A Nesquehoning business is hoping to help parents this school year by providing before and after school care to students in Panther Valley elementary and intermediate schools.

Narrow Valley Sportsplex recently announced they are beginning this program to help parents who may not be able to work around their work schedules to get children to and from schools.

“What we’re doing is you can drop your child off as early as 6 a.m.,” said Kathy Reaman, owner of Narrow Valley. “They will then be taken to school — either Panther Valley Elementary or Intermediate — and then after school, they could come back. The buses will drop off at Narrow Valley and then we would do all kinds of activities. We’ll do homework, play sports, do crafts and that after care ends at 5:30 p.m.

“It’s a great option for parents who can’t get their kids in time.”

Parents who sign their students up for either before, after or both sessions must sign up for the whole year since that bus stop will be their stop for the school year.

Reaman said that the program aims to fill a gap in the childcare in the Panther Valley region, while also introducing children to a variety of sports and showing them the importance of exercise and interacting with their peers.

“I think it’s going to greatly impact working parents who struggle with what do you do with your kids when school is done and you’re not done work yet,” Reaman said, adding that she hopes this is another resource for parents. “I know I struggled with it when my kids were young.”

Parents interested in learning more about the new program, as well as the cost, can visit Narrow Valley’s website at https://www.narrowvalleysports.com/summerprograms.

They can also stop in at the facility, located at 20 Market St. during business hours and talk to an employee or fill out a registration form.

Limited spots are available. Sign up by Aug. 20 to waive the $25 registration fee.