After school care question?

Question

What would an ideal "After school care" program look like? I have been hired to bring such a program up to snuff as it is not being run well. Parents, what would you like to see happening (or not happening) at an after school center? Suggestions would be most helpful?

Answer 1

heres how mine went:

homework

snack time

games

then there was this thing were we chose to classes (arts n crafts, cooking, drama etc)

then we went outside and played on the playground till our parents picked us up i had a blast!

Answer 2

Healthy snack,outdoor game if possible-practice ball skills for soccer, basketball etc.  athletics, skipping, elastics,line dancing, acapella singing.

Homework time. Craft time-drawing, knitting, sewing .

Depends on ages of children-ask for their ideas-what would they like to do?

Answer 3

I work at an after-school care program, in the actual school.

Here is what we do, and it works great!

We have plenty of toys and games out (centers include Science/Nature, Imagination,Construction,Games,Puzzles,D... Play) We have about 65 kids a day, we make sure to have at least 40-45 different types of toys out and at least 10-15 board games. We also have three art tables, one has play dough, one is free art with different types of papers and crayons/markers and glue, the last one is an actual project with a sample already made and whatever supplies needed at the table in the child's reach.

We also have out a dramatic play area, it either a kitchen set, tool set, or something the kids suggest.

They have a snack bar open for an hour with 4 choices of snack and juice and chocolate and plain milk.

Each group goes outside (or to the gym if it's too hot!) and the get to play for at least 30-45 minutes in smaller groups (4th grade with 5th grade and so on...)

After that the day is almost over and they just hang out with each other and relax.

Our program is a bit different as we are recreational and NOT educational, although we are sneaky and most of the games and toys have an educational point to them but the kids think they are playing.

What that means though is I can not make anyone do their homework, I can remind them that mom or dad wants them to complete it but that is it.

Our progam is child led but adult supervised, and it's fun! I love to go to work everyday because it's fun.

Answer 4

Well  am not an expert but I do have some suggestions

#1 All the staff/volunteers need to have CPR and criminal record checks

#2 There should be separate groups for each age group. Say 4-6 7-10 11-13 an activities should suit the age group.

#3 a room should be put aside for a quiet room-crafts, study, computer that sort of thing with the gym as the activity center.

#4 Outdoor time should be scheduled and a plan in case of rainy days

#5 weekly activities and special events like mini Olympics, story telling contests, funny hat days ect  

Answer 5

see who wants you to do homework. some parents want to do that with their kids. healthy snacks (not too much or they wont eat dinner) and activities kids can bring home to show their parents. also a routine is always nice that way parents and kids know what to expect and it doesnt turn into a circus. good luck