What must a school-age child care program do regarding its operation?

A school-age child care program is primarily designed to complement children's educational experiences while ensuring their safety and well-being. Therefore, being operated and staffed directly by the school is essential to create a cohesive environment that aligns with the school's educational goals and standards. This close association allows for seamless communication between educators and child care staff, ensuring that the program meets the specific needs of the students it serves.

When a program is directly operated by the school, it significantly benefits from the school's resources, staff training, and adherence to educational policies. This connection also facilitates better integration of the program into the school's overall curriculum and ensures that the children receive a consistent experience in both educational and care settings.

In contrast, operating independently from the school could create disparities in educational standards, and solely setting the structure by the owner may lead to inconsistency with regulatory requirements. Open enrollment, while beneficial for accessibility, does not directly pertain to the efficiency and effectiveness of the program's operations within the school system.