We are excited to begin registering for the 2024 - 2025 school year very soon! Please check our registration page for more details and a complete list of dates.
Stars & Comets Before / After School Care
@ Palm Harbor United Methodist Church
Stars & Comets provides high quality, fun, and safe before and after school care with age appropriate classes and a low student/teacher ratio (1:18). Your child will experience a caring, devoted staff, fun activities, and even exciting trips (on breaks and half days). And with competitive rates and a tuition fee that covers everything (regular care, full days and breaks, field trips & activities, snack, and much more) Stars & Comets is the right choice for your before and after school care needs. Daily activities include things like PM snack, arts & crafts, homework time, group games, computers / video games, board games, recreation time outside or in our gymnasium, and much more. Plus you'll know your child is being cared for at Palm Harbor United Methodist Church in a safe, family-friendly, and values-focused environment.
And speaking of safety, Stars & Comets is licensed through the Pinellas County License Department for Children’s Centers. Plus all staff are locally and nationally background checked.
Important Details
ESTABLISHED IN:
1981
DAYS OF CARE:
Monday - Friday
HOURS (SCHOOL DAYS):
AM Care from 7:00 AM until school drop-off. PM Care from school pickup
until 6:00 PM
HOURS (NON-SCHOOL DAYS):
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
AGES / GRADES:
K - 8th Grade (in separate age appropriate classrooms)
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED:
-
Curlew Creek
-
Curtis Fundamental (After Care Only)
-
Elisa Nelson
-
Highland Lakes
-
Lake St. George
-
Ozona
-
Palm Harbor Middle
-
Plato Academy Palm Harbor (Currently After Care Only)
-
Sutherland
-
Tarpon Springs Fundamental (After Care Only)
-
Westlake Christian
TEACHER / STUDENT RATIO:
Target of 1 to 18 (or less)
PAYMENT METHODS:
Enrollment in our auto-withdrawal program (often referred to as ACH or EFT) is required. Most families pay bi-weekly, but payments can be collected monthly, or semi-annually if desired instead.
What's Included?
Great Before / After School Care
BEFORE SCHOOL CARE provides your child with time to have fun, be social, and maybe even finish up some last minute homework before the school day begins. Many students also bring breakfast or an AM snack to enjoy as well.
AFTER SCHOOL CARE provides your child with the right mix of fun, social interaction, physical activity, and of course time for homework. After school care also includes a provided snack, student selected activities (stations), group activities, and more!
Full Day Care When School is Out
No school? No problem? Full day care is provided on days when school is out during the school year, with only a few exceptions for holiday closures (see Calendar & Updates page for info on holidays) AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. That's right, full day care is included in the regular cost of tuition.
On full days, students experience more of the great activities they would enjoy as part of regular before / after school care plus a field trip or special onsite activity (again all included in the regular cost of tuition). While Stars & Comets is closed during the summer, Palm Harbor UMC also offers a full day summer camp during the 9 - 10 weeks of summer. Want more info on that program? CLICK HERE!
Transportation To / From School
Students are transported to / from school in a 25 passenger shuttle bus, a 14 passenger mini bus, or a 10 passenger van. Attendance is taken as students both board and disembark the vehicle. When picking up students, after taking attendance, the family of any student not present is contacted (unless we were previously notified of the absence) to ensure no student is left behind.
All vehicles are routinely inspected for safety and all drivers are background checked, screened, must have a clean driving record, must pass a driver’s physical, must be CPR & First Aid certified, and must be approved through the United Methodist Conference!
Stars & Comets is proud
to be a ministry of
(727) 781 - 6343 starsandcomets@phumc.net
1551 Belcher Rd. Palm harbor, FL 34683
