Parents who have been dropping off their children early at Avonworth Elementary School will have to start participating in a daycare program through the school, or find somewhere else for their children to spend before-school time.

Superintendent Dr. Valerie McDonald said that parents who have to get to work have been dropping off their children as early as 8 a.m. School staff have been supervising the children, but that practice will have to stop, McDonald said, noting that the district is not a licensed daycare center.

In the past, the district offered the YMCA's Morning Care program, but attendance dwindled until the program was discontinued, McDonald said.

That program could be offered again, but the YMCA requires at least 16 children to be enrolled before it will operate the program at Avonworth Elementary. McDonald said that information about the program is being sent home to elementary school parents. If there is insufficient interest, parents who now drop off their children early will have to make other arrangements for their care.

McDonald said the program would be very similar to the after-school program the district currently offers. Parents will have until the holidays to notify the YMCA of their interest.

"We do understand that parents do have to get to work," McDonald said.