By Liz Premo
Atlantic News , February 24, 2000
[The following article is courtesy of the Atlantic News ]
KIDS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN -- And fun they do have at the
FUN Afterschool program in Hampton, as demonstrated by Joey, Justin and Kyle
[Atlantic News Photo by Liz Premo]
HAMPTON -- Question: When is an afterschool program more than just an afterschool program?
Answer: When it's FUN!
Since 1992, parents who have needed the services of a reliable, certified childcare program in the Seacoast area have come to rely on FUN. The FUN Afterschool program offers children from age five through their teens more than just a safe place to go when school gets out for the day.
Started in 1992, and originally housed in the First Congregational Church in Hampton, FUN has been at its convenient Stickney Terrace location since 1995. Inside the blue building, huge spacious rooms are well-stocked with art supplies, games, toys, puzzles, and more.
An area with tables and chairs is set aside where children can be creative with art supplies or enjoy snacks and games. There's a quiet room on the premises where older kids can go to study or do homework. There's also a cozy carpeted area with a couch, and plenty of books to read while relaxing after a busy afternoon romping in the outdoor play area.
A variety of supervised activities, snacks, a spacious outdoor play area, field trips (Canobie Lake, Jokers, and Happy Hampton, to name a few), and even a new pool for summertime swimming are all available through the FUN Afterschool program.
Along with the rest of the trained, dedicated FUN staff, directors Lori Sanderson and Mary Hollis are on hand to be sure that the youngsters who attend any of FUN's programs get the best care and attention possible. Everyone on the FUN staff is CPR-certified and trained in basic first aid, and they really care for the kids who come to FUN either before or after school, for the half-day KinderCare program, or for full days during school vacations.
"We've got the best staff in the world," says Hollis, "consistent and hard-working, and they love kids." The older kids who come to FUN get to help out with the younger ones, and many of them train in FUN's counselor-in-training program once they reach high school.
During the school year, the staff numbers around 15, increasing to 25-30 in the summertime. There are at least two adults present in each activity area at all times while children are on the premises, so parents can be confident that they are leaving their children under the competent supervision of a staff that truly cares about children.
Daily hours at FUN are Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rates are very reasonable, and registration for the upcoming summer program will begin in April, and in May for the school session beginning in September.
Stop by FUN at 40 Stickney Terrace in Hampton and meet Lori and Mary, take a tour of the facility and sign up your children for a fantastic before-, during-, and afterschool program that they will love and that parents can trust.