions or concerns about the program?
We are a separate entity from Darien Public Schools.  Please contact us at 888.212.3837, or [email protected].  We ask that if you want to sit in and observe a class that you reach out to us to make arrangements with instructors and Site Director. 

Do you support special needs?
Yes, as best as we are able.  Our instructors and vendors are skilled at working with a variety of students unique abilities.  Please note any special needs in the registration process or contact us at [email protected].  We are committed to providing enrichment activities for all students and making reasonable accommodations when possible.

Do you provide one-on-one paraprofessionals?
Yes, in some situations we provide one-on-one paraprofessionals to accompany students. Please provide us with your child's IEP, or 504 and the name of your child's one-on-one aide during the school day. If you do not have a copy you can sign a third party consent form and we can request it from the school.  Please note that we only provide paraprofessionals for up to two classes per session. If your student is enrolled in more than two classes we will hire a paraprofessional on your behalf and bill you $50 per class meeting. 

What is the Code of Conduct?
To ensure all enjoy the program, students are expected to abide by school day policies and behave in a non-disruptive manner while participating in Darien After School activities. 

Should a student not abide by the school's code of conduct, we will call parents or guardians for their support.  If the behavior continues, the student will need to skip one class meeting. Upon return, if behavior has not changed, the student will be removed from the program per the discretion of Darien After School instructors or managers.  Refunds are not provided for cancellations relating to student's behavior.

Terms and Conditions and Medical Consent - All registrations require acceptance at registration and prior to participation in Darien After School Programs.  
I /We affirm that I am/We are the parent(s) or the Legal Guardian(s) of this applicant and have the requisite authority and right to execute this waiver and consent form without any other person or third party’s additional consent or approval.    

I/We acknowledge that Darien After School, dba Darien After School, LLC (the “Company”) is a separate entity from Darien Public Schools.

I/We hereby give permission for my/our child to participate in an after school program run by the Company (the “Program”) during the school year during “Program Hours” including but not limited to, one hour before school starts and/ or one hour after school dismissal. I/we understand and acknowledge that the Company is fully responsible for all aspects of the Program, and that the Company will be providing care and supervision of all of the students in the Program, including my/our child, during Program Hours.

I/We understand that the Company does not provide any accident or health insurance for participants in the Program and that it is my/our responsibility to provide such coverage.

I/We understand that the Company is not responsible for any personal property lost, damages or stolen while my/our child is participating in the Program.

I/We have read the Parent’s Corner and the terms and conditions of participation in Darien After School programs and agree to abide by the rules and guidelines set forth therein.

I/We acknowledge and affirm that the Darien Board of Education and the Town of Darien are not responsible for any aspect of the Program, including without limitation, the care and supervision of the participants in the Program during Program Hours, and I/we agree to release and hold harmless the Darien Board of Education and the Town of Darien, their members, agents, officers, employees, representatives and volunteers, from any and all liability, claims, suits, demands, judgements, costs, interest and expense (including attorneys’ fees and costs) for any loss, damage or injury, including that caused by negligence, that may occur during the Program.

I/We certify that to the best of our knowledge my/our child is physically able to participate in all parts of the Program.  I/We understand that I/we will be notified in the case of a medical emergency. I/We acknowledge that because the Company is a separate entity from my/our child’s regular school, the Company does not have access to information or medications stored in my/our child’s school’s health office, even if the Program is held on the site of my/our child’s regular school.  I/We further acknowledge that if my/our child has any allergies or other conditions that require medication or special treatment, I/we have disclosed such conditions to the Company on the Allergy and Other Conditions Disclosure and Waiver Form at Registration for participation in such Program.  We acknowledge that it is my/our responsibility to ensure that the Company has a supply of any needed medication for the Program’s sole use during the Program hours, and that if a reaction or medical issue is detected, 911 emergency protocols will be activated, and that under such circumstances, there is a possibility that emergency personnel or other Good Samaritan may administer epinephrine or other medication and that there is a possibility of a life-threatening situation developing thereby in the event of illness or injury to my/our child, and I/we am unable to be so contacted, then in the case of sickness or accident, I/we hereby give my/our permission to the Company employees, contractors and/or medical personnel selected by the Company to give necessary first aid/CPR to my/our child and to otherwise order or preform any medical attention deemed necessary and  authorize the person in charge to obtain and consent to, on my/our behalf, whatever medical treatment, emergency transportation, and hospital care is deemed necessary or advisable by such persons for the well-being of my/our child.  I understand that the Company is not responsible for any medical expenses incurred during an emergency and accept financial responsibility for all such medical treatment given my/our child.

I/We, on behalf of ourselves, our family, heirs, personal representative(s), and/or assigns, acknowledge and agree that my/our child’s participation in the Program may result in minor injuries, major injuries or serious injuries, including permanent disability and death, and severe social and economic losses which might result not only from my/our child’s own actions, inactions, or negligence, but the actions, inactions or negligence of others, the rules of play, or the conditions of the premises or of any equipment used, and that safety rules and regulations do not prevent all injuries.

I/We  do hereby, on behalf of ourselves, our family, heirs, personal representative(s) and/or assigns,  waive, release, absolve, indemnify, and agree to hold harmless the Company, its members, employees, agents, the organizers, sponsors, supervisors, and participants for any claim arising out of any injury to or illness of my/our child, whether the result of negligence, the following of 911 emergency protocols or for any cause. I/We understand that I/we are releasing claims and giving up substantial rights, including my/our right to sue, and are doing so voluntarily. 

Media Waiver- All registrations required to consent or decline at registration and prior to participation in Darien After School Programs.  
I, as the parent/ guardian of the student I am enrolling in Your After School program(s), hereby grant to Your After School, LLC , their successors, and their assignees the right to record the image and/or voice and use the artwork and/ or written work of my child, on videotape, on film, on photographs, in digital media and in any other form of electronic or print medium and to edit such recording at their discretion. I understand that my child’s full name, address and biographical information will not be made public. I further grant Your After School, LLC, their successors, and their assignees the right to use, and to allow others to use, my child’s image and/or voice on the internet, in brochures, and in any other medium and hereby consent to such use. I hereby release Your After School, LLC, their successors, and their assignees and any using my child’s image and/or voice, artwork, and/or written work pursuant to this media release form any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses which I or my child now have or may hereafter have by reason of any use thereof.

Darien After School, LLC is a separate entity from Darien Public Schools. Contact [email protected] for more information.