The Dolphin Center after-school child-care center has offered after-school supervision of Cold Spring students for the past decade. Although the Dolphin Center is operated by Cold Spring School, it is a self-supporting entity, relying upon the fees charged to parents for its operating expenses.

Any child attending CSS may attend the Dolphin Center, providing that parents have completed an enrollment agreement form agreeing to the conditions of participation. Currently, the Dolphin Center employs two co-directors, Cory Cordero-Rabe and Sandy Williams, supplemented by ten Westmont College students, who each work approximately 9 hours per week.

The Dolphin Center is primarily an outdoor program, encouraging non-competitive play and participation in structured games and sports. Counselors are encouraged to actively participate with children in art projects, board games, free play, and sport activities, rather than merely supervise these activities. There is a daily snack and a minimum of 20 minutes of homework or reading time each day.

At this time, the average daily attendance at the Dolphin Center is approximately 42 students. Children remain from 15 minutes to 3 1/2 hours each day, and parents are billed for the time each child is in attendance at a rate of $4.50 per hour. Hours of operation are from the end of the school day until 5:30 P.M.

Most days, the Dolphin Center will accept drop-in students. Parents are asked to notify the Dolphin Center by 1:30 P.M., so that the student may be added to the daily roll sheets, and will not become confused or upset waiting for a parent that is delayed. 

If parents have not arrived within 15 minutes of the after school dismissal of their child, and do not contact the Dolphin Center, s/he will automatically be checked into the Dolphin Center, and an attempt to contact parents will be made. There will be a normal charge for this service, from the time of school dismissal until the child is picked up (15 minutes minimum).

If you have questions or comments, please call Sandy or Cory, 969-5330.