I think it really depends on the programs themselves. At my school the before care/aftercare program is amazing. Our school has a very high open enrollment rate anda very high number of students use the program. My DD goes everyday before school (we are a late start school so DH or I can pick up when school gets out but she goes for 2 1/2 hours each morning). DD loves it. She gets breakfast (we pay) each day so she has a small breakfast type snack at home and then a hot breakfast at school about 30 mins before class starts. They have different areas open for the kids (the gym or they go outside, arts and crafts, games, etc). You can pay extra for community ed programs that take place at school - things like Spanish, legos, chess, math club and the list goes on and on. For the older kids they have a homework room. They off the same programs both before and after school and they provide a snack in the afternoon (or the kids can bring it and they take them to eat in the cafe - not sure how that works). The program is also open for most school release days and for late start days plus they have an amazing summer program. The staff to student teacher is great.
We had considered having the girls bused to the daycare center that we had gone to for the school age program but honestly, the schools program is outstanding and they are with their friends so not worth it.
I would not be comfortable with my child going to the Y and doing swimming there if I was not there. At least at the Y near me, I don't like the set up of the daycare program as its seems way to accesible to the general public. I am sure other locations have different set ups that wouldn't bother me as much.
The program runs me about $60 per week per child for before care only (it would be double if I did both before and afterschool care 5 days a week). (I only have 1 in it this year but next year both DD's will be in the program) for the school year. Basically it is $12 for either before or after care per day or $24 for both and you only pay for the times you are signed up for and late start days are an $6 for the extra few hours she is there. For the school release days and summer, I think its $36 a day as they then include all the extras that they do in the summer - lots of field trips and extra projects and in house field trips into the fee plus you are with them all day (they are open 6:45am until 6pm) vs just a few hours before or after school).
During the year and summer, you only pay for the days you use unless you signed up and then cancel with less than 2 weeks notice.