Important Questions You Need To Be Asking Your Child’s Afterschool Program
January 25, 2018
To busy working parents, having a good afterschool program is considered a godsend. It’s essential to look for a haven where your children can enjoy, loosen up, and have fun while they get much needed support towards projects and homework.
Here we share the questions you need to be asking any childcare centre or provider you may be considering for your child.
- What is the current adult-to-child ratio?
- How many children are of the same age as my child?
- Do your volunteers or care providers have any background in child development or in dealing with attention or learning difficulties with children?
- How are kids disciplined? How are they encouraged to resolve disagreements?
- How much time do you allocate for social and physical activities?
- Are children provided with constant supervision?
- What balance do you offer in terms of academic and social activities?
- Is the program dynamic enough that it keeps things interesting for the kids?
- How are kids encouraged to try out new things?
- Is there a designated area where children can do their homework?
- Do you provide homework assistance?
- Does the center provide computer and internet access should the kids need it in doing their homework?
- How will you give feedback regarding the development of my child?
- What hours are you open? What happens if I won’t be able to pick my child up on time?
- Do you have someone certified in performing CPR and first aid?
- What kinds of food and snacks do you provide?
While these questions may cover off the essentials that you need to know and understand, each parent have varying concerns. Do not hesitate to communicate those with your child’s afterschool program. What’s most important is that you are confident that your child will be in an environment where he can get the care and support that he needs.
