Reply to Aftercare is cruel to kindergarteners

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[quote=Anonymous]Here is one issue with aftercare. It's fine when kids are younger and don't have much homework. But as they get older and have more homework and are required to read quietly for 20-30 minutes a night, aftercare isn't the greatest. The staff usually asks if they have homework but kids say "I'll do it at home" or "I don't have any" and the staff takes the kids' word for it, instead of pushing, going through the bookbag, etc. Also some kids need more intense hand-holding type of assistance that staff can't adequately provide. The problem comes in when you pick the kids up at aftercare around 5-6ish, and the homework isn't done yet.

Afternoon activities like sports usually start around 5-6 too, so then there's a scramble to do pickup, figure out dinner, get out the door for activities, and still do an hour or more of homework. Homework really picks up around 4th grade, in my experience.

Keeping this in mind, aftercare is great in the early years, and great for self-motivated kids who will actually do all of their homework before getting picking up, or kids that don't need help. But for other kids, it might be better to have them come home, establish the habit of doing homework right after school instead of playing, and then doing evening activities. It might be worth it to have a college-age sitter or try to adjust work schedules where a parent goes in really early and is home after school by around 3rd grade. Kids still need supervision and homework help through 8th grade but aftercare usually ends at 5th or 6th.

Just my opinions based on personal experience. Daycare and early school years were easier in a lot of ways.[/quote]

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