Looking for reliable and enriching after-school care in Camarillo, Ventura, or Oxnard? Whether you’re seeking academic support, creative enrichment, nature-based programs, or just a safe place for your child to unwind after the school day, we’ve rounded up top local options for families across the region. This After-School Care Guide includes school-based programs, nonprofits, and community organizations offering everything from STEM and the arts to recreation and leadership development. Explore the listings below to find the perfect fit for your family this school year.
📌 Are We Missing Your Favorites?
We will continue adding events, businesses, programs and resources throughout August and September. Check back often as the guide grows.
Submit a business or organization
Missing something? Email ShaylaH@Macaronikid.com.
Multi-Location After-School Care
- Boys & Girls Clubs – after-school programs at locations in Camarillo, Oxnard/Port Hueneme and Ventura, featuring homework help, arts, sports, leadership activities and other enrichment opportunities. These programs help children and teens develop new skills, discover their interests and connect with their community.
- YMCA – after-school childcare in Camarillo and Ventura, providing homework support, arts and crafts, sports, games and other enrichment activities. Children can learn, play and build friendships in a safe, supportive environment after school.
Jump To Your City
| ☀️ Camarillo | 🌊 Ventura | 🌴 Oxnard |
Camarillo
- Pleasant Valley School District Expanded Learning – offers free after-school care for qualifying students in Camarillo, with academic support, STEM activities, arts and crafts, group games and outdoor play. This enrichment program provides a safe and engaging environment for children after the school day ends.
- Coast 2 Coast Camp – Coast 2 Coast’s faith-based after-school program gives K–8th graders a safe place to enjoy homework help, crafts, games, daily chapel and Friday field trips. Extended care is also available on school holidays and teacher workdays.
- Shining Stars Preschool & Infant Center – Shining Stars Preschool & Infant Center offers before- and after-school care in Camarillo for children ages 5–12, featuring creative, age-appropriate enrichment activities in a nurturing environment. Transportation from select local schools is also available.
- Seven Cs Childcare Center (Camarillo Community Church) – before- and after-school care for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, including school transportation, homework time, snacks, arts and crafts, and indoor and outdoor activities. Its Christian childcare program also provides full-day care during school breaks and a summer program with field trips, sports and cooking activities.
Ventura
- Ventura Unified School District – offers several after-school programs throughout Ventura, including ELOP, ASES and PEAK, with homework help, sports, snacks, leadership development, arts, STEM and other enrichment activities. High school students can also participate in the district’s ASSETs program for academic support, career exploration and enrichment opportunities.
- Let Them Explore Enrichment Learning Center – hands-on after-school STEAM enrichment classes in engineering, robotics, science, Minecraft, chess, sewing, baking and more. These engaging programs encourage kids to explore their creativity, strengthen problem-solving skills and discover new interests.
- Ventura Wild – nature-based after-school programs for children ages 5–10 in Ventura, featuring outdoor exploration, climbing, shelter-building, crafts, storytelling and free play. Kids develop confidence, outdoor skills and a deeper connection with nature through hands-on adventures.
- Las Posas Children’s Center – after-school childcare until 6 p.m. at six Ventura Unified school campuses, with structured and recreational activities that support children’s social, emotional and physical development. Care is also available during school breaks, in-service days and most school holidays.
- Tutor Time of Ventura – before- and after-school care for children up to age 12, with planned activities, healthy snacks and homework help. Optional enrichment programs include music, Spanish, soccer, yoga, handwriting and advanced math.
- Buena Ventura KinderCare – before- and after-school care for children ages 5–12, including transportation to and from select Ventura schools. School-age children can enjoy homework time, creative projects and enrichment activities, with full-day care also available during school breaks.
Oxnard
- Oxnard School District Expanded Learning – offers a variety of free academic and enrichment opportunities for K–8 students throughout Oxnard. The Oxnard Scholars After School Program, funded through ASES, provides homework support, enrichment activities, a daily snack and supervised care from dismissal until 6 p.m. at all 20 district schools. Students can also explore STEM, robotics, visual and culinary arts, dance, fitness, leadership and more through short-term Burst Enrichment Courses. Additional hands-on activities are offered by community partners such as Art Trek, DIY Builders, Hip Hop Mindset and Parker Anderson Enrichment, while Spring Camp provides full-day programming during spring break.
- Rio School District Expanded Learning – offers after-school care from dismissal until 6 p.m. at all nine district campuses in the Oxnard and El Rio area. Its EXPLORE programs feature homework support, social-emotional learning, arts, music, sports, recreation and leadership activities, with offerings varying by school. Programs are staffed in partnership with Think Together at seven campuses, while district-run EXPLORE programs remain available at Rio Real and Rio Plaza. Enrollment is open throughout the year as space permits, with priority given to qualifying students.
- Oxnard Police Activities League (PAL) –free after-school recreation, education, enrichment and mentoring for Oxnard youth ages 7–18. Through its PAL Youth Center, Southwinds PAL, Youth Directors Council and sports programs—including boxing, basketball and soccer—participants can build confidence, leadership skills and positive relationships with police officers and community mentors.
- Catalyst Kids Fred Williams Center – before- and after-school care with homework support, academic enrichment, creative projects, physical activity and child-led recreation. Located at Fred L. Williams Elementary School, the center also offers subsidized childcare for eligible families.
- Santa Clara Elementary School’s Afterschool Care Program – provides supervised care for enrolled TK–8 students from dismissal until 6 p.m. Children receive homework time, outdoor play, snacks, crafts and structured enrichment activities, with optional programs offered by outside vendors.
- Tiny Sunshine Beams (Lemonwood/Eastmont) – bilingual before- and after-school care for children up to age 13 in Oxnard’s Lemonwood/Eastmont neighborhood. This licensed home-based childcare program combines academic support, creative activities and play-based learning in a welcoming environment.
- Childtime of Oxnard (Rio Lindo) – before- and after-school care for children through age 10, with engaging activities, electives and opportunities to learn and socialize. The center is open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and also provides full-day care during school breaks.
- Creative Little Thinkers Childcare (Port Hueneme) – before- and after-school care in Port Hueneme for children up to age 13, featuring play-based learning, bilingual activities, field trips and developmental enrichment. Flexible schedules, drop-in care and summer programs are also available.
![]() |
👉 Looking for our full Back-to-School Family Guide? There you’ll also find ideas for afterschool activities, care options, tutoring and academic resources, and free printables to help your family ease back into the school routine.
| Share the Love... |
When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!







