Aftercare in Elementary School: What should I look for?

[Anonymous]

I would like a more structured aftercare program for my PK4 DC. Which schools do before and aftercare the best and why.

[Anonymous]

Posts like these drive me crazy. If someone says the Aftercare at DC Prep or KIPP is awesome, are you going to put them in your top 12 lottery choices? The fact of the matter is there are only a handful of schools that you're probably fighting for and the odds that you get into any for PK4 are slim to none. Just wait to see how your lottery shapes out, then inquire about aftercare.

[Anonymous]

I disagree, afterschool care is a very good secondary criteria to rank your top (and other) choices. What PP bemoans may have been true in a lottery where rankings (of charters) didn't matter. That's no longer the case. You can't wait to see how things shape up and then go look.
Here is what I'd inquire about regarding afterschool care:
- Get a sense of whether there is a private provider or whether DCPS is delivering afterschool care (as is the case in Title I schools). There is a huge cost difference between the two, but also (though not always) a difference in quality.
- If you need before care, then many schools will be off your table or will require you find other solutions, as not all offer before care.
- Ask about costs and do the math ($20/day) is not uncommon, just for afterschool care, and often not including additional fees for "specials". If needed inquire about the conditions for reduced rates.
- Do some background on the providers. Some are in business nationally and will therefore allow you to find some reviews. Keep in mind that afterschool care is notoriously difficult for parents to get a handle on because they're typically not there and only see their kids at pick-up time ("not doing anything").
- Don't be shy to ask specific questions, such as how groups are divided, how many teachers there are, who the teachers are, what they do, what "classroom management" approach they use. Also important will be whether they're in session on days school is out and if there are affordable late pick-up options. After all, your child will be spending a substantial amount of time in that setting.

Lastly, I'm not sure you should look for something hyper-programmed for your preschooler. Mostly, after 6 hours of tight programming, they'll want to enjoy free play. But you will want to know what that means. Will they be in a classroom with interesting and stimulating materials and personnel or will they be running wild en masse in the cafeteria or on the playground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree, afterschool care is a very good secondary criteria to rank your top (and other) choices. What PP bemoans may have been true in a lottery where rankings (of charters) didn't matter. That's no longer the case. You can't wait to see how things shape up and then go look.
Here is what I'd inquire about regarding afterschool care:
- Get a sense of whether there is a private provider or whether DCPS is delivering afterschool care (as is the case in Title I schools). There is a huge cost difference between the two, but also (though not always) a difference in quality.
- If you need before care, then many schools will be off your table or will require you find other solutions, as not all offer before care.
- Ask about costs and do the math ($20/day) is not uncommon, just for afterschool care, and often not including additional fees for "specials". If needed inquire about the conditions for reduced rates.
- Do some background on the providers. Some are in business nationally and will therefore allow you to find some reviews. Keep in mind that afterschool care is notoriously difficult for parents to get a handle on because they're typically not there and only see their kids at pick-up time ("not doing anything").
- Don't be shy to ask specific questions, such as how groups are divided, how many teachers there are, who the teachers are, what they do, what "classroom management" approach they use. Also important will be whether they're in session on days school is out and if there are affordable late pick-up options. After all, your child will be spending a substantial amount of time in that setting.

Lastly, I'm not sure you should look for something hyper-programmed for your preschooler. Mostly, after 6 hours of tight programming, they'll want to enjoy free play. But you will want to know what that means. Will they be in a classroom with interesting and stimulating materials and personnel or will they be running wild en masse in the cafeteria or on the playground.

OP , here. Thanks for the post and as you mentioned, aftercare is a very big factor in how I will rank my school choices. I am very flexible as far as commute is concerned but I am looking for an aftercare program that is much more than a bunch of kids running around in a gym. I have also witnessed a good deal of bullying in unsupervised aftercare programs, so supervision is important too. I see that some programs offer language courses and as well as ballet, Lego club and other fun offerings. From what I have researched, the aftercare classes are only offered a 3 days a week at best, so they is room for free play. Thanks, again.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for asking this question, OP! I too am trying to gather as much info on aftercare as possible.

I live EOTP and my IB school, as well as several other schools we're considering applying to, are title I schools with DCPS as the aftercare provider. I would love feedback from anyone who has experienced a DCPS-run program on how it has gone, especially for preschoolers. I have heard rumors that sometimes they just plop them in front of the TV. I want my child to get lots of outdoor time (weather-permitting) and free-play time. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You might get better answers if you posted which schools you are considering. I've heard some bad stories about DCPS aftercare, but I'm sure it varies wildly from school to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might get better answers if you posted which schools you are considering. I've heard some bad stories about DCPS aftercare, but I'm sure it varies wildly from school to school.

Thank you! PP asking for info. Here are the Title I schools we are currently considering:

H.D. Cooke
Marie-Reed
Bancroft
Garrison

Any feedback on these DCPS-run after school programs is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

OP, you have seen bullying in aftercare at PK3? Which schools?

[Anonymous]

FWIW, keep in mind that after care can change. At my DCPS school, this is the third year DS has been at the school and this is our third after-care situation. The first year, it was DCPS provided after care, then an outside provider last year and now a new outside provider this year. Probably not going to be the case at most schools, but that is what happened to me, so I don't know how much focus you can/should put on after care.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am a former aftercare/latch-key kid from the 70s, so my bullying reference is from that era. I am concerned that it is possible when combining kids from multiple-age groups in lightly-supervised programs.

I am trying to get a general sense of which programs do it well, from that I can form a list of things to look for.

[Anonymous]

The much older kids are generally separated at my child's school, so I'm not talking about middle schoolers, but I actually think my PK3 child is benefiting from getting to play (and practice drawing and writing) with the early elementary kids in aftercare. Just my experience. I've heard very little about bullying behavior and much more about positive different-age friendships.

[Anonymous]

Ummm ... I just wanted a place where they play and don't watch tv shows or movies all the time. I got that, but several of the aftercare leaders have weird power issues and anger issues. I think they're not screening them enough. Luckily my kid is tough and it rolls off her back for the most part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ummm ... I just wanted a place where they play and don't watch tv shows or movies all the time. I got that, but several of the aftercare leaders have weird power issues and anger issues. I think they're not screening them enough. Luckily my kid is tough and it rolls off her back for the most part.

Ugh. Is this at anb afterschool program that DCPS runs, or contracted to someone else? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for asking this question, OP. I'd also like to hear about what good aftercare programs offer, to give a little perspective on what is possible when I talk to schools. At one I visited, the admins seemed to have no clue what went on in aftercare or how the groups were divided--they seemed to imply that it varied depending on who was there day to day. Others seem to be quite structured.

[Anonymous]

Our DCPS aftercare is exactly what it should be in my view, less structured play time inside or out and centers for the little ones. No TV. Great price and great teachers (aides or teachers from the school)