Aftercare for K -- how is yours working out?

[Anonymous]

We love our K teacher but we are disappointed with the aftercare program at our school. One of the 2 adults in the room is way too strict, IMO. I thought the aftercare program would allow for more time outside and less structure. Instead of free play time they have activities that they do together as a group and you uhave to participate. K ends at 3:30 and by then my boy, normally a good rule abiding student, seems to have had it with following instructions. They had a follow the dot worksheet one day and were instructed to color it a certain way. My kid colored it differently and it was lovely but the report I got was that he did not follow instructions and he had to redo it at home and bring it back. I understand that they have to learn to follow instructions, I just don't understand why that instruction was given or is important in the aftercare program -- K has ended for the day so he should be able to color it however he wants. There have been a few examples of kind of harsh discipline for little things like kids sitting on the playground watching others playing for the entire 20 minutes outside because they were talking while a book was being read aloud in aftercare. I get that it was disruptive, and some time sitting out is okay, but the whole time was too much. Is this kind of thing typical?

[Anonymous]

I love my aftercare program. Lots of choices...free time, reading, predetermined Activites that the kids can decided to participate in or not, lots of playground and ball time.

[Anonymous]

The program at our ES is phenomenal. They are always raved about. My child was in the aftercare last year. This year it's only been drop-in care. Still, she loves going.

[Anonymous]

Name the programs to be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I would be dropping that aftercare program. Ours in in the gym with different stations. They have legos, blocks, dollhouse, tables for homework, coloring and drawing, books, etc. The areas are clearly designed to appeal to certain age groups, since it's K-5 in one big room, but the kids can play with whatever they want. The doors are propped open to the fenced-in blacktop/basketball court. The workers go around supervise and/or play with the kids. It's all free play time. At first I was a little iffy about the employees because they are mostly teenagers (there is a director and another "adult" on site), but when I come for pickup, they are the ones most likely to be coloring or playing ball WITH the kids. I think my kid would go nuts with such a structured aftercare like you describe. School is OVER, time to unwind and be a kid!

[Anonymous]

20:20 here, ours is Global.

[Anonymous]

OP..I hope your child did not redo his aftercare coloring assignment. That is ridiculous. I would look for a different choice. Call the school and ask if any local centers run a shuttle that picks up at your school.

[Anonymous]

Assignments at aftercare?? Um, no thanks. Our DS loves his aftercare program - have to convince him it's time to go home even though it's almost 6PM! They have different stations around the gym, including the option to play outside on the school's blacktop (soccer, eg). And the staff are great - always greet me and tell how DS did in aftercare. Having great aftercare is a huge relief for us!

[Anonymous]

Doing great with ours, Bar-T. They play outside for an hour right after school ends. Then they color and draw at tables, whatever they want to do. The teachers are very nice and the young assisting staff are very sweet and happy to play with the kids. Can't complain.

[Anonymous]

We are at Bar-T (DD is in K) and so far it is working out great. At the end of the school day she goes with the other K kids to a pre-K room and they stay there with the pre-K kids until about 5pm. Then they merge with the older kids in the cafeteria. I'm glad she is with the younger ones most of the time. At least for this year.