Once school is back in session, many parents find themselves searching for the best after-school programs for their children while they finish those last few hours in the office. There are so many options, so how do you decide which program is the right fit for your child? Here are a few things to consider when deciding.
Facilities
I suggest calling the program director and visiting the facility. The first thing to inspect is whether the facilities are clean and safe. Are they a licensed facility or exempt? How many children are enrolled? Are there quiet areas for children to work on homework or read, as well as loud areas for play? Is there a safe place for outdoor play as well? Are the doors locked for safety, and does the checkout process have safety in mind?
Transportation
Transportation can be a major factor in your decision. Check to see whether the program requires additional transportation. Does it provide busing from school, or are you in charge of providing the transportation?
Activities
Make sure a variety of activities and choices are available. Some activities to look for are hands-on learning opportunities and games, physical activities, as well as homework assistance for older children. The activities should vary among different age groups, so check and see how the children will be divided up. Will kindergartners be in the same area doing the same activities as fifth graders, or are there age- appropriate activities for each group? And do the kids get to pick from different activities, or do all kids participate in the same activities? Also ask whether afternoon snacks are provided or if you must send those.
Routine
After-school programs should have a set routine every day that your children can depend on. They will know exactly what time it begins, when they will have time to work on homework, time to play and time for a snack. Too much free play without boundaries could be a red flag for a lack of organization within the program.
Staff
I think the staff is the most important thing to consider when selecting an after-school program. When you visit the facility, check to see whether the staff are friendly and engaged with all the children. It is also a good way to see for yourself how behavior issues and conflicts are handled.
Other things to find out are what the staff-to-child ratio is, what credentials the staff has and whether the staff members are CPR certified and have been trained on standard emergency procedures.
Scheduling
Another big consideration is the program’s hours. Do you need care before school as well? How late do you need care? And what is the late policy if you run into traffic on your way to pickup or get stuck in a meeting?
Another option to consider is whether the program offers care times school is out, for example, early dismissal days, teacher in-service days or holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day. Those are days that can be hard for working parents to find coverage, so programs that offer the extra coverage are a boon to most parents.
Budget
The last thing to consider is whether the fees fit into your budget. Will you have to pay a weekly rate, or are you able to pay only when your child attends? You can also ask the center whether they provide discounts for military, emergency personnel or teachers in that school district.
Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley, 10, and Ensley, 4, in St. Joseph.