FKO Continues to Offer Community Playgroup, Rise & Shine

Special to the Transcript

For Kids Only Afterschool (FKO) is excited to share that its highly impactful community playgroup, Rise & Shine, has officially resumed as of October 1st. This vital program has quickly become a cornerstone for families with young children ages 0 to 5. Thanks to generous grant funding from anonymous donors and the Mass Cultural Council, FKO is able to continue offering these enriching opportunities to local families.

FKO’s Rise & Shine program was launched in the spring of 2023 as a 6-week pilot project, responding to the urgent need for early childhood socialization and interactive play opportunities. After an overwhelmingly positive response from the community, FKO committed to extending the program throughout the 2023-2024 school year. From October 2023 through May 2024, Rise and Shine welcomed over 300 families to its facility for enriching playgroup sessions.

The program’s success underscores a critical need within the community, particularly in Massachusetts, where the cost of childcare is the highest in the nation. Many parents and caregivers face difficult decisions, with some opting to leave the workforce, while others rely on extended family or friends for childcare. In response, Rise & Shine offers a flexible, drop-in option that alleviates the strain on overburdened daycare and preschool waitlists, providing a much-needed resource for infants, toddlers, and their caregivers.

“Our primary goal with Rise & Shine is to create a nurturing environment where young children and their caregivers can engage in meaningful social interaction and play,” said Ashley Asquith, Program Lead for Rise & Shine. “With this grant funding, we can continue to provide a welcoming space that fosters early development, exploration, and creativity.”

The playgroup spaces are equipped with engaging learning materials tailored to the unique needs and interests of infants and toddlers. The environment is designed to promote exploration, creativity, and cognitive development in a fun and supportive setting, while providing a much-needed opportunity for socialization among children and their caregivers.  Additionally, through an ongoing partnership with Project Play, a parent-led initiative in Winthrop aimed to provide social and creative programming to young children and their caregivers, Rise & Shine will also include gross motor play in the gymnasium each day.

Deborah Kneeland Keegan, Executive Director of FKO, expressed her gratitude for the grants, stating, “This funding will allow us to maintain the level of service our families have come to rely on. We are excited to continue offering this essential resource to the community.”

For more information about Rise & Shine or to learn how to get involved, please visit https://fkoafterschool.org/rise-and-shine/ or contact Ashley Asquith at aasquith@fkoafterschool.org.

For Kids Only Afterschool (FKO) is a leading provider of high-quality afterschool north of Boston. With nearly forty years of experience, FKO programs offer safe and nurturing environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive beyond regular school hours.