Reply to Aftercare in Elementary School: What should I look for?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Not sure which after cares have wait lists given OP specified Title 1 schools. But I can give OP my perspective as someone who spent several years using aftercare at HD Cooke, it was fine. My kids had a good time, didn't complain, but if screen time is big to you yes they will watch TV. The providers were caring but didn't try too hard to come up with stimulating activities. And there is no extra "enrichment" options that the JKLM schools offer, not at the fault of the program but 90% of the patents couldn't afford it (I'd guess this would be the same for most Title 1). [/quote]

My child has been at Cooke this year and I have been happy with the aftercare. A schedule is posted for the weekly activities, so we know what DD will be doing in aftercare. It is not screen-free. DD told me that she has watched "shows" before in aftercare, but when she describes those shows, they sound like short, educational programming a la PBS Kids. She also said that they do other things and do not watch "shows" every day. I know that many parents are probably less comfortable with that answer than I am, but she describes going to the library and reading books (and which books), playing on the playground and doing centers in the early childhood classroom she's in. The specials teachers also work with aftercare, though not the same teacher every day for every kid. The schedule comes in handy because it allows me to know that if I pick DD up early on a day when she's got art with the art teacher, she will be upset, whereas if I pick her up early on a day that is "just regular" (i.e. no special, just centers time in a classroom or playing outside), she will be fine with it.

As for enrichment options, there are a variety of partnerships, but they are mostly for older students. We have Lego Robotics, for example, and our kids did well in the District-wide competition this fall (we were 7th out of 20, I believe). The PTO this year is working to increase partnerships and bring in programming to the aftercare for kids at all grade levels, but it's difficult, given that most parents will likely be unable to afford to pay for activities. [/quote]

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