Before School Care

No, unfortunately we cannot accommodate the schedule difference between Pre-K and K-8.

Yes! To offer flexibility for families, we’re making Before Care available on a day-by-day basis. We ask that families register at least one week in advance, as space may become limited. If you know your schedule and are able to register a month ahead, that really helps us plan—and makes booking easier for you too!.

All programs offer a 10% sibling discount. Use code: SIBLING10

Yes! Rutabaga offers sliding scale enrollment fees through our scholarship fund to help make our programs accessible to more families. This fund is supported entirely through our own program budgets — we do not receive government funding — and we’re proud to offer this support as part of our community mission. No proof of financial status is required. Just email camp@rutabagaphilly.com to inquire about availability and review our sliding scale options. Discounts typically range from 10% to 50% off, depending on your family’s needs and the available funds.

Scholarships are available on a first-come, as-needed basis, and while spots are limited, we do our best to accommodate as many families as possible.

We also offer payment plans. To set up a payment play, just choose your booking dates and select Payment Play beside the Pay Now button at checkout. Follow the instructions to set up automatic weekly payments. If you need to make changes to your payment plan, please contact us at camp@RutabagaPhilly.com at least 5 days before the next payment is due.

All registrations are nonrefundable. Special requests due to extenuating circumstances may be considered, on a case-by-case basis.

We understand that unforeseen circumstances, like illness, may arise. However, similar to our refund policy, we count on enrollment fees to ensure our staff receive fair wages and maintain regular schedules. While we strive to accommodate significant circumstances that result in missed days, your booking represents a commitment to supporting the sustainability of our programs.

Please contact us directly to discuss specific situations, and we will do our best to find a suitable solution.

Before Care happens at the Rutabaga Toy Library, where you will drop off your child. We will then walk students to Mifflin to start their school day.

Morning Care is a screen-free program. While some older children may be used to relaxing with a device in the morning, we’ve found that personal screens make it harder to maintain a positive, inclusive play environment for all ages. We ask that children do not bring personal toys, as our space is already filled with open-ended play materials. However, older children are welcome to bring a book or a quiet, non-screen activity if they’d like something familiar to do during the morning.

Rutabaga will not be offering After Care for the 2025–2026 school year. While we’ve loved running our play-based program, the unpredictability of school-based options has made it hard to sustain. We’ve heard another option may be forming at McDevitt—check with the school office for the most up-to-date info on daily pickup programs.