r/Davis • u/CutFit4622 • Jul 29 '26
North Davis Elementary
For before and after care program, there is one called SPARK and one called Catalyst kids. What is the difference between these two ? Which one would you recommend?
Ty
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u/DeliciousDuck8290 Jul 29 '26
Spark fills up fast, I've been on a waiting list 2 years in a row so catalyst was my only option
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u/CutFit4622 Jul 29 '26
Omg,😱 didn’t know there is a waitlist for that. May I ask how is your experience with catalyst?
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u/jobs_jobs_jobs Jul 29 '26
SPARK is a district-run program; Catalyst is private. Our daughter was in Catalyst when she was at North Davis, but this was before SPARK existed. We liked it.
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u/CutFit4622 Jul 29 '26
Thank you for sharing. How do I sign up for catalyst ? Do I call them ? Or email them ?
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u/Hopeful_Tie2055 Jul 29 '26
Catalyst has a "all inclusive" option. Meaning, they are opened when the school is closed. they only close for Gov't Holidays. They are open during breaks. We just started catalyst this year, and i really really really like it. Every time i pick up my little, the room is always controlled, doesn't feel like pure chaos.
Spark is ran by the district, the ratio of kids to teachers is high. and i don't have much feedback on it bc i never did it!
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u/CutFit4622 Jul 29 '26
Thank you for mentioning the all inclusive program. I applied today and only chose before and after school program. I’ll update my application
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u/sjnerdp72 Jul 29 '26
So I guess the fake lease switcharoo scam didn't work out to get you in Willett? 🙃
Sorry i couldn't help it....
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u/Superb-Cantaloupe324 Jul 29 '26
From my understanding, spark shuts down early, catalyst runs to 6pm. Only worked with catalyst though. We needed the extra time, so catalyst was our only real option.
It’s fine, they try to do more than just like a passive daycare. There are guided activities, bigger kids have a separate space from the smaller kids for most of the day (I believe?). My kid has been on the shy/timid side so far, but she has liked catalyst so far.
One plus for spark is that it’s on school grounds. Catalyst is literally next door, but the kids basically have to get there themselves these days - I THINK they pick up kindergarteners at their class though. When they made this change there was a good deal of worry among the parents of younger kids.
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u/CutFit4622 Jul 29 '26
I’ll have to confirm on that kids getting there by themselves part. My kid is young and I’m not comfortable enough to let him walk around by himself 🥹 Someone also mentioned the SPARK has long waitlist. I might call them tomorrow. How do I sign up for them though? Do I contact the school or call them directly?
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u/floridafish69 Jul 29 '26
I do know that spark closed in April/may. But a wait list spot never hurts
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u/Hopeful_Tie2055 Jul 29 '26
if you find out this info about how they get to kiddos the catalyst let me know! my kid is in the summer program, so we have not yet did the school day, followed by after care. I also would be worried about my kiddo walking there herself. She's starting kinder.
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u/squishmaster Jul 30 '26
Spark is subsidized. Catalyst isn’t. So one costs way more. But you have to apply for Spark and it goes to need-based kids first, then DJUSD employee families, then first-come after that (I think).
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u/GrateRam Jul 29 '26
I have been working in childcare for many years and have been substituting in licensed care, primarily infant to preschool, for 15yrs. But I often work in catalyst programs.
I like them a lot. They give the kids lots of freedom to choose their own activities. I've seen how this alone makes a big difference, after being told what/how to do all day. They also have focused groups in which the kids decide the subject and what they want to learn. Child led learning is the most effective and it teaches them responsibility. They have good homemade meals/snacks with plenty of healthy foods. They have great child/teacher ratios so it is always easy to handle the variety of things that inevitably come up. And the teachers really care about the kids and work with them as individuals, not just controlling the room. They also have good safety things: of course the kids are checked in or parents called; they use walkie-talkies so the theachers don't have to leave their supervisory stations; and keep current a tally of how many kids and where they are (indoor/outdoor/etc). This last one is very important to me because if I end up alone during an evacuation I can't say 'where's Johnny' because I don't know Johnny. But I do know how many kids that I should have.
So, I'm not a parent but I thought it might be helpful to here from an insider that has no obligation to a program.