Ages 3–12
Children’s Programs
ARC is the proud partner to Seattle Parks & Recreation for over 50 years. Together, we are one of the largest childcare providers in the state, creating opportunities and access for Seattle families where young people are safe to learn and grow.
2025-2026
After School Programs
After-school program offers licensed childcare for 5–12-year-olds in partnership with Seattle Parks & Recreation, providing a safe, engaging environment with arts, sports, outdoor play, and community-focused enrichment.
Indoor & Beyond
Seattle Preschool Program
Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) offers high-quality early learning for 3–5-year-olds, emphasizing emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development.
Outdoor Focused
Recreation Preschool
Nurtures children ages 3-5 in a safe, structured, play-based setting, supporting their emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development through art, science, dramatic play, outdoor exploration, and low teacher-child ratios.
Ages 3-6
Summer Camps
Recreation preschool summer camps are half-day programs that run 5 days a week. Learn more about what to expect to sign up before spots fill up across our two Seattle locations!
Ages 5-12
Summer Camps
Summer Camp for ages 5–12 offers licensed full-day weekly childcare (7 a.m.–6 p.m.) from June to August with changing weekly themes, structured activities like arts, games, science, and outdoor exploration.
Ages 3-12
Environmental Learning Camp
Environmental Learning Camp is a nature-focused summer day camp (ages 6–12) offering immersive outdoor exploration, habitat-based learning, arts, and hands-on environmental education.
Our Programs Provide
Safe Spaces
that support the physical, social and emotional growth and well-being of young people.
Access
to out-of-school-time activities, exposing them to new and exciting opportunities that promote literacy, math, and problem-solving skills during their most critical development years.
Quality Care
care with dedicated staff who are passionate about our mission and committed to learning and growth.
School Year Classrooms & Licensed Care
Over the course of the school year, ARC cares for, plays with, teaches, and learns with nearly 1,000 students every week in our after school programs and early learning classrooms. We provide services at both schools and community centers at 20 sites across Seattle.
We serve families and children from across Seattle who speak many different languages, and come from a vast array of cultures, lived experience and backgrounds. In ARC programs, we see our families form incredible connections, joy, community, and strength. We strive to meet the challenges we see families have across the sector by keeping our childcare as affordable, resource rich, and accessible as possible.
Licensed Summer Day Camp & Recreation Programs and Seattle Preschool Program
In the summer, we operate Environmental Learning Programs, Seattle Preschool Summer Extension Programs, and Summer Break Day Camps, serving young people ages 3-12. We serve more than 600 students every week of summer; last year, we worked with more than 1,300 kids and their families.
Building The Field: Youth at Work
In addition to our outstanding childcare programs, ARC takes great pride in educating the future generation of childcare teachers and leaders. Last summer, in partnership with Seattle Parks & Recreation, NAACP, and Urban League, we hosted the third cohort of teen interns through Youth at Work as Summer Day Camp Counselors to create pathways towards careers in childcare and education. In the three years of this program, a number of these teens have become year-round staff in our programs or come back to work for us during the summers before heading off to college.
Support ARC Programs
Your donation will ensure that every member of our community has access to high quality recreation activities, childcare, and lifelong learning opportunities. Please make a gift today.
