SAC Program Structure

SAC is offered before school, after school, on select non-school days (Adventure Camps), and during Summer Camp. No matter when they attend, your child can expect a safe, welcoming space to play, learn, and connect.

Here is how they spend their time, who they spend it with, and how we support them.

What Your Child Can Expect

SAC is a continuation of the school day in a more relaxed, play-based environment. Children:

  • Choose from a variety of activities that match their interests
  • Play and learn with kids from different grades
  • Build friendships and practice important life skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork
  • Are supported by trained staff who know them, notice them, and care about their well-being

We focus on the “whole child” — social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development — through hands-on, fun experiences.

Our Daily Rhythm
PM Programming Example

Each site follows a consistent rhythm so children know what to expect, but the exact activities and order may change with the season, weather, and group needs.

A typical afternoon includes:

A person's hand is holding a clipboard with a form, with a blurred background of what appears to be a public transportation setting.

Arrival & Check-In
Staff greet children, help them transition from the school day, and make sure everyone is accounted for and safe.

Snack & Community Time
Children have time to eat, connect with friends, and hear about the activity options for the day.

SAC Snack Time
The image shows a person's hands working on a craft project, with various craft supplies and a stuffed animal visible in the background.

Activity Choice in Learning Zones
Children choose from a variety of “zones” — spaces designed for different kinds of play and learning.

Group Games & Enrichment Activities
Staff may lead organized games, STEM challenges, arts projects, clubs, or special themed activities..

SAC Group Games
SAC Clean-Up

Clean-Up & Pick-Up
Children help clean up, gather their belongings, and wind down for an easier transition home.

Types of SAC Activities

Each SAC program creates a variety of experiences based on children’s interests, staff creativity, available materials, and the season. On any given day, your child may have opportunities to explore:

Creative Experiences
A group of children are gathered around a table, engaged in various arts and crafts activities, with supplies and materials scattered across the surface.

Making art, crafting, designing, drawing, or expressing ideas through hands-on projects

Building & Designing
A SAC supervisor is assisting young students in building a colorful block structure

Using open-ended materials like blocks, LEGO®, and other items for constructing, engineering, or experimenting

STEM Exploration
A smiling woman and two young girls, are engaged in a hands-on STEM activity

Engaging with science, problem-solving, simple experiments, or other discovery-based challenges

Games & Group Activities
Children playing board games at SAC

Board games, cooperative games, challenges, and activities that build communication and teamwork

Imaginative Play
Kids playing pirates

Dramatic play, storytelling prompts, pretend scenarios, and opportunities to develop ideas through play

Movement & Physical Play
Student on a swing outside at School Age Care (SAC)

Gym games, sports-based activities, or other ways to stay active and build coordination

Indoor & Outdoor Experiences
Students playing outside at School Age Care

Time to explore, create, play, or connect with friends, depending on the weather and licensing guidelines

These are examples, not a set list. Daily offerings vary by site, season, and the interests of the children. Our goal is to create a choice-rich, engaging, and developmentally supportive environment where every child can find something they love.

What About Older Kids?

We know older elementary students have different needs than younger ones. For them, SAC offers:

Homework & Quiet Time
Space to read or work, with light homework support when possible.

Age-Appropriate Activities
Larger-scale building, advanced STEM challenges, more complex games, and projects that feel “big kid” friendly.

Leadership Opportunities
Chances to help with activities, model for younger peers in appropriate ways, and take on more responsibility (within staff guidance and safety expectations).

Thoughtful Technology Use
Technology is used intentionally, in accordance with BVSD and SAC Technology Use Guidelines, and is always used in a limited and supervised manner.

Group Sizes, Ratios & Safety

Your child’s safety is our priority.

BVSD SAC programs maintain a maximum child-to-staff ratio of 1:15 in school-age group settings.

Children are in mixed-age groups, which helps build leadership, empathy, and peer connections across grade levels.

What "Ratio" Means

Ratio describes how many children can be assigned to each adult. A 1:15 ratio means one staff member can be responsible for up to 15 children. Ratios guide how we form groups, staff our programs, and structure movement between spaces so children are always within sight and supported.

Licensed Child Care
How This Affects Your Child's Day

SAC is a licensed child care program through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC).

Learn more about Colorado Child Care Licensing
Colorado Child Care Licensing Rules & Regulations

Because we are licensed, there are additional safety rules that guide:

  • Where children can go in the building
  • How bathrooms and common areas are supervised
  • Which playground structures can be used, and how (height and surface requirements)
  • How many children can be in a space with a staff member at one time

These rules may mean your child’s SAC experience looks a little different from the school day — but they are in place to create a safe, consistent, and well-supervised environment.

Individualizing for All Children

We know that no two children are alike. SAC staff:

  • Offer a range of activities every day — quiet and active, creative and logical, solo and group‐based
  • Pay attention to what engages each child and adjust offerings accordingly
  • Provide space for children who need to move and children who prefer a calmer environment
  • Encourage children to try new things, take safe risks, and celebrate their strengths

Monthly calendars and newsletters highlight themes, special events, and activities so families can see the variety offered across the month.

Sample SAC Calendar
Sample SAC Calendar
Sample SAC Newsletter
Sample SAC Newsletter

The Curricula That Support Our Work

Behind the fun, SAC is grounded in research-based tools and curricula designed for out-of-school time.

You can learn more about the resources we use here:

STEM Curriculum – MindWorks Resources
Hands-on activities that build curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Social-Emotional Curriculum – Second Step (Out-of-School Time)
Lessons and activities that support empathy, emotion regulation, friendship skills, and conflict resolution.

Gross Motor & Movement – Playworks & SparkPlay!
Inclusive games and movement activities that help children stay active, build coordination, and practice good sportsmanship.

These tools help us design experiences that are fun for children and grounded in best practices for learning and development.