About Our Program

Welcome to the BASE Programs

What is BASE?

The Before, After School and Summer Enterprise (BASE) Programs are designed to provide safe, quality, affordable group care in the school setting; whereby each individual child is enriched with various experiences conducive to their academic, social, and physical development.

The History of B.A.S.E.

The after school programs were initiated by working parents of elementary aged children. It was their feeling that this type of program would best serve their needs and the needs of their children. The phenomenon swept the country and now there are programs established across the nation. Many programs have expanded to include before school, after school, vacations, and summer programs.

Douglas County Schools implemented the group care programs in the mid 1990s, as the District and the community saw the need for programs to be offered. The programs were set up geographically and offered to all students of Douglas County. The programs have grown and are now offered in nearly all of the District's elementary schools.

Goals

• • BASE Program services will be convenient, affordable, and responsive to community needs.

  • BASE Programs will be committed to hire and continually train quality staff, who work directly with children, building strong and positive relationships in a safe and caring environment.

  • BASE Programs will support the District goal of having 95% of our students meeting grade level standards by engaging in age appropriate reading, writing and mathematics activities several times a week.

  • BASE Programs will provide a variety of age appropriate recreational enrichment activities for children.

• BASE Programs are self funded and self-supported.

• The BASE Program will strive to establish a cooperative environment where children learn social skills, develop their character and self-esteem, learn to appreciate diversity, become leaders, and have FUN!!

2025- 2026 Tuition Rates:

 Buffalo Ridge Child Care:  Tax Id # 84-6011446

 The Douglas County School District requires a yearly registration fee from each family.

 2025-2026 Yearly Family Registration Fee........$0 this fee has been waived for the 25-26 school year.

                             Before School…………………………$14.00/day

Late Registration…...$17.00/day (Signed up after Wed. the week before at midnight)

Unscheduled drop in care.........$19.00/day (day of care)

After School……………………………$15.00/day 

      Late Registration…...$18.00/day (Signed up after Wed. the week before at midnight

Unscheduled drop in care ........... $20.00/day (day of care)

School Break full day……….$35.00 + Field Trip Entrance Fee + $7 Transportation Fee, (additional fees assessed for extra programs)

            Late Registration/drop in care……….$39.00/day (Signed up after Wed. the week before at midnight) (additional fees assessed for field trips/extra programs)

           Unscheduled drop in care (day of care) $41.00/day (additional fees assessed for field trips/extra programs) 

School Break Field trip…amount will be based on the entrance fee (or amount noted on calendar)

+ $7 Transportation Fee (additional fees assessed for extra programs)

Late pick up fee.......$3.00 per minute

Primary Contact

Paul.Brandt@dcsdk12.org

Paul Brandt

Cell/ Main Number 720-880-8155 BEST NUMBER

Office Phone: 303-387-5822

BASE Director

Email: Paul.Brandt@dcsdk12.org

B.A.S.E. Frequently Asked Questions

What does B.A.S.E. stand for?

A: Before and After School Enterprise

Is B.A.S.E. licensed as a childcare provider?

A: Yes, we are licensed through the Colorado Office of Early Childhood / Child Care Licensing and Administration as a School-Aged Child Care Program.

Are B.A.S.E. staff Douglas County School District employees?

A: Yes, all B.A.S.E. staff members are Douglas County School District employees.

Do B.A.S.E. employees the same background checks as teachers?

A: Yes, all B.A.S.E. employees, including seasonal / temporary staff, receive a criminal record check through Colorado Bureau of Investigation. In addition to a criminal record check, a review of the State Department’s automated system to determine if the employee is the subject of a report of child abuse or neglect.

My child is going to be a kindergartener next year, when can my child start with BASE?

If you have a Kindergartener, he or she can start with the BASE program the first day of School in August. 

What is the B.A.S.E. work organization / chain of command?

A: Our B.A.S.E. Department is part of Business Services. Our Director, Area Managers, and the Building Principals oversee B.A.S.E. Programs and supervise B.A.S.E. Directors. Program Managers lead and manage the operations of programs available at each school, and Managers, Assistant Managers, and Senior Programs Leaders meet or exceed the School-Age Director qualifications required by Office of Early Childhood / Child Care Licensing and Administration. B.A.S.E. Managers supervise Assistant Managers, Senior Program Leaders Program Leaders, and/or Program Aides. 

What are the benefits of accreditation?

Please go to BASE Website and scroll down to "Accreditation" Tab for more information:

https://www.dcsdk12.org/base

What are the tuition rates?

A: Rates are set by site, and vary by program. Contact your B.A.S.E. Program for more information

How are our B.A.S.E. programs funded?

A: Our programs are self-funded and rely solely on tuition payments provided by parents. Expenses include all labor costs, including salary and benefits, supplies and materials, technology, utilities, custodial and maintenance costs, licensing fees, and field trip costs (transportation, entrance fees).

Does B.A.S.E offer any financial assistance?

A: We have fiscal agreements with CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) which is facilitated by Douglas County Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program. Speak with yourB.A.S.E. Program Manager for information about your site.

What ages of children does your programs serve?

A: School Aged Child care (Before and After School) Children shall be a minimum 5 years, 0 months and a maximum 13 years, 0 months of age. Children who are four years old and eligible to enter kindergarten during the 2017-2018 school year may access the program no earlier than the first day of kindergarten class. We have three pre-kindergarten full-day programs, located at Coyote Creek Elementary, Cougar Run Elementary and Mountain View Elementary. Children shall be a minimum 3 years, 9 months to attend our Pre-K programs.

Are there other eligibility requirements?

A: Yes. Children shall be enrolled in the Douglas County School District. Priority enrollment will be given to students who are enrolled in the school where the program is housed. Children shall comply with behavioral expectations as indicated in B.A.S.E. parent handbook.

Do you serve children with special needs?

A: Yes. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provide that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, and denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under Douglas County School District activities and programs.

The B.A.S.E. Manager may request to meet with the family and school team members who have knowledge of a child with special needs prior the first day of attendance. The purpose of the meeting is to develop a support plan to outline reasonable accommodations and ensure the safety and well being of the child.

What if my child is prescribed medication, which needs to be administered while he/she is attending B.A.S.E.?

A: Please communicate your child’s health needs with the Manager prior to the first day of attendance to ensure our team has the necessary training to address your child’s health needs. We also need a current medication release from the child’s doctor in order to administer medication. All medications will be stored in a locked area, unless it is emergency medication (epi-pen’s, inhalers, for example). Contact your B.A.S.E. Program for the correct forms and to discuss your child’s needs.

How can I get information about a specific B.A.S.E. Program and what is offered?

A: Access our BASE Contact List. Most of our sites have important information including parent handbooks, enrollment forms, activity calendars, and contact information available on the school’s website.

Do programs remain open on days that the school is closed and on In-Service / Professional Development Days, when teachers are working and students are not in school?

A: Yes, on most days. We operate a “Full Day” program on most In-Service / Professional Development days, as well as seasonal breaks such as Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring Breaks. Check your B.A.S.E. calendar and / or B.A.S.E. parent handbook to see when your B.A.S.E. program is open. 

If I have a concern or complaint regarding a particular B.A.S.E. program, whom do I contact?

A: Please direct all concerns and commendations at the program level. If the Program Manager does not address the matter in a satisfactory manner, parents may contact the next level listed in the parent handbook, or contact the school principal.

If I want to report a licensing violation whom do I contact?

A: Please contact Office of Early Childhood / Child Care Administration and Licensing at:

1575 Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado 80203

Phone: (303) 688-4825