Tulsa Resource Center Helps Parents Plan Summer Options For Kids

Carrie Netherton, 918 Moms.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- School is out in less than two months, so it's time for parents to start thinking about what to do with the kids during the summer.

Summer camps and child care options are filling up fast.

Reading books, showing their artistic side, getting a little exercise, just a few things kids like to do in the summer while school is out.

But for working parents like Paige Whalen, whose has two children, trying to find something to entertain the kids, all day long, is difficult.

"Finding something that a 5 year old would enjoy doing as well as a 10 year old, so finding that one program where they could both attend is probably the biggest issue," she said.

Paige started doing her research early, looking at schools and camps. She found an option fit her location, schedule and budget.

"Goes full time, it is all day, but they plan every week, there's some kind of theme that's happening so we know what to expect," she said.

Paige used the Child Care Resource Center, which has a free service to help parents find child care based on their needs.

"We can do the search for you, a lot of child cares are ready for the summer onslaught and so they expect to have full time care for those months," Melinda Belcher, with the Child Care Resource Center, said.

The Child Care Resource Center says there's all kinds of options for child care in the summer. The biggest mistake parents make, however, is they wait too long to start doing their research. That's why you have to start now.

"The most important thing is when you walk in, is it someplace you want to stay all day? Are the teachers talking to the students in a great manner?" Belcher said.

It's also a good idea to visit the program to see if it's something that your child will enjoy. That's what Paige Whalen did, and feels much better knowing her kids summer will be full of activity.

Parents also looking for summer child care can head to the Week of the Young Child Fun Fair this Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Tulsa Community Center's West Campus.

Parents can talk to several child care providers at the event, plus there's all kinds of activities and resources available for families.

There will be some child care providers there that will be doing some fun activities and it would be a good opportunity to meet those providers," Lindsey Asher, with Fun Fair, said.

The Week of the Young Child Fun Fair is a free event.

For more information, check out 918moms.com.