SACC

[Anonymous]

My dd will be in kindergarten Sacc this fall. What types of activities do they do during that time? Do they nap/rest? Is there any type of instruction/curriculum? Is it more play/free/creative time? I hear wonderful things about it, but just wondering what they actually do. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I know for the after-school SACC (not before or after-Kindergarten SACC) that the staff offers homework help, arts and crafts, free play (building with LEGOs, playing board games, etc.) and sports in the gymnasium, along with playground time.

[Anonymous]

My son just finished K SACC and really liked it. They napped for most of the year, but phased naps out toward the end. It's a lot less structured than kindergarten - he often came home with crafts or little "books" he created but not worksheets or writing activities. I didn't detect any true curriculum, but think they did have disuccsions about the topics (you know,being good to the environment, that kind of thing). It's hard to tell what he learned where or what he actually did - he wasn't too talkative about specifics other than conversations with the other kids about sports and such.

There's a lego table in the middle of the room and when I visited the spring before starting, the table was mobbed.

The SACC kids had a lot of fun, got to know kids from the other morning K class, get lunch from the cafeteria, and and other fun stuff.

[Anonymous]

Sounds great! As far as napping, my daughter doesn't actually nap. Is it mandatory, or can she read books/color instead? How long is the nap? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Will your child be in all day Kindergarten??

My kids did before care SACC but didn't do after school SACC. I don't think there is napping per se in the SACC after care at my kids' school... But, my DD was in all day K so they had nap/rest time during school, and our school bell schedule was 9:15-3:55, so I'm not sure how much nap time she would have had in after SACC.

[Anonymous]

We are half day. That is why I was wondering if kids have to take a nap during K Sacc. I really hope not, because my daughter doesn't sleep. She will be the kid who talks to everyone so they can't sleep either. It is not a good thing.

[Anonymous]

10:39 here. I'll ask my son about napping - he hasn't done it since he was 3 so he's in a similar situation.

I think they have to nap or sit doing nothing b/c he occasionally said "I hate sacc except Mondays because of naptime." The Monday thing never made sense to me b/c you'd think think they'd have more time, not less, on days regular school ends earlier.

[Anonymous]

I think on Mondays they probably didn't nap because KSACC was shorter, then the other kids would join when they got out at 1:25.

[Anonymous]

We have full day K and the kids did not nap during SACC. My very shy 5 year old like it a lot. In fact, part of the reason we put him in afterschool SACC was because we heard the older kids take a nice interest in the younger kids and it was nice that he'd know other kids around school. It's been very nice to have the older kids say hello to him in the hallway.

The SACC staff at our school are fantastic. There's a homework table but kids need to be able to work independently (DS has ADHD and is unable to do homework at SACC - too many distractions). There are also lots of games and activities and each year there's a theme. I think last year was the environment/great outdoors. They had a bug club and would go out after school and collect bugs. They also freely used the gym and got lots of exercise. There are also quiet spots for the kids who just need some time to themselves. The staff is experienced with special needs kids and work to make sure everyone is included. They're also very caring. DS twisted his ankle one afternoon while playing and I received a call about it when I was almost to the school. When I got there he was still wailing (it was the first time he's really been hurt). The staff couldn't have been more attentive or caring - much more than I would have been.

The only real downside I've seen is that while I like DS to have the opportunity to interact with older kids, it's a mixed bag. He's also learning some language and tone that he doesn't learn at home. But, that's not because the staff aren't attentive or concerned. That's just the nature of going to a school with kids. I just with he didn't share it with his younger siblings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think on Mondays they probably didn't nap because KSACC was shorter, then the other kids would join when they got out at 1:25.

Oh, now I feel silly. I just checke- naptime they have to lie down except toward the end, when can sit up. At least at our school. They may have different approaches at different schools.

[Anonymous]

Have had two children use After K SACC. Napping was done as needed (neither of my kids napped) and was phased out over the year. My kids actually got more out of SACC than 1/2 day K. The SACC teachers were fantastic with them and able to focus on just the K's. Other thing about doing After-K SACC is that you got assured placement for after school SACC for 1st grade, so if there's a long wait list you know you will get in.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the info! My daughter is already stressing about the whole nap thing. When she was in preschool, she was always getting in trouble during nap time because she talked to everyone (she has the gift of gab). I will let her know that she can relax about the naps. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Do the age ranges for the kids in SACC go from K-6? I think that's too wide of an age range - kindergarteners mixed in with 6th graders, especially in the Kindergarteners' 1st year of school.

[Anonymous]

At our SACC they are only combined for a short time. Mainly thry are split K-2 and 3-6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the age ranges for the kids in SACC go from K-6? I think that's too wide of an age range - kindergarteners mixed in with 6th graders, especially in the Kindergarteners' 1st year of school.

I don't understand your concern. The kids at our SACC are all together and the older kids have been really helpful and kind to the younger ones. Our DS was in kindergarten last year and he really liked the older kids saying hello to him in the hall and helping with his homework. The kids are well supervised.