School Age Services

Selecting a quality after-school program for your child

Why is a quality after-school program important for my child?

Children are likely to spend as many hours in their school-age program as in school. Quality programs help your child grow socially, emotionally, and physically. Quality care supports your child's learning and children in after-school programs tend to do better in school. They are also less likely to engage in criminal behavior. Quality after-school programs build links o the community and encourage community service, enriching your entire community.

Good staff-to-child ratios allow for individual attention and help children build strong relationships with caring adults. Children in quality after-school programs are less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and use drugs. You will be more productive a work when you know your children are safe after school, during school vacations, and in the summer.

How do I select a quality program for my child?

Begin by reflecting on what you did after school and in the summer as a school-
age child.

Think about your child and the type of program that would best serve your child and family. Then look for programs that can meet the needs of your child.

Start your search by asking friends, family members, and school personnel for recommendations.

Contact your local resource and referral agency. They can provide all kinds of useful information to help guide you in your search for quality programs.

Look for programs in your area that are dedicated to continuous improvement and are working toward accreditation.

Once you receive several referrals you may want to narrow your search by telephoning a number of programs and asking about availability, hours and fees. Ask if they are open on school vacation days and in the summer.

Now that you have narrowed your list to a few options, make appointments to visit the programs and to interview the staff.

During your visit... remember to look, listen and ask questions.

Look at the staff and children.

• Are they happy to be at the program?
• Do the children seem engaged in their activities?
• Are staff involved with the children?
• Is the space safe and clean?
• Are snack menus healthy and plentiful?
  

Listen to the sounds of the program.

Do you hear laughter and lively conversation?

• Do you hear staff engaged in conversation with the children and youth?
• Ask questions of the staff and the children and youth. Ask about staff training and development. Are all staff trained in CPR and first aid?
• Is there ongoing training available to the staff?
• Is the program aware of national quality standards?
• Is there a parent board or council?
• Are children involved in planning program activities?

Consider the information you have collected and discuss the options with your child.

Your child deserves a rich learning environment after school.

Child Care Aware is available to link you to local resources that can help you find a quality
after-school program.

Think about your child

Listen to the sounds of the program... Child Care Aware is a national initiative conducted by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies to ensure that parents have access to information and community resources. Child Care Aware in partnership with local child care resource and referral agencies builds consumer awareness and supports families in making choices for the care and education of their children. Child Care Aware is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Child Care Bureau in the US Department of Health and Human Services. The National School-Age Care Alliance (NSACA) is the national membership organization representing the entire array of public, private, and community-based providers of after-school programs. NSACA has over 8,000 members and thirty-five state affiliates. NSACA promotes national standards of quality school-age care for children and youth ages 5-14 and grants accreditation to programs meeting the standards. NSACA's mission is to build a profession that develops, supports and promotes quality school-age care. NSACA Natinal School-Age Care Alliance 1137 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02124 www.nsaca.org 1.800.617.8242 fax 617-298-5022

What to look for, listen for and ask about on your visits:

Print this sheet and take it with you as you look for a program for your child. Ask questions and feel free to take notes about what you see and hear.

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For more information about Child Care Aware or help in locating your local child care resource and referral agency,
visit www.childcareaware.org or call:1 ·800 ·424 ·2246For more information on quality standards contact: National School-Age Care Alliance

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The right place at the right time

A Parent's Guide to Before- and After-School Care

Who Provides School-Age Child Care?

Some communities offer a lot of choices for school-age childcare; others have few. Here are some of the most common:

• Schools: About one in three elementary schools provide before- and/or after-school care in the school. Sometimes, the programs are sponsored by the school (or school district); other times, by outside organizations.
• Recreation Departments: Some community parks and recreation departments offer after-school care and extended summer day camps.
• Youth Service Agencies: The YMCA and YWCA, Boys Clubs, Girls Clubs, Campfire, Inc. and other youth-oriented groups sponsor school-age child care programs, including before- and after-school care and summer programs.
• Churches and other religious organizations: A growing number of centers of worship offer school-age child care to anyone in the community, regardless of religious affiliation.
• Child Care Centers: Many child care centers care for children before and after school. Some child care centers at corporations and on college campuses also are expanding
  to provide care for school-age children.
• Family Child Care Homes: Licensed providers who care for younger children may offer before-school, after-school, and summer care for school-age children as well.
• In-Home Care: For those who prefer "at home" care, options include hiring neighbors, retirees, or college students. Many parents form informal co-ops, or look to local licensed family day care providers.

After School at the School Programs based in schools often offer a unique benefit -- a partnership between the school's principal and staff and the program's director and staff. Working together, they ensure that the program reflects school policy and best fulfills the needs of children and parents.

How Do I Find School-Age Child Care?

The best sources of information on before-and after-school care programs and providers are:

• Child Care Resource and Referral Services: These services help match families with care providers in the area.
  Some employers provide access to a resource and referral service as an employee benefit.  If yours doesn't, try looking in the Yellow Pages
  under "child care", "school", or "day care."
• Schools/School Districts: Your child's principal is an excellent resource for questions about children.
  He or she will be acquainted with the range of
  programs available to students. The district office also may be a good resource for area programs.
• Other Parents: Your friends, neighbors, and co-workers, and the parents of your children's friends can be great sources of information on school-age care programs.
• Local Government: Many community governments have youth program departments that may be a good resource.
• Special Needs: Finding quality before- and after-school care can be particularly challenging for those whose children have special emotional or physical needs. Often, you can get recommendations from local social service agencies like Easter Seals, the Utah Parent Center, local county recreation programs, the school district's special education director or your child's school principle or special education teachers.

Second Options Talk with your children about the programs you're considering. They may prefer one program over another because their friends go there, or because they like the staff or the activities better.

What Should I Look For?

While every program is different, make sure to look for:

• A caring staff that really like children.
• Interesting and challenging activities.
• Surroundings that are healthy and safe.

Beyond these, finding the best care is a matter of determining what's important to you and your children, and finding the best match.

• First, Consider Your Children: What kind of activities do your children enjoy most? Active, outside play? Reading? Arts and crafts? Computer games? Sports? Drama? The best programs have enough variety to accommodate all of these.
• What Are the Hours, Logistics, and Costs? How early can you drop your children off in the morning? How late is the center open in the evening?
  • Is care available when school is closed for parent conferences, vacations, holidays, and bad-weather days? Does it cost extra?
  • Can your children attend during the summer months? Is the center closed certain weeks for staff training or vacations? If so, ask the director to recommend alternatives.
  • Is the tuition affordable? School-age child care averages less than $2 an hour, but ranges widely depending on where you live, the services offered, and who's providing it.
  • What extra fees are there? What is the late fee (as high as $1 per minute after closing time)? Are you expected to pay extra for field trips, tutoring, music or sports lessons, or equipment?

What Does a Good School-Age Child Care Program Look Like?

• Indoors: Some settings just "feel" right. The best setups offer:
  • Enough room so children can move from one area to another without disturbing other children's activities or projects.
  • Quiet areas for conversation, puzzles, reading or homework; small group areas for games, art, science projects, or dramatic play; and open area for noisy and active indoor play.
  • A cozy, "home away from home" feeling with carpets, couches, pillows, plants and comfortable chairs.
  • Safe, comfortable surroundings kept warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the summer - and bathrooms that are clean and convenient.
  • Opportunities for privacy, for children to play independently without constant direct supervision.
• Outdoors: Programs should make plenty of time for outdoor play, and offer:
  • A clean, safe outdoor play area protected from traffic and unwanted visitors.
  • Lots of room for children to be able to run around, and separate areas for active games, sports, climbing, and quiet play.
  • Well-kept out-door play equipment - enough so no one has to wait too long for a turn.
    
    If there's not an outdoor play area on-site, find out where children go for outside activities, how often they go, and how they get there.

Shared Space In most schools, program space - gyms, cafeterias, classrooms - is shared between teachers and child care staff. But the best arrangements allow child care programs to also use the library, computer lab, art room, and other space for supervised activity.

What's on the Schedule?

The hours before and after school should not feel structured, like "school." Instead, the mood should be relaxed, free-flowing,
and full of interesting things to choose from. Look for a place that offers children their choice of activities, plenty of time to play, run around, laugh out loud, and:

• Physical Activity. Indoor and outdoor sports and games help kids unleash all the energy they've stored inside them all day. Before-school warm-ups help them get ready for the day.
• Mental Activity. Challenging games and projects give children the opportunity to learn new things without feeling like they're still in class.
• Individual Activity. It's important for children to have quiet time to sit and think, do homework, read, sketch, or just daydream.
• Social Activity. Children need time to play with old friends and make new ones, time to learn social skills, and to find out about being a leader-and a follower.
• Is the Schedule Flexible?
  Is the daily schedule rigid with start and stop time for everything, or can children spend extra time on projects they're interested in, and move on to something else if they're bored?
  • Do children work on special projects? Can they publish their own newspaper, or produce a field day, skit, or mini-Olympics? Is community service included in the program?
  • Can children participate in outside activities like scouting, dance lessons, or Little League? If so, is transportation available?
  • Are there opportunities to create plays, pottery, or other "masterpieces" that may take days or weeks to complete?

Does the Program Appeal to All Ages?

Kindergartners and preteens have very different interests and needs. Look for a program that:

• Offers different age groups - team sports for older children, building blocks for younger children.
• Provides a range of supplies and materials - a housekeeping corner for the little ones, advanced board games and puzzles for the 12-year-olds. Make sure that any dangerous materials are kept safely out of young children's reach.
• Gives older children the feeling that they're not being closely supervised (even though they are.)
• Introduces skills and ideas that are right for each age group - kickball for the 6-year-olds, basketball for the 10-year-olds.
• Provides space for each age group to play without interference from older or younger children, while encouraging companionship among age groups.
• If the program operates during the summer, is the schedule a continuation of the school-year program, or are there new opportunities and activities?

Is the Program Safe and Healthy?

Your child's safety and health are the most important considerations in selecting a care provider. Make sure to ask these questions:

• Is the program or provider licensed or accredited? While school-run programs may not be subject to state licensing, they still should meet or exceed licensing standards for programs run by others.
• Is there a careful check-in and check-out procedure so that children are always accounted for?
• Is there a telephone close by and available in case of emergencies?
• Are all play areas safe? Are hazardous materials kept locked away? Is the facility smoke-free?
• Is the staff trained in first aid and CPR? Is there a first aid kit and a list of emergency numbers nearby? Are all children coached on what to do in a fire or other emergency?
• Is water available at all times for cooking, cleanup, projects, and especially for drinking in the summer?
• Are all snacks and meals nutritious? Can children get a snack when they're hungry, or do they have to wait until a scheduled meal? Do meals and snacks include lots of fruits and vegetables, and are there limits on "junk" foods and high-fat choices?
• Is there enough staff to supervise well and give enough attention to the children?
• Is the space adaptable for children with physical limitations?

Television Some families allow their kids a free range of after-school television programs. Others want the TV off-limits on school days. Make sure you know, in advance, how caregivers feel about TV time, and find a program that fits your family's philosophy.

What About the Staff?

Your children deserve to be cared for by people who enjoy, respect, and understand them. But since it's unlikely that you'll be able to spend a lot of time interviewing each staff member, how can you tell? Here are a few tips:

• Talk to the parents of children who attend and ask:
  
  How do their children feel about the staff? Do they enjoy them?
  
  Do the children feel that the staff is patient and fair and fun?
  
  How do they, as parents, feel? Does the staff make it a point to talk with the parents on a regular basis? Or do they hear from the staff only when there's a problem?
• Ask the director about the staff's background: What kind of experience do they have? Child development, social work, education, recreation, art, psychology? Have they worked with children before?
• Does the program sponsor training for staff? If so, what subjects are included?
• Have all staff members undergone a background check (criminal records)?
• Is the staff sensitive to racial, ethnic, religious, and gender differences? Do staff members appreciate all cultures and abilities and welcome all children equally?
  
  Ask the director about his/her background as well. The director sets the tone for the whole program. He/she should be well qualified, sensitive, and experienced.
  
  

  Staffing Changes Staff turnover can be high and unavoidable, due to relatively low pay and unconventional hours. Ask about the turnover rate, and how children's feelings are dealt with when a staff member moves on to another job.

  Can I See the Staff Members in Action?

  The very best way to find out about the people who may be caring for your children is to watch them in action. Be sure to visit the program and observe the staff.

  • Does the staff seem to enjoy being with the children? Are they having fun, or are they watching the clock?
  • How do they handle conflicts between two or more children? Do they give the kids a chance to work out problems themselves?
  • If a child needs discipline, how does the staff handle it? What if a child seems upset or angry? Are they calm and comforting?
  • When a child succeeds, do they offer praise and encouragement?
  • Do they encourage children to try new activities without pressuring them?
  • Do the staff members seem to enjoy working with each other?
  • Do you think the staff members are good examples for your children? Do you like them? Would you like your children to spend time with them and learn from them?
  • The Number Question

  While the number of children per adult in after-school and before-school programs varies, smaller groups and more staff often indicate a better quality program.

  The Utah Office of Child Care recommends there be no more than 10 to 15 children per staff member-enough staff that the program can offer a variety of activities and children can get help when they need it.

  Discipline Ask about discipline procedures. How does the staff handle behavior problems? Is there a stated policy? Is it understood and followed by all staff?

  What Are My Responsibilities?

  Before the first day at the program, talk with the director or staff about your children's likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, health or dietary needs, or any special circumstance. Keep the lines of communication open. Try to talk to a staff member at least once a week. Bring up any questions or concerns and ask about the new things your children are learning and doing. Pass the staff's compliments on to your children, and add lots of your own.

  Beyond that, here are some "rules" for making sure you have a great relationship with your children's care providers:

  • Pick up your children on time. It's unfair to your children and the staff when you cause them to wait around after hours.
  • Set aside time for dealing with problems. Avoid the end of the day. If possible, schedule an appointment or phone conference to talk with staff or director.
  • Stay involved. Make time to attend parent meetings, family/staff get-togethers or performances by the children. Offer to serve on an advisory board or to donate supplies or your time.

  In the right program, children will be spending their hours and days outside of school happy, involved, and secure. And you, as a family, will come out far, far ahead.

  When Do I Stop Care?

  While many people think that 12 or 13 year-olds are capable of being home alone before and after school, there's really no magic age. Think seriously about the safety of your neighborhood, the distance between the school and your home, and your child's personality and maturity.

  If you have even the slightest doubt that you child would be safe and responsible, trust your instincts and either continue with before and after-school care or find another safe haven, such as a neighborhood youth center or parks and recreation department program.

   

• Summary:

  The safety and well-being of our children is a critical state concern. When parents cannot be home for their children after school, it is important that children are supervised and safe. This guide helps parents to make informed choices about school-age child care.

  The guide was prepared by the Utah Department of Workforce Services, Office of Child Care. We encourage you to use this guide to help you make wise decisions about the care of your school-age children.

  This brochure is adapted from Standards for Quality School-Age Child Care, (1993), published by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in cooperation with the School-Age Child Care Project of the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women.