Successful after school program

However, there is some agreement about various elements that can go into creating one. It appears that programs following a strictly academic approach do not address all the needs of the students in attendance. An effective program considers the whole child, not just his or her scholastic achievement. Read more about how to start an afterschool program.

Most afterschool programs are expected to promote academic performance, and indeed, a good program will do so. They have fewer tardies, lower drop-out rates, and achieve higher test scores and grades. However, as shown above, an effective program takes a holistic approach.

The neighborhood school is an essential part of the village helping to raise those children who have fewer resources. Afterschool programs in communities with more supports in place for children and teens are still a welcome addition to their overall health and social learning.

A study performed by Milbry McLaughlin, Ph. McLaughlin's research determined that these teens were self-selecting programs from the YMCA, sports programs, or local dance troupes, where they received the appropriate support, structure, and challenge. The best model for an effective afterschool program has a youth development framework rather than a deficit-based or risk-behavior model. Like most youth, children and teens respond best to positive reinforcement and being told what they can do better than they react to being told what not to do.

Children and teens have a finely-honed sense of fairness. Be as transparent as you can when explaining any exceptions to rules and why the rules are not being followed in any situation. An effective and successful afterschool program engages the whole child or teen. It promotes health and wellness and social-emotional development as well as academics.

The participants should feel included and respected, encouraged to self-advocate, and brought into the activity decision-making process when possible. Online afterschool management software can help you track attendance and plan activities with calendar-based scheduling. Cloud-based solutions are often integrated with online registration and tuition payment options. You can pull reports to show the growth in attendance for your extended day program and the related financials.

Afterschool programs exist to provide more than a safe haven for students. They are also places to help students continue to grow and learn outside a classroom setting. Topics: After School and Day Care. Designed by GTSoft. The Childcare Management Blog. A national evaluation found that 40 percent of students attending 21st Century Community Learning Center programs improved their reading and math grades If you are developing an afterschool program at a school or other local facility, you may be wondering what makes a good program and how you can make yours a success.

The definition of an effective afterschool program There is no consensus about the definition or structure of an effective or successful program.

The right child care management software can support your business's success by streamlining all the administrative tasks of an afterschool program. Vanco's Smartcare software is one of the leading child care management software systems. Everything from scheduling staff to managing payments from parents is easy with the Vanco's Smartcare. Explore the advantages of Vanco's Smartcare Platform. Request a demo today! Download our free eBook with expert tips that will not only help you improve your afterschool program, but show you how to simplify its management, so you and your team can enjoy a much needed breather.

Vanco supports K schools and community education organizations by providing convenient, online solutions including cashless campus software, web stores, program management tools and meal payment solutions.

To see how your school can simplify online payments, give us a call at Sign Up. Starting an Afterschool Program Starting an afterschool program is the dream of many young child care professionals. Conducting Research The first stage of starting an afterschool program is determining whether it's a feasible venture.

Is there a demand for an afterschool program in the area? What commercial space is available to house an afterschool program? How will you staff your afterschool program? Can you work with local businesses to offer collaborative services?

How large is the school district? Can you offer something unique in your afterschool program? Bilingual homework tutors, computer programming classes, etc. Planning Your Afterschool Program Once you are confident in your afterschool program's chances of success, you can move forward with the project.

Core values, mission or objective statement. Program design, including staffing, location, administration, transportation and more. Policies and procedures. Legalities licensing, insurance, reporting and more. Budgeting Handling the startup costs of any business is challenging. Here are some startup costs to consider: Location purchase or rent. About the Author Vanco Education Vanco supports K schools and community education organizations by providing convenient, online solutions including cashless campus software, web stores, program management tools and meal payment solutions.

Back to Blog. In the big picture, after school programs offer many benefits to students from all walks of life and areas of interest. Here are just a few groups of students who benefit from after school programs. After school programs for at risk youth go a long way toward building confidence among students in low-income communities.

The social dynamics of a high-quality program can help to further boost attendance rates in school, math scores, and keep them from risky after school behaviors. After school programs greatly impact the social lives of middle school children. They also improve homework completion rates and boost interest in science.

And, it builds a bridge toward developing adult role models. How after school programs benefit studies with extra educational needs—those trying but still falling behind on math and reading—is all in the numbers: Forty percent of students who attended 21st Century Community Learning Center-supported programs improved their reading and math grades after attending after school programs regularly.

Kids who have working parents are given more structure with an after school program. How to Start a Successful After School Program Organization is key when trying to determine how to run a successful after school program.

Here are a handful of suggestions: The arts. Set out paint brushes, scissors, felt, glitter, and glue, and let students work at their own pace. Encourage them to all examine what each of their classmates have made, all using the same resources—placing emphasis on individuality and the difference in process. A writing and literacy activity might involve partnering with a Pen Pal service to match older elementary students or middle school students, with kids around the world who are their age.

Students learn how to format a letter and correspond with sociability and cultural perspective in mind. Be sure to read the letters before sending them out to insure no personal information has been divulged.