The basement of the Old South Methodist Church in Reading houses an after-school day-care program called Clock Tower Kids. This is not your typical tight-scheduled day care program; the only similarity to others is an assisted study time. Program director Diane Haverty, who has more than 25 years of experience, designed a program that would allow children to have freedom to decide in a guided environment.
The children learn cooperation, sharing and socialization, as the open space combines all ages. Activities include making crafts from recycled materials, games, play at imagination stations and cooking lessons, to name a few. The children are invited to optional educational based field trips. In the past they visited the Ipswich Wildlife Sanctuary to learn about maple sugaring and Lowell Mills to learn about the local history of our industrial nation.
Most important, however, is Clock Tower Kids community service efforts. Diane feels it is important to teach children about their part in society and the world. For example, the children were encouraged to participate in a fund-raiser after the Haitian earthquake, as well as the annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The church itself has one of the largest food pantry and food donation centers in the area, and the children often assist with sorting.
The program picks up children from school, and also has prearranged pickups for those with after-school activities.
Clock Tower Kids is a ministry of the Old South United Methodist Church and it is open to all regardless of religious preference. This staff is mature, with years of experience in child care, and receive annual continuing education as required by the state. There are never more then 30 children in the program at a time, so early registration is important.