The Avonworth School District has come up with a solution to the problem faced by parents who need before-class care for their children.

Starting in January, the district had discontinued its practice of allowing parents who work to drop off their children at the elementary school as early as 8 a.m. The acton was taken on the advise of the solicitor, who said Avonworth was not-licensed to provide daycare.

The sudden action has left parents in a bind, however.

Elementary school principal Dr. Darlene Tartaglione told board members Monday that the Morning Care Program would begin Feb. 1. She said that originally there were about 17 parents interested in the program, but that only eight have agreed to participate so far. The program previously had been discontinued because of a lack of interest.

Tartaglione said that parents should have received notice from the school about the program and reported that the YMCA is looking for staff members.

"This has been a tremendous strain," parent Jamie Lamperski said at the board’s work session last week.

Lamperski said that the decision caused parents to choose between their children's safety and being at work on time. He told board members that the district’s 2009-10 kindergarten handbook says that before-school care will be provided free of charge.

While officials work at deleting that statement from the handbook, parents will be able to take advantage of a YMCA program in the mornings.

According to Janet Ambrass of the North Boroughs YMCA, the cost for full-time care, which is five days per week, is $145 per month, per child. Part-time care, one to three days per week, costs $120 per month.

Tartaglione said that parents interested in registering their children for the program should call the YMCA.