kidsLINK Afterschool Program: supporting working families
The kidsLINK Afterschool program is designed to provide an affordable and quality childcare option for working families. The program is run on-school sites from 3:30 pm - 5:45 pm, extending children's school day while their parents finish out the work day. Every child is given a free, nutritious snack, opportunity to run and play, and a wide variety of fun and engaging activities they can participate in.
Greater Gallatin United Way currently serves more than 1,500 kids everyday through our programming in 11 schools across Bozeman and Belgrade, and additionally we fiscally sponsor 12 other programs across the region.
Affordable:
The program costs $12 a day for a single student and $10 each/per day for siblings, about a third of the average price of childcare in Gallatin County. We are committed to supporting families in our area-- If the cost of the program is a barrier for you in any way, please apply for a scholarship or contact us for options.
Bozeman Families:
$12 per day for a single student. $10 each/per day for siblings.
Annual registration fee of $35 for one student or
$50 per family
Belgrade Families:
$12 per day for a single student. $10 each/per day for siblings.
$25 for one student and
$40 per family.
You will only be charged for the days that your child attends the program. Each month you will receive an invoice reflecting your child's previous month's attendance.
Convenient:
Programs take place on the school grounds directly after school until 5:45 pm. No more shuffling, no more bus rides.
kidsLINK Afterschool is available in all elementary schools in Bozeman. In Belgrade, kidsLINK Afterschool is available at Story Creek Elementary, Saddle Peak Elementary, and Belgrade Middle School. The Ridge View Elementary Afterschool Program is being run by the YMCA in partnership with us, please refer to their website for more information about how to enroll.
Enriching:
Greater Gallatin United Way is invested in youth success and early learning. This investment means we spend a lot of time and energy developing our kidsLINK Afterschool Program to offer children something that will impact their lives and education in a positive way. Here are some of the activities we offer in our programs:
- Tech Club
- Robotics
- Art Club
- Theatre Club
- Coding Classes
- Snapology
- Nutrition Education
- Homework Help
- Emotional Well-Being Support
- And More
When kids get to choose what they want to do, they feel empowered to learn.
The kidsLINK Afterschool staff is trained in various curricula: social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, health, well-being, academic enrichment, and STEM/STEAM activities. Many of our staff members are school-day employees at the elementary schools and are therefore very equipped and qualified to provide your children with an amazing experience.
Enroll:
We use an attendance and billing system called Procare. If you are already a kidsLINK family, and you have a Procare account, visit your Parent Portal www.myprocare.com to re-register your child(ren) for the fall. If you have any trouble accessing your account, let us know.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with us in the meantime to learn more about the value of the kidsLINK afterschool program.
Bozeman Programs:
New families may open a Procare Account here: New Family Open a Bozeman kidsLINK Procare Account.
Belgrade Programs:
New families may open a Procare Account here: New Family Open a Belgrade kidsLINK Procare Account.
Once you open an account, we will send you a confirmation letter with the next steps to enroll your child(ren).
Join our kidsLINK team!
There are opening for Program Coordinators, Support Staff and Roaming Substitute Staff. Click here for more information.
Scholarship Information
To work toward our goal of NO child being home alone after school, we offer full and partial scholarships to help families who could use extra support. Complete the form linked below to apply for a scholarship. Our team will review the application and get back to you with any questions we might have. If you have questions, please reach out to us by phone or email.
We want to thank First Security Bank and the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation for supporting afterschool scholarships for working families. If you would like to join in supporting the scholarship fund, please click here.
Contact Us
kidsLINK@greatergallatinunitedway.org
406-587-2194
Other Program Information
We're Here to Support Families
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for Montana's families working to balance professional responsibilities, child care, and changes to schooling.
We recognize the uncertainty families have about options for school-age children as we move into a new school year.
The ECCC (Early Childhood Community Council) and Southwest Montana COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disasters) are partnered to support families in Gallatin, Park, Lewis & Clark, Broadwater, Jefferson, Meagher, and Madison counties.
Together, they've created a website to connect families to programs who are offering out-of-school care options, and to provide local resources to ensure that the children in our region have a safe and healthy environment to learn and grow.
Greater Gallatin Childcare Providers
Do you have spots available in your program for school-aged children? Please fill out this form! With your permission, we will list your program information on our site to be advertised to local families. There is no cost to have your information on the website and you can update your program information at any time by resubmitting this form. Thank you for participating and working collectively to offer options to our community!
Employment Opportunities in Childcare
Follow this link to find current employment opportunities in childcare.
kidsLINK Staff
Greater Gallatin United Way Staff:
kidsLINK Program Director: Ben Frentsos- ben@greatergallatinunitedway.org Phone Number: (406) 206-5271
kidsLINK Operations Director: Amy Revious- amy@greatergallatinunitedway.org Phone Number: (406) 206-6971
Bozeman Schools:
Emily Dickinson Elementary School Coordinator: TBA Phone Number: (406) xxx-xxxx
Hawthorne Elementary School Coordinator: Joseph Barrett - joseph.barrett@bsd7.org Phone Number: (406) 206-9539
Hyalite Elementary School Coordinator: Jonathon Rudd - jonathon.rudd@bsd7.org Phone Number: (406) 545-2586
Irving Elementary School Coordinator: Kaylee Grote - kaylee.groye@bsd7.org Phone Number: (406) 206-9547
Longfellow Elementary School Coordinator: Annika Odt - annika.odt@bsd7.org (406) 545-2053/ Pick up (406) 451-5896
Meadowlark Elementary School Coordinator: LeAnne Grote - leanne.grote@bsd7.org Phone Number: (406) 534-0682
Morning Star Elementary School Coordinator: Baylee and Gabrielle - baylee.blake@bsd7.org Phone Number: (406) 206-6107
Whittier Star Elementary School Coordinator: Elizabeth Kennedy - elizabeth.kennedy@bsd7.org Phone Number: (406) 206-6436
Belgrade Schools:
Saddle Peak Elementary School Coordinator: Danitta Bell - dbell@bsd44.org Phone Number: (406) 578-0059
Story Creek Elementary School Coordinator: Crystal Davis - addavis@bsd44.org Phone Number: (406) 587-2194
Belgrade Middle School Coordinator: Kim Hohenstein - khohensteinbsd44.org Phone Number: (406) 539-1755