After-School Care in Ennis, TX With School Transportation Both Ways
ABC Early Learning Academy offers After-School Care in Ennis, TX for children 6 to 12 years, open until 7 PM weekdays. We drive kids to school after breakfast and pick them up in the afternoon, then provide snack, homework and reading time, and play, plus full-day care on most school breaks.
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What happens after school?
Our after-school program runs every school day. Here is the flow of an afternoon.
- 1
Arrival and handwashing
Kids come in from school, put away backpacks, and wash up.
- 2
Afternoon snack
A real snack cooked in our own kitchen, included in tuition.
- 3
Homework and reading time
Quiet time every afternoon to finish homework and read, with help from teachers.
- 4
Enrichment
Hands-on activities such as art and games.
- 5
Free play, outdoor play, and pickup by 7:00 PM
Time to run, play with friends, and wind down until you arrive.
How does school transportation work?
Mornings: school-age kids are dropped off with us, eat a hot breakfast, then ride to school. Afternoons: we pick them up from local schools and bring them back for snack and homework time. Routes and times are confirmed with each family at enrollment.
How our school transportation works →What about school breaks and summer?
We stay open during most school breaks, including fall, winter, spring, and summer, with full-day care for school-age kids. We close only on major holidays, such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
What is the school-age ratio?
| School-Age (6 – 12 years) | 1:26 |
We meet or exceed the Texas HHSC Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards.
How much is after-school care?
After School Care: $155 per week when paid on Monday ($190 published rate).
All Day Schooler (breaks & summer): $190 per week when paid on Monday ($225 published rate).
One-time $150 enrollment fee. Refer a new student and get 50% off your first week. CCS enrollment help is available; ask us about current CCS status.
What should my child bring?
- Blanket for rest (if needed on full-day break days)
- 3 extra pairs of underwear
- 3 extra clothing sets, labeled, in a bag
- Seasonal outdoor gear; in summer, a hat, swimsuit, and water play clothes
- Extra pair of shoes
- Sunscreen and bug spray, labeled
Label every item with your child's name.
Why After-School Care in Ennis, TX works for commuting parents
We are open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the only child care center in Ennis open past 6:30 PM. School-age children can start the day with breakfast here and end it here, with transportation both ways in between. Why we're open until 7 PM.
No afternoon gap
School lets out long before most commuters can get back from Dallas or along US 287. Your child comes to the center instead of an empty house, and you have until 7:00 PM to pick up.
One stop for siblings
A younger brother or sister can stay in their own classroom all day while an older child rides to school and back, so one drop-off and one pickup cover the family.
Homework done before dinner
Every afternoon includes homework and reading time with teachers nearby, so evenings at home can be for family.
Room to run
After a day at a desk, kids get outdoor play on our 2.7 fenced acres and space to move in the indoor gym.
How do we start after-school care?
Tour on a weekday between 9:30 AM and noon or 2:00 and 4:00 PM and bring your child's school and grade so we can check the route. Complete the enrollment forms, pay the one-time $150 enrollment fee and first week's tuition, and start on a Monday. Refer a new student and the first week is 50% off.
Paying with a scholarship? See how we help with the CCS application.
How do you keep school-age kids safe?
- • Secure entry at the front door, and every visiting adult signs in and wears a visible badge
- • Children are signed in and out every day; a valid photo ID is required, and only adults on your pick-up list can take your child
- • Cameras monitor key areas, including entrances, hallways, and common spaces
- • Every teacher and assistant passes a background check and completes the annual training Texas HHSC requires, including CPR, first aid, and health and safety
- • Regular fire, severe weather, and lockdown drills
How do you keep parents in the loop?
- • A parent board by the front door with reminders and announcements
- • A monthly calendar and a weekly curriculum overview so you know what your child is learning
- • Photos and updates on our Facebook page
- • Emergency and weather closure alerts by text, email, phone call, and social media
- • An open door: parents are welcome to visit the classroom anytime after checking in at the front office
Personal devices stay home, and screen time is capped at 45 minutes a week.
Coming soon
These programs are planned but not running yet. We will update this page as each one starts.
Robotics & Coding
Problem-solving through age-appropriate robotics and coding activities.
Science & STEM Lab
Hands-on experiments and building challenges.
Special Math
Math foundations strengthened through games and problem-solving.
Cooking & Gardening
Measuring, mixing, planting, and watering.
Seasonal Clubs & Events
Themed weeks and special events through the year.
Questions parents ask about after-school care
Does ABC Early Learning Academy pick kids up from school?
Yes. ABC Early Learning Academy in Ennis provides school transportation both ways: school-age children can eat breakfast with us, then ride to school, and we pick them up from local schools in the afternoon. We are confirming routes school by school, so call us to check your child's school at enrollment.
What do kids do in after-school care?
After school, children ages 6 to 12 wash up, eat an afternoon snack cooked on-site, and get homework and reading time with teacher help. Then come enrichment activities such as art and games, plus free play and outdoor play until parents pick up, as late as 7:00 PM.
Is after-school care open on school holidays and summer break?
Yes. ABC Early Learning Academy stays open during most school breaks, including fall, winter, spring, and summer, with full-day care for school-age children. We close only on major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Full-day break care has its own weekly rate on our tuition page.
Can ABC help with a CCS scholarship for after-school care in Ennis, TX?
Yes, enrollment help is available. Texas says CCS child care scholarships can help pay for care for children from birth to age 12. Ask us about current CCS status. Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas decides eligibility and your copay. Our staff sit with you to complete the application and check that nothing is missing.
What if my child isn't riding with us on a given day?
Call the center as early as you can on any day your child won't ride, such as a sick day or an early pickup from school. Staff take attendance on every ride, just like in class, so a quick call keeps the afternoon pickup on schedule and every child accounted for.
How much is after-school care in Ennis, TX?
During school weeks, after-school care is $155 a week when paid on Monday ($190 published rate). On school breaks and in summer, full days are $190 a week when paid on Monday ($225 published). Afternoon snack is included, and referring a new student gets you 50% off your first week.
What time does after-school care end?
After-school care runs until we close at 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday, so you can pick up any time before then. If you're running late, call the center. Pickup between 7:00 and 7:15 PM carries a $10 fee, then $1 per minute, paid to the teacher who stays with your child.
Younger siblings? See preschool and Pre-K or all child care programs, compare weekly tuition, and read the full parent FAQ.