As kids have started heading back to class, several programs in the area have opened up to make sure your child has a safe place to go before and after school.

These programs are also offering academic help, and a chance for your kids to do some fun activities and make new friends.

For one Harrisonburg program, Second Home, doors open at 5:45 a.m. for you to drop your kids off.

You can also bring your kids there from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. after school.

Second Home Executive Director Patty Sensabaugh said the program started in order to provide a place of safety to make sure kids are not going home alone.

At the after school program, kids will have one hour of academic time.

Sensabaugh said this year's focus for the program is to make sure every child is on third grade reading level by third grade, and is participating in more math activities.

She said the program started when school staff saw the need for something like this in the area.

"The principal at Spotswood Elementary School found that kids were coming to her office crying and upset because they lost their keys, and then she found that children were wearing their keys around their necks because they needed to let themselves into their homes after school. She discovered that almost 100 children had no place to go," said Sensabaugh.

The program is open to all kids from Harrisonburg City Schools and there is transporation for Second Home to and from Thomas Harrison Middle School and Spotswood Elementary School.

If you are interested in bringing your child or volunteering, you can call Sensabaugh at 540-578-1093.

After school programs are also available through the Rockingham County School District, Augusta County Public Schools and Minnieland Academy.

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