After School Care for Children
Kindercare, Day Care Programs and Extra-Curricular Activities
Sep 9, 2009
Once children are in school, finding the right childcare arrangements can become a little more complex than simply sending them to daycare in the morning and picking them up after work. Whether a child is in half-day kindergarten or a full day of school, it's important to organize childcare for the hours between the end of the school day and the end of a parent's work day.
Childcare for Kindergartners
If the local kindergarten is a half-day program instead of a full day, finding a childcare provider who is willing to go to the school to pick up a child can be a challenge. Some home based daycares or nannies will collect young children after school, especially if they are within walking distance of the school. Other options for kindergartners are kindercare programs operated by the school or other community based program such as the YMCA. Often a kindercare program will be run inside the same school building or have a bus service between the school and the daycare centre.
After-School Care for Elementary Students
Other after-school care options include hiring a neighboring parent to pick up the child after school and provide a snack and playtime, asking a relative or trusted teen babysitter to provide after-school care, or using a school based after-school program. Options such as hiring a neighbour or teen are often cheaper, but organized after-school programs can be more fun for outgoing kids because many of their peers will attend too. Be sure to get the child's input regarding after-school care, as more introverted children may prefer to go somewhere quiet where they can unwind after a long school day.
Extra-Curricular and Enrichment Activities
Enrolling a child in extra-curricular enrichment activities such as dance, drama or tutoring can fill the hours between school and the end of the work day, especially for older children and teens who can walk to these activities. Activities that are not within walking distance can be an option if two or more families share the pick-up and drop-off duties. It may be tempting to try to use after-school hours to boost a child's education with extra enrichment activities that a working parent may not have time to provide, but be careful that the child doesn't become overworked. Even older kids still need lots of time to play freely and let off steam through physical activity.
Whether a child goes back to the neighbor's house with a stay-at-home mom or walks down the hall to the after-school program, it is important that the child is safe, able to get to and from after-school care either by himself or with another responsible adult, and has the opportunity to either participate in fun activities or relax quietly.
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