Summer Program
HANDS offers a full day summer program at 2 Elementary Schools with limited availability at each school.
The HANDS Summer Program is a contract rate for the entire summer. Starting around the first Tuesday after school gets out for the year, and concluding mid-August.
Each year we plan a themed fun filled summer with crafts, activities, guest speakers, water fun, and field trips around Great Falls.
We are closed the week of the 4th of July. Families are not charged for this week.
Family Vacation Week offered at no charge. Parents may choose an additional week that their child will not attend. Week must be chosen by 5/31 and provided in writing to our email: admin@handschildcare.org
About Us
HANDS is a non-profit corporation that offers before and after school childcare in 14 of the elementary schools in Great Falls since 1993.
We are available to all students 5 years to 12 years old. Each center provides a safe place for the children to go before and after school without ever leaving the school building.
Snacks are provided after school. Many activities are offered throughout the afternoon. Inside and outside play, board games, science experiments, arts and crafts, reading and homework time, as well as free play with board games and assorted age appropriate toys.
HANDS is licensed with the State of Montana and is governed by a Board of Directors.
School Year Program
HANDS is located in 14 elementary schools in the Great Falls area. Once a family signs up for the HANDS current school year program, they are able to use the program as much or as little as they need throughout that school year.
We also have All-Day Programs when there is no school. Only families that have registered for the current school year are eligible to reserve a spot for an All-Day Program.
All-Day Programs
HANDS offers all day programs at one or two schools on days when the school is closed but there are engineers in the buildings. A special sign up procedure is involved with a reservation fee charged.
All Day Program Reservation Fee - $5
A $5 reservation fee is charged per child and is used to secure the child's spot for the all-day-program. Reservation fees are non-refundable.
All Day Program Daily Rate - $25/day
All-day program days are charged at $25 per day. Once a child's spot has been reserved, the families account will be charged regardless of attendance.
All-Day Program Dates
- October: 2 Days in October for Teacher Meetings
- November: Wednesday before Thanksgiving
- December: School District Winter Break (Closed Christmas Eve & Day, and New Years Eve & Day)
- January: Martin Luther King Day
- February: Closed Presidents Day
- March/April: Spring Break and/or Easter Break
- May: HANDS is closed for Memorial Day
Our Partners
2024-2025 school year enrollment now open.