How to simplify your summer child care decisions

Megan Raposa -

This is a paid piece from EmBe.

Simplified: Though summer is still months away, parents know it's not too soon to start thinking about care options for your school-aged kids. Here's how EmBe is making it easy to get everything you want from summer programming in one place.

Why it matters

  • The Sioux Falls area has dozens of summer camp options for elementary school-aged kids, and when you add on things like swimming lessons or summer learning opportunities, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the logistics of figuring out how kids will get all of the summer programming they need.
  • EmBe's summer programming takes that logistical burden off of parents by incorporating pool visits, weekly field trips and relevant educational experiences into one program.
  • The summer curriculum also aligns with what kids are already learning in school, but in a more play-focused environment. The goal is to create a program where kids wake up in the morning and are excited to go, said Sarah Meagher, director of curriculum and licensing.
"For us, it's really about being kid-focused," Meagher said. "We've developed a lot of teacher resources for making sure the whole day feels much more like summer camp than it feels like you're being babysat for the kids in our care."."

Tell me more about summer programming

In a typical week at EmBe, kids will get off-site at least three days a week – usually swimming twice a week and a field trip as the third outing.

  • Then, the two on-site days each week allow for learning about various themes – such as camping, outer space, history of South Dakota, to name a few from last year.

Field trips are also aligned with curriculum themes, said Sara Tirrel, curriculum and instructional coach.

  • For example, students last year set up a campsite in a local park. During an outer space theme, they may visit the planetarium at the Washington Pavilion.

Additionally, kids can sign up for swimming lessons at EmBe's downtown location and EmBe will work out all of the logistics for getting them to and from their lessons.

"We’re thinking about what it means for us as parents to be able to work without thinking about several different drop offs, and camp ends at 3 p.m., all of that," Meagher said. "But we also want our kids to be able to be fully engaged and tired when they get home because they had a fun day."

How do I register?

Registration is currently available at EmBe South and in Harrisburg at Endeavor, Horizon, Liberty and Freedom Elementary Schools.

  • Hours at these locations run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and kids are served breakfast, lunch and a snack daily.
  • Kids do not have to be enrolled in the Harrisburg School District to attend these programs.
  • Learn more and register here.

EmBe also oversees summer programming for Community Learning Centers (CLC) at Sonia Sotomayor, John Harris and Discovery Elementary Schools in Sioux Falls. Registration is currently available for currently enrolled CLC students.

  • Kids do not have to be enrolled in the Sioux Falls School District to attend the CLC summer care program. Additionally, families do not need to be enrolled at the same school for summer care that they attend during the school year.
  • CLC registration opens to the general public on Feb. 24. More details here.