After school programs play an important role for families in Palm Coast, FL. These programs provide safe spaces where children can learn, play, and grow outside of regular school hours.
With several options in Palm Coast, it’s valuable to know what’s available and what each program can offer our children.
1) Sunshine Academy
We got to see Sunshine Academy up close and noticed it has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The staff greeted us warmly and seemed to know the children well. The classrooms are bright and have plenty of age-appropriate toys and learning materials.
Sunshine Academy offers after school care for a wide age range, including programs for preschoolers, pre-K, and school-age kids. They have structured activities as well as supervised free play. They even offer summer camps and drop-in care if our schedules ever change.
The academy is nationally accredited, which gives us confidence in their teaching standards and safety practices. Both of their locations in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach are licensed to care for large groups of children, making it easier for families in different parts of town to attend.
Communication is clear and easy through their main phone number, and parents can visit their website to get more information or start the enrollment process.
Rating: 4.6 (18 reviews)
Location: 1230 Palm Coast Pkwy NW, Palm Coast, FL 32137
Contact: (386) 445-2822
Website: Visit Website
2) Happy Stars Academy
We recently visited Happy Stars Academy and noticed a friendly atmosphere right away. The staff greeted us warmly, and we saw students of many different ages busy with hands-on activities. The teachers encourage positive attitudes and respectful behavior every day.
This center offers a multilingual program, and we saw lessons happening in more than one language during our tour. Their curriculum blends academic topics with fun, like arts, music, and outdoor play. There’s a strong focus on helping kids build social skills.
Meal times include organic food and filtered water. Parents we spoke with appreciated the healthy approach. The academy supports kids with individual speech therapy sessions if needed, which is helpful for children who may need extra support.
The academy accepts children from toddlers up to school-age. It has a secure environment, and we saw several safety measures in place. Everything felt organized and clean.
Rating: 4.9 (52 reviews)
Location: 1400 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell, FL 32110
Contact: (386) 313-6124
Website: Visit Website
3) The Learning Experience – Palm Coast
We noticed right away that The Learning Experience stands out for its friendly staff and happy environment. The classrooms feel safe and welcoming, and the kids always appear busy and engaged in fun, hands-on activities.
Their curriculum, L.E.A.P. (Learning Experience Academic Program), covers a range of subjects. They use characters like Bubbles, Phoebe, and Lionstein to bring each lesson to life, making the activities feel exciting and meaningful for young children.
This center keeps parents in the loop. Their smartphone app sends photos, monthly newsletters, and updates about our child’s daily development. Community events and ongoing communication help us feel involved in everything our child is learning.
Children can start as infants and stay through preschool, so the program grows with each child. The focus is on both academics and social skills, helping children get ready for school and everyday life.
Rating: 5 (1 review)
Location: 15 Market Ave, Palm Coast, FL 32164
Contact: (888) 991-4222
Website: Visit Website
4) J&L Learning Academy
We visited J&L Learning Academy and found it to be a welcoming daycare and learning center for young children. The classrooms felt bright and organized, with a friendly team guiding the kids. The environment is designed to help children grow both academically and socially.
The staff have Child Development Associate credentials and go through background checks, which reassured us about the level of care. Kids participate in fun, hands-on activities that support learning shapes, colors, letters, and numbers. The curriculum is focused on letting children learn through play, rather than just memorizing information.
The academy works with children from infancy up to age eight. They use programs like Funshine Online and Creative Curriculum, mixing learning with play. Kids collaborate on group activities and enjoy time both indoors and outside.
The staff focus on each child’s needs to get them ready for Kindergarten. There’s a clear effort to make sure the children feel safe and encouraged every day.
Rating: 4.7 (9 reviews)
Location: 3 Florida Park Dr N, Palm Coast, FL 32137
Contact: (386) 627-8585
Website: Visit Website
5) Flagler County Youth Center
At the Flagler County Youth Center, we noticed right away how much effort goes into making it feel welcoming and safe. The center is set up by young people, for young people, and it shows in the activities they offer.
There are regular programs throughout the year. We saw groups playing games, participating in workshops, and spending time with friends in a space that is always supervised.
This spot works well for students looking for a place to relax or get involved after school. The atmosphere is friendly, and staff are available to help if anyone needs anything.
Rating: 4.5 (25 reviews)
Location: 5510 E Moody Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32164
Contact: (386) 437-7540 ext. 3157
Website: Visit Website
6) Kid City USA – Palm Coast
When we visited Kid City USA in Palm Coast, we noticed a friendly and safe environment right away. The staff are welcoming and seem to genuinely care about every child. Kids from ages 6 weeks to 12 years can participate, and parents can choose from daycare, preschool, and before and after school programs.
The before and after school care really stood out to us. It gives parents more flexibility by offering care from early morning until late afternoon. The center focuses on hands-on activities and a strong curriculum, which helps kids feel ready for kindergarten and elementary school.
The program supports social, emotional, and cognitive development for every child. There is a clear effort to respect families’ backgrounds and beliefs, and they encourage parents to be involved. The atmosphere felt home-like, and children were engaged in a variety of literacy and educational activities.
Rating: 4.1 (21 reviews)
Location: 515 Palm Coast Pkwy SW, Palm Coast, FL 32137
Contact: (386) 445-0834
Website: Visit Website
7) Miss Teresa’s Home Day Care
When we visited Miss Teresa’s Home Day Care, we noticed how calm and inviting the space felt. The staff greeted us with care and answered questions about their after-school options. Children seemed comfortable and happy, spending their time in well-kept play areas and cozy rooms.
There are a range of activities for kids after school, focusing on both learning and play. The environment made it easy for children to do homework or join in quiet games with their friends. It felt like a safe place where kids could wind down after a busy school day.
Communication was clear between staff and parents. The team was helpful about daily routines and pick-up times. They also made sure to keep parents informed about their child’s progress and any important updates.
Rating: 4.4 (7 reviews)
Location: 17 Kasbah Pl, Palm Coast, FL 32164
Contact: (386) 437-8308
8) Kid City USA – Bunnell
We noticed Kid City USA in Bunnell has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere as soon as we walked in. The space is bright and organized, helping the kids move from one area to another with ease. The staff greeted us with a smile and seemed engaged with the children.
Kid City USA provides after school care, preschool, and childcare services, which feels helpful for busy families. We saw organized activities for kids of different ages, giving each child time to play and learn safely. The after school program seemed structured, with time given for homework and relaxation.
The facility was clean during our visit. The classrooms were well-kept, and security procedures were clearly in place at the entrance. The staff communicated well with parents, keeping everyone updated on how the day was going.
Rating: 4.8 (95 reviews)
Location: 1003 E Moody Blvd A-B, Bunnell, FL 32110
Contact: (386) 437-0625
Website: Visit Website
9) Kumon Math and Reading Center of Palm Coast
When we stopped by Kumon Math and Reading Center of Palm Coast, we noticed the welcoming environment right away. The space is set up to help kids focus and stay comfortable as they work on math and reading skills.
Kumon uses a special method where each child starts with an assessment. This lets the instructor make a lesson plan just right for them. Students work quietly at their own pace, getting support when they need it.
Parents told us their children became more confident with homework after joining Kumon. The program helped their kids improve in reading and math, but also built habits like focus and responsibility. The staff explained how Kumon reduces test anxiety and homework stress, which many appreciate.
The instructors track progress and talk with parents about how their children are doing. This center feels serious about helping every student do their best.
Rating: 4.9 (9 reviews)
Location: 160 Cypress Point Pkwy Suite A-206, Palm Coast, FL 32164
Contact: (386) 597-2855
Website: Visit Website
10) Creative Academy of the Performing Arts
When we visited Creative Academy of the Performing Arts, we noticed right away how much they focus on helping young kids develop confidence through creative activities. The classrooms are welcoming, and everything is built around the idea of learning through music, dance, and performance.
We saw children singing, playing instruments, and participating in group activities. The staff put safety and communication as a top priority.
Parents get daily updates about what their children did each day, which helps keep everyone in the loop. The academy also takes care to provide healthy meals and snacks.
Rating: 4.8 (5 reviews)
Location: 1410 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell, FL 32110
Contact: (386) 313-5029
Website: Visit Website