Residents urge Rancho Santa Margarita to address after-school childcare as Boys & Girls Club faces risk

Two residents used the public-comment portion of the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council meeting to press the council for action on after-school childcare options, warning that the Boys & Girls Club program in the area is at risk and that working families face gaps for middle-school care.

Renee Branch described encountering disruptive behavior by middle-school children at a local Target and said she has been coordinating with the school district, the city, Saddleback Church and transit authorities to find alternatives. “A safe and reliable child care option is what is needed for the working families of the children in this community,” she said, and offered her phone number to volunteers helping to organize alternatives.

Jacqueline Martin, who said she previously raised the issue at council meetings, asked what the council planned to do to attract or create affordable after‑school programs that extend through junior high. “We need something,” Martin said, urging the council to investigate options before the Boys & Girls Club “goes away.”

Why it matters: both speakers emphasized that middle‑school students have fewer after‑school program options than younger children and that lack of transportation and affordable care forces parents to change work arrangements. They argued that attracting or creating local after‑school services supports the city’s goals of being family friendly and retaining young families.

Council response and next steps: at the meeting, council members acknowledged the concerns and said staff will consider programs and outreach during upcoming budget and community-service planning. No formal directive or funding decision was made at the session; residents were encouraged to remain engaged and provide input during the budget workshops and community meetings.