Beyond the Bell Pilot Program
Beyond the Bell Pilot Program
On October 1, 2025, Fairfax County's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services launched the Beyond the Bell pilot program at 20 Fairfax County elementary schools that previously offered School Age Child Care (SACC). The pilot schools operated under a local government Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) licensure-exemption while maintaining NCS' commitment to best practices and superior standards in child care. The program's goal is to determine if we can deliver the same high-quality care offered through the SACC program, while expanding access to more families across Fairfax County. Beyond the Bell pilot program was designed to implement the new model on a smaller scale to evaluate its effectiveness, identify improvements and gather feedback.
The pilot concluded on June 17, 2026; analysis of pilot data and feedback will guide conversations about future expansion. The below page provides information on Beyond the Bell pilot program design and evaluation. Addition information on the Beyond the Bell program is available at the below links:
- Pilot/Expansion Update: An update on the 2025-26 Beyond the Bell pilot and the plans for a phased expansion was presented at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Health & Human Services meeting on June 16, 2026: Beyond the Bell Pilot Update - June 16, 2026
- Program Info: Families seeking program details such as registration information, inclement weather policy and snack menus can visit Beyond the Bell.
For additional languages, use the TRANSLATION feature at the top of this webpage.
Beyond the Bell Information
Frequently Asked Questions
This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is intended to provide up-to-date information and clarification on key topics. As program details continue to evolve and new questions are submitted, these FAQs will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the most current information. Please review the FAQ before submitting additional questions.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Beyond the Bell Family Info Sessions Presentation
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Previous Information Sessions
October 22, 2025 Community Info Sessions
In August-September 2025, SACC non-pilot site families and the larger community were invited to attend to attend community family virtual information sessions to learn about the new program, ask questions and provide input on the pilot program. Information sessions were held on the following dates:
- Oct. 22, 2025 (11:30 -12:30 p.m.) - VIRTUAL
- Oct. 22, 2025 (7 - 8 p.m.) - VIRTUAL
Information from the October 22, 2025, Pilot Site Community Information Sessions is available at:
- Beyond the Bell October 22 Community Info Session Flyerer (English/Español)
August-September 2025 Family Info Sessions
In August-September 2025, pilot site families were invited to attend a series of community family information sessions to learn about the new program, ask questions and provide input on the pilot program. Information sessions were held on the following dates:
- Aug. 26, 2025 (10:30 -11:30 a.m.) - VIRTUAL
- Sept. 3, 2025 (7 - 8 p.m.) - VIRTUAL
- Sept. 9, 2025 (7 - 8 p.m.) - Jim Scott Community Center, Fairfax
- Sept. 17, 2025 (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.) - VIRTUAL
- Sept. 25, 2025 (7 - 8 p.m.) - James Lee Community Center, Falls Church
Information from the August-September 2025 Pilot Site Family Information Sessions is available at:
- Beyond the Bell Family Info Session Flyer (English) (Español)
- Beyond the Bell Family Info Session Presentation Slides
- Beyond the Bell Family Info Sessions Presentation Recording (delivered by NCS Division Director Chris Scales)
Documents
Beyond the Bell FAQ 101025 English.pdf
Beyond the Bell FAQ 101025 SPANISH.pdf
Beyond the Bell Feedback.pdf
Beyond the Bell Pilot Program-English.pdf
BTB Engagement Meetings Oct English n Spanish.pdf
Family Info Sessions Presentation Full Page Slides.pdf
Family Info Sessions Presentation Full Page Slides.pdf
Programa Piloto Beyond the Bell-Spanish.pdf
SACC vs BTB Comparison Chart.pdf
This is hidden text that lets us know when google translate runs.