DATES, RATES
& TIMES
Dates of Operation
The Back Pack program follows the school year calendar for Fairfax County Public Schools. We will be closed on holidays as observed by FCPS as well as follow all emergency procedures put forth by FCPS. Please visit the FCPS website at www.fcps.edu to download the school year calendar and for emergency announcement information. We also encourage you to register to receive emergency alerts via email or text at their website. For more details, please see The Back Pack Calendar under "Days and Times" tab.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS, DELAYS, EARLY DISMISSALS & TEACHER WORK DAYS
The Back Pack follows the decisions of FCPS system with regard to delayed openings, cancellations, and early dismissals due to inclement weather. The Back Pack is open for all enrolled students for delayed openings due to inclement weather. On unexpected and scheduled early dismissal days only students enrolled to attend in the afternoons will be picked up early from school. On FCPS Teacher Work Days (scheduled prior to the start of school) The Back Pack is open from 6:30 am to 6:15 pm to care for only students who attend in the afternoons. Parents must register for each Teacher Work Day prior to the event.
FULL DAY CLOSINGS
When FCPS makes a decision to close school all day due to inclement weather, the Back Pack will be closed for the day as well.
DELAYED SCHOOL OPENINGS
On days when FCPS opens late, TBP will open at 6:30 am. The students will be transported to school at the delayed opening time. (TBP will make every effort to open at 6:30 am.) After Care students are welcome when delayed school openings occur (if space permits)
EARLY SCHOOL CLOSINGS
TBP will pick up students enrolled in After Care from school at the early dismissal time. TBP will be open until 6:15 pm. In the event of severe weather conditions, energy problems or other emergencies, TBP may contact parents to pick up students early.
TEACHER WORK DAYS
On Teacher Work Days (within FCPS’s official first and last day of school). The Back Pack offers all-day child care (6:30 am to 6:15 pm) at no additional cost as long as it falls on a day that your child would be attending the full-day program. This means, if you sign up for Tuesday and Thursday full-day child care and the teacher workday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, then it is included. In the event that a teacher workday falls on a day your child would not be attending The Back Pack, you may register for a spot, if there are spots available your account will be charged a $50 a day fee per child.
NOTE: No fee adjustments or refunds will be given for TBP closings due to snow, weather, energy problems, emergencies, unanticipated calendar changes, COVID-19 closures, early pick-ups or cancelled field trips.
Program Rates
2022/2023 Rates:
Before Care $235
After Care $395
Before & After Care $590
2023/2024 Rates:
Before Care $240
After Care $410
Before & After Care $605
Multiple Child Discounts
For children of the same household, rates are reduced by 10% for your second child, 20% for your third and fourth child.
Enrollment Fee
A non-refundable processing fee of $45.00 is required for each family’s enrollment. This fee is added to your account once enrollment is approved. There are no other administrative charges throughout the school year.
Non-Refundable Registration Deposit
A $100 security deposit is required for each child upon online registration. This deposit is non-refundable and it is applied to your child’s first month’s tuition.
Payment Details
Tuition fees are billed in 10 equal monthly installments from August through May. Fees are the same every month regardless of the number of program days in each month. Each month's tuition is billed in advance via email. Accounts must be paid in full prior to services for the next month. Tuition payments are due on the 20th of the preceding month. A late fee of $25 will be assessed if payment is received after the 5th of the month. There will be a $30 charge for all returned checks. Non-payment and delinquent accounts will result in the cancellation of all services.
Payment Options
· FREE and EASIEST way to pay is via https://my.smartcare.com/ or via the Smartcare for Parents app.
· ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) – You must complete and sign the authorization form which will allow for monthly payments to be made from your checking account, savings account, credit card, or debit card.
· PERSONAL CHECKS should be made payable to Silo Center Preschool.
· CASH should be handed directly to a program employee.
The Back Pack fee schedule is subject to change at the discretion of Silo Center Administration, or due to circumstances beyond our immediate control.
Days & Times
The Back Pack fee schedule is subject to change at the discretion of Silo Center Administration, or due to circumstances beyond our immediate control.
Days & Times
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The Back Pack operates Monday through Friday.
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Morning (Before) Care is held between 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM.
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Afternoon (After) Care is available from 4:00 PM - 6:15 PM.
2022/2023 CALENDAR
August 22nd First Day of FCPS & The Back Pack
September 2nd Labor Day FCPS & The Back Pack Closed
September 5th Labor Day FCPS & The Back Pack Closed
October 5th Yom Kippur FCPS & The Back Pack Closed
October 10th PD* - The Back Pack OPEN 6:30 am - 6:15 pm
October 24th Diwali FCPS & The Back Pack Closed
October 28th FCPS End of Quarter – 2-hour early release – The Back Pack OPEN until 6:15 pm
October 31st PD/TW* - The Back Pack OPEN 6:30 am - 6:15 pm
November 8th Election Day FCPS & The Back Pack Closed
November 11th PD* - The Back Pack OPEN 6:30 am - 6:15 pm
November 23rd – 25th Thanksgiving Break - FCPS & The Back Pack CLOSED
December 19th – Jan. 2nd 2023 FCPS & The Back Pack CLOSED
January 3rd FCPS & The Back Pack Resume
January 16th Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - FCPS & The Back Pack CLOSED
January 25th FCPS End of Quarter – 2-hour early release – The Back Pack OPEN until 6:15 pm
January 26th & 27th TW* The Back Pack OPEN 6:30 am - 6:15 pm
February 20th Presidents' Day - FCPS & The Back Pack CLOSED
March 2nd FCPS 2-hour early release – The Back Pack OPEN until 6:15 pm
March 3rd PD* - The Back Pack OPEN 6:30 am - 6:15 pm
April 3rd– 7th Spring Break - FCPS & The Back Pack CLOSED
April 13th FCPS 2-hour early release – The Back Pack OPEN until 6:15 pm
April 14th PD/TW* - The Back Pack OPEN 6:30 am - 6:15 pm
May 29th Memorial Day - FCPS & The Back Pack CLOSED
June 16th Last Day of FCPS & The Back Pack – FCPS Closes
*TW= Teacher Workday
*PD= Professional Development Day
Please Note: Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) last day is Friday, June 16, 2023. The last day of service for The Back Pack (TBP) will be Friday, June 16, 2023. Should inclement weather dictate that school days are extended, TBP will NOT provide service beyond Friday, June 16, 2023. This policy is greatly due to the fact that *Camp Whatakid will still begin as scheduled on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. NO refunds will be given for any days that are scheduled by FCPS outside of the original schedule which is posted at the beginning of the school year. Should FCPS determine to end school early and dismiss students before Friday, June 16, 2023 due to unused inclement weather days, the last day of service at TBP will coincide with FCPS’ newly determined official last day of school. In the past, FCPS has changed unused inclement weather days into additional Teacher Work Days at the end of the school year. The only Teacher Work Days that are serviced by TBP are those scheduled on the original FCPS calendar posted at the beginning of each school year. Ex. If students are dismissed early and June 15 & 16, 2023 are changed into Teacher Work Days, TBP will NOT provide service on those days.
*Camp Whatakid, the summer at the Silo Center, is a summer camp program available for rising Kindergartners through rising 7th graders. A separate registration is required for this camp. For more information, please visit: www.campwhatakid.com
Typical Daily Schedule
Although no day will be truly typical at The Back Pack, it is beneficial to establish daily routine. Every day is packed with activities, fun, and excitement. The students move from one activity to the next, while receiving a balance between fun and learning in the many activities, and events at The Back Pack. At the end of an active eventful day, most students are anxious for a good night's rest.
Before School Activities
6:30 - 7:00 am
Good morning! Indoor playground, games, homework
7:00 - 8:15 am
Free choice time, computer time, group games, arts & crafts, board games, indoor sports, playground time
8:15 - 8:45 am
Prep for transport to School
8:25 - 8:55 am
Students are bused to their schools, Have a Great Day!
After School Activities
3:30 - 4:15 pm
Attendance, check in, outdoor playground/ games or homework time
4:15 - 4:35 pm
Relax and chat at snack
4:45 - 5:30 pm
Each afternoon students enjoy a variety of high-quality programs; Clubs, Pow Wow, Activities, Workshops, Movies.
5:30 - 6:15 pm
Indoor/ outdoor playground or a favorite group game in the atrium till parents arrive
6:15 pm
Time to go home - see you tomorrow!