After-School programs - What should they be doing?

[Anonymous]

I am a recent adoptive parent. DS4 goes to afterschool program at school provided by a separate entity. There does not seem to be a structured program and I am not sure what I should expect but just seems like it should be more than just hold him for an extra hour until I get through traffic.

DS was doing fine in the program earlier in the year but seems to act out now but no problems with teacher. When I walk into afterschool kids seem to be have free time or just watching a movie, all the time. Not sure what I should be seeing.

Could you tell me what happens at your afterschool programs?

[Anonymous]

What's available in aftercare varies widely depending on the school and the program sponsoring it. CM offers regular aftercare (usually books, puzzles, art projects, singing songs) as well as specialized Clubs for which you can pay extra (e.g., Chinese Immersion, Lego Club, Yoga, Music, Spanish, French).

If you regularly see kids watching TV or movies, I'd talk to the program and voice concern. I don't think it's reasonable for aftercare programs to plop students down in front of the TV on a regular basis. I'm not totally anti-TV (my child watches some at home), but if I'm paying you to care for my child, I'm not crazy about the idea of TV being a significant part of the program. I think the kids at CM watched a couple holiday movies (e.g., Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph) during December, and I have no problem with that, provided it's not an everyday occurence.

Just my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

At our school it varies per grade.

PreK: arts and craft, enrichment, playtime, centers time, music and movement etc.

K+: music and movement, drums, art, violin (extra fee), cooking, academic enrichment, computer/library time, fitness program, choir, georgraphy, french/spanish club, chess soccer, gardening, etc. I am sure I missed a few activities. The activities vary per day and depends on the grade level. All activies are inlcuded in the aftercare fee except for violin and which is an additional fee.

[Anonymous]

What do you want them to do? Bring a solution along with your question.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to the PP who gave samples of what is being done at other schools. It may be too late for this year but I think we may look for an alternative for next year with a little more structure. This program seems to advertise the arts and crafts but it seems more like movie and free time.

Anonymous wrote:What do you want them to do? Bring a solution along with your question.

You are missing the point of the question. I don't know what they should or even could be doing.

[Anonymous]

Some PP's gave some good examples. DC's school has structured activities you sign up for each semester: art, music, sports, chess, legos, etc.

OP, now is the time to apply to charter school lotteries. Could someone else please tell OP when the deadline is?

[Anonymous]

Check the link for after care and enrichment activities on the Janney Elementary School website. Amazing options. Everything from basketball or dance to cooking, etc. The regular after care they mainly play on the playgrounds. NO TV.

[Anonymous]

My kid is at a 2nd tier charter and I haven't been all that happy with his actual school, but I LOVE his aftercare.

At ours, the PS, PK and K are all together. They basically have centers for the 2.5 hours of aftercare and they try and get the kids outside too. The teachers are great and DC never wants to come home. One of the teachers hits up thrift stores and garage sales every now and then and brings in the toys for the kids to play with too. They do a snack at about 5 and DC always has art to bring home for me.

They do playdoh, blocks, the teachers read stories, they play games like duck duck goose, color and paint, play trucks and dolls and superheros. I've picked up at all different times, anywhere from 20min to being the last parent there, and DC is always engaged and playing, and the teachers are always attentive.

They always have time for me as well, unlike his classroom teacher. I usually find out more about what's going on from aftercare than from the school.

I've never seen a TV at aftercare. DC tells me he watches movies sometimes during school, but never at Kid's House.

We're switching schools next year, but I'm going to miss his aftercare.