After-School Recreation Programs and Creative Solutions
Many schools, both public and private, provide after-school programs. Transportation may also be available to programs at community centers, city park and recreation programs, child care centers, or family day care homes. These programs offer a variety of supervised activities, ranging from organized sports to a place to do homework. Some of these programs also provide full-day programs during school holidays and vacations.Issues in Choosing Before/After School Child Care
What type of program will work best for your child? Some children need a smaller group setting that allows them some privacy after spending the day in a classroom. Others are more socially oriented and eager for active recreation with friends and classmates. Family day care homes often have a mixed-age group, including infants and preschoolers. How your child's needs will be addressed in these various situations is an important consideration.Is the program's location convenient to your child's school? If the care is not offered on the school site, see if transportation is provided or if an adult is available to accompany children. If children are old enough to walk by themselves, try to determine if the route is safe and where help can be sought if dangers arise.
What types of activities does the program plan for children? A program should ideally address your child's special interests. Will they participate in organized activities (cooking, field trips, active sports and games)? Do they have an opportunity to do homework and receive help with it? Will the children be allowed to watch TV and videos? Are the providers actively involved in planning activities with the children?
Do the providers have experience and/or training in working with school-age children? Providers should be in tune with the needs of the age-group they work with and provide age-appropriate methods of discipline. Observe staff-child interactions carefully. Staff turnover can also affect program quality.
Does the physical setting provide adequate space for both active and quiet play, both indoors and outdoors, and private storage space for children's belongings? School-age children need time and space to let off steam and relax after a day at school. They also need a place to safely stash their books and clothing.
Does the program's schedule match your need for child care during holiday breaks, "minimum days," and the summer vacation? Make sure that you are clear about answers to these questions when you enroll. If some periods are not covered you will need to make other arrangements in advance.
Summer Camps
Summer recreation programs, day camps, and overnight camps for school-age children are offered by a variety of organizations. See Resource section for child care for summer camps information. It is best to begin planning for summer activities in early Spring.Home Alone
In determining whether or not your child can be left home alone, take into consideration your child's maturity level. There is no "legal" age in California in which it is allowable to leave children home alone. Generally, children who are in junior high school are capable of being home by themselves and/or babysitting. If you do leave your children home alone, there are several things you can do to help make sure they are safe:- Tape a list of important phone numbers (your work number, pager number or cell-phone number, your nearest neighbor, relatives, doctor or clinic) on or near the phone. Let your children know when and how they can contact you at work.
- Establish emergency procedures, including minor first aid to use in case of accidents. Review these periodically and/or hold practice drills.
- Make use of a phone or tape recorder or message board for leaving last-minute instructions or reminders that your children can check when they return from school.
- Make a list of productive things your children can do until you arrive home. Have a nutritious snack ready for them. Agree about the use of cooking appliances and television viewing.
- Set guidelines about what your children should do about telephone calls or strangers coming to the door. Practice with them how they might respond.
- Discuss the rules for playing and playmates. Children need companionship but they also need some rules to guide them.