Choosing school age child care (1086)

It's the working parent's dilemma: How to find safe, fun and affordable care for school age children either before and after school or in the summer.

You may have several options in your community. Check with the local schools, parks and recreation programs, churches, child care centers and family child care providers. The three important areas to evaluate when choosing a program are the environment, the program and the communication with the family.

Does the environment provide room for quiet activities such as reading; physical activities like sports; and creative activities like art? Are there clear and consistent ground rules for safety? Does the staff know where the kids are at all times? Do they have a procedure for emergencies?

The key to programming is flexibility. Are kids able to choose from a variety of activities? Does the staff encourage them to be creative? Does the staff understand the different needs of children, based on their age, ability, culture and language? How does the staff respect individual differences? School age children should take part in planning their activities.

Look at how the program connects with the family. Do parents feel welcome? Does the staff inform parents about what's going on?

Your school age child needs to be some place that allows him or her to be safe and to grow. Searching for the right program is very important.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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