Ages 5 – 12 Years · 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Nico's After School Program
A safe, structured, and enriching before and after school experience where school-age students thrive — with homework help, STEM, arts, sports, dual language, and a hot meal included every day.
Our Approach
More Than After School Care — It's Where Learning Continues
Nico's After School Program is designed for students ages 5 through 12 who need a safe, nurturing, and academically supportive environment before and after the school day. In the morning, we welcome students from 7:00 AM and transport them to their respective schools by 8:30–9:00 AM. In the afternoon, we pick them up at dismissal and bring them back to our campus — where they complete homework with certified staff support, explore STEM challenges, create art, play outdoors, and build the leadership and character skills that carry them through life. With full transportation coordination, a hot meal, and enrichment activities that complement the school day, Nico's is the program families in Jersey City and Hoboken trust.
Every Afternoon
What Students Do Every Day
Every afternoon at Nico's is structured to balance academic support with creative exploration, physical activity, and social development. No two days are exactly alike — but every day is purposeful.
Homework Help & Tutoring
Certified staff provide dedicated homework time and one-on-one tutoring support so students arrive home with assignments complete and concepts understood. We communicate with families about progress and any areas needing extra attention.
STEM Activities
Hands-on science experiments, engineering challenges, coding activities, and math games keep curious minds engaged and build the analytical thinking skills students need in every subject.
Arts & Crafts
From painting and drawing to sculpture and mixed media, our arts program gives students a creative outlet that builds fine motor skills, self-expression, and confidence in their own unique voice.
Sports & Outdoor Play
Daily outdoor time includes structured sports, team games, and free play that develop gross motor skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and the physical energy release every school-age student needs.
Dual Language Continuation
Students who began Mandarin and Spanish immersion in our preschool and Pre-K programs continue building fluency through conversation, games, and cultural activities led by native-speaking educators.
Cooking & Nutrition
Age-appropriate cooking activities teach students where food comes from, how to prepare simple healthy meals, and why nutrition matters — building lifelong habits alongside practical life skills.
Leadership & Character Building
Through group projects, peer mentoring, conflict resolution practice, and community challenges, students develop empathy, responsibility, and the confidence to lead with integrity.
Snacks & Hot Meal Included
Every student receives a nutritious afternoon snack upon arrival and a full hot dinner before pickup — prepared fresh daily using organic ingredients, at no additional charge to families.
School Pickup
We Handle the Commute — Both Ways
Nico's takes the stress out of the school day commute entirely. In the morning, students arrive at our campus as early as 7:00 AM for a supervised breakfast and morning activities, then we transport them to their respective schools in time for the start of the school day. In the afternoon, we pick them up at dismissal and bring them back to campus — so your student is supervised, safe, and engaged from the moment you drop them off to the moment you pick them up.
Morning arrival
Students welcomed at campus from 7:00 AM
School drop-off
Transported to school by 8:30–9:00 AM
Afternoon pickup
Collected at school dismissal, back at campus by 2:30 PM
Program end
7:00 PM — flexible late pickup available
Supervision
Continuous certified staff supervision throughout the full day
Communication
Daily updates and pickup confirmation via our family communication system
School Closed? Your Student Always Has a Place.
When public schools are closed for holidays, half days, or unexpected closures, Nico's guaranteed space means your student is never without care. Enrolled families have a reserved spot at Smart Start Academy on every school closure day — no scrambling, no last-minute calls, no gaps in supervision.
Transportation availability varies by campus and partner school. Contact your nearest campus to confirm morning drop-off routes and afternoon pickup availability for your student's school.
Available At
7 Campuses Across Jersey City & Hoboken
S.S.A Heights
462 Central Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307
S.S.A Hoboken
552 9th St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Palisade Square Campus
502 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307
Lumber House Campus
430 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307
Newark Ave Campus
180 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ
Jersey Ave Campus
532 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Kids University Lab
102 Brunswick St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Frequently Asked Questions
Give Your Student the Best Hours of Their Day
Tour our facilities, meet our staff, and see Nico's program in action. Spots fill quickly — reach out today to secure your student's place.