A Day in the Life of Our School-Age After-School Program: What Parents Can Expect

When the final school bell rings, the day is far from over for our Shoreline Learning Center students. For many families searching for reliable after-school care in Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Austin, TX, knowing exactly how their child’s afternoon is spent makes all the difference. We believe transparency matters, so today we’re giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what a typical day in our school-age after-school program looks like — from pickup to pickup time.

Safe & Reliable After-School Pickup

Our afternoons begin where your child’s school day ends. Once dismissal begins, our trained staff members head out in Shoreline Learning Center vans to safely pick up students from several local elementary schools.

One van picks up students from Wells Branch Elementary before heading to Joe Lee Johnson Elementary, while another van collects students from Deepwood Elementary and Bluebonnet Elementary. After these routes are complete, all students are brought back to Shoreline Learning Center, where they’re greeted by our on-site teachers. One van then heads back out for a final pickup from IDEA Round Rock Tech on Greenlawn.

Safety, consistency, and communication are our top priorities during transportation, which is why families looking for after-school pickup programs near Round Rock and Pflugerville trust Shoreline.

Snack Time & Healthy Habits

Once all students are safely back at our center, we kick things off with a bathroom break and thorough handwashing — because healthy habits start early! Then it’s time for snack.

We provide a rotating daily snack menu that follows our food program guidelines and emphasizes healthy after-school snacks for kids. Each snack is designed to refuel growing bodies after a long school day and keep kids energized for the afternoon ahead.

After snack, it’s one more quick bathroom and handwashing break before transitioning into homework and activity time.

Homework Help, Free Play & Enrichment Centers

Homework time is structured but relaxed. Our staff is available to assist, encourage focus, and help kids build independence — a big reason parents love our after-school homework help program.

Once homework is complete, students rotate through free play and enrichment centers.

• Mr. T’s group often participates in organized sports and group games — with kickball reigning as the all-time favorite!

• Ms. Kaysie leads creative projects like playdough making, arts and crafts, and even introductory 3D printing activities, which kids absolutely love. Also, depending on the season, Ms Kaysie will lead the kids in a full theatre production that everyone gets to participate in.

These activities encourage teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving — key components of high-quality school-age childcare.

Cooking Class & LEGO® Lab: Learning Through Play

Around 4:00 PM, our IDEA Round Rock Tech students arrive, and one of our favorite parts of the day begins: Cooking Class or LEGO® Lab, which alternate weekly.

During Cooking Class, students participate in hands-on lessons focused on life skills and food exploration. We introduce kids to new flavors and ingredients while teaching essential kitchen basics like:

• Kitchen cleanliness

• Knife safety

• Reading and following recipes

This class consistently ranks as a student favorite and is a standout feature for families searching for enrichment-based after-school programs in Austin, Pflugerville, and Round Rock.

On LEGO® Lab weeks, students use our LEGO BricQ Essential kits to explore physics concepts like pushing, pulling, and motion. We also mix in LEGO bingo, guided builds, and free-play challenges to keep young minds engaged and learning through play.

Outdoor Play & Active Fun

By 5:00 PM, it’s time to get moving! Depending on the weather, students head outside for supervised outdoor play to burn off energy and enjoy fresh air.

If weather doesn’t cooperate, we transition indoors to our Kids Club or our massive indoor playscape, where kids stay active with organized games and free play. This flexibility is especially appreciated by parents looking for after school care that keeps kids active year-round.

Pickup & Wind-Down Time

Parents begin arriving for pickup throughout the final hour of the day. Whether we’re inside or outside, the atmosphere stays relaxed, engaging, and fun. We officially close at 6:00 PM, and every child leaves having learned, played, and connected with friends.

Looking for After-School Care in Round Rock, Pflugerville, or Austin?

We hope this gives you a clear picture of what your child experiences in our after-school program at Shoreline Learning Center. We’re always excited to welcome new families and grow our after-school community.

If you know someone searching for quality after-school care in Round Rock, Pflugerville, or Austin, TX, we’d love to connect. We also offer referral bonuses for enrolled families who help us grow!

📞 Call us today to learn more, schedule a tour, or ask about enrollment availability. We can’t wait to welcome your family to Shoreline!