The community is invited to upcoming information sessions to learn about the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood & Community Services’ new Beyond the Bell pilot program. Beyond the Bell is a before- and after-school pilot program at 20 Fairfax County elementary schools that previously offered School Age Child Care (SACC). The pilot program is designed to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care in Fairfax County.  

NCS will host two virtual sessions to share information on the Beyond the Bell pilot. The community is invited to learn more and ask questions. Both sessions are via the Zoom platform and will present the same information. 

Session 1 (Morning) 

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Zoom Link: Https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83220536688  

Session 2 (Evening) 

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, 7-8 p.m.

Zoom Link: Https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81519627995 

Meeting details and additional resources/information may be found at Beyond the Bell Pilot Program - PublicInput. Meeting slides will be posted after the meetings.  

The Beyond the Bell pilot began October 1, 2025, transitioning 20 School Age Child Care (SACC) programs to a license-exempt model for the 2025–2026 school year while maintaining NCS’ commitment to best practices, safety and enriching programming. Operating under a local government Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) licensure exemption, Beyond the Bell expands access to high-quality, school-based child care by increasing enrollment capacity and strengthening staffing flexibility to better meet community needs. The goal of the pilot is to demonstrate that NCS can deliver the same high-quality care offered through SACC while reaching more families across Fairfax County. Implemented on a smaller scale, the pilot allows NCS to evaluate effectiveness, identify improvements and gather feedback to guide conversations about potential future expansion. 

“We are immensely proud of our SACC program and the trusted child care it provides to thousands of families across Fairfax County,” said Chris Scales, Division Director of Neighborhood & Community Services. “However, the long SACC waitlists highlight an ongoing need for affordable, safe and high-quality child care. Beyond the Bell will help meet that need by serving more children while still maintaining the standards families expect from NCS." 

The Beyond the Bell pilot will feature: 

• Expanded access: Increased enrollment in high-quality, school-based child care to better meet community needs. 
• High standards: NCS continues to implement robust safety protocols and facilitate age-appropriate, engaging activities under supervision of highly trained staff.
• Affordability: The sliding fee scale remains available; eligible federal/military subsidies and Child Care Assistance referrals continue to be honored or matched during the pilot.
• Ongoing evaluation: NCS will monitor outcomes and gather community feedback throughout the pilot.

Additional information is available at Beyond the Bell webpage and at Beyond the Bell Pilot Program - PublicInput.