Before and After School Programs As a parent, what does your normal weekday looks like? Juggling between getting your kids ready for school, running late for your office, running errands, picking up kids from school, and so on?
Take a sigh of relief because before and after school child care programs are a perfect lifesaving opportunity for busy parents like you. There’s a study conducted by the Afterschool Alliance aimed to note the changes that occurred in the lives of parents who utilized before/aftercare programs for their kids. Based on the results obtained:
- 75% of parents stated that aftercare programs made it easier to retain their jobs.
- 60% of parents reported increased levels of productivity.
- And 55% reported decreased levels of stress.
How did this happen? Proceed to read further.
WHAT ARE BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMS?
Before and after school programs near La Porte, Texas are designed to help you balance your busy daily schedule as a parent. These programs allow you to drop off your children early, before the school day begins, at a childcare facility where they will receive trusted care and protection
Similarly, for after school program, you pick up your kid late or after getting done with your work day.
These programs are usually operational on the weekdays from as early as 6.30 am to 6 pm.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR IT?
Daycare before and after school programs are usually designed for kids ranging from kindergarteners to elementary or middle school students. They are a perfect way to fill up the gaps in your day and keep your kid engaged in helpful and fun activities during that time.
The eligibility criteria are quite simple. If your kid falls in any of the age ranges mentioned above, feel free to register your kid with one of these programs. Some of the daycare centers even provide transportation including ours, which make it a lot easier for you to send your kids there safely.
DOES THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE MEAL PLANS?
Yes, almost all of the reputable daycare centers offering these programs have proper nutritious meal plans for kids. It includes a healthy breakfast to start an energized day followed by some snacks in the afternoon. These meals are designed with careful consideration of kids’ dietary requirements including:
- Variable fruits.
- Proteins.
- Whole grains.
- Lentils.
- A balanced dose of lactose (milk, yogurt, etc)
The meal plans are designed with your input as a parent as well. It is to make sure the food your kid consumes is free from any allergens and dietary restrictions based on your preferences.
WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES ARE THE KIDS ENGAGED IN?
Usually, kids are engaged in a lot of fun activities for before and after school programs. This is why they not only supervise your kid throughout the day, instead, they enriches them with creativity and fun learning.
- In the before-school programs, kids are often introduced to light crafts such as salt dough sculptures, origami, beaded bracelets, paper plate animals, etc.
- They are also provided with assistance in getting ready for school.
- For after school programs, kids are often engaged in outdoor plays such as basketball, hide-and-seek, etc.
- They get help with completing their homework and assignments so that the evening home is spent stress-free for both you and your kid.
- Kids also get a great opportunity for socialization. They get to know a lot of fellow kids, introduce themselves, and make friends.
BENEFITS OF BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM:
- Peace of mind for parents:
As mentioned above the results of a study, 55% of the parents reported decreased levels of stress after sending their kids to these programs.
Why do you think it might have happened?
It is because these programs effectively help you to deal with your work-life knowing with a peaceful mind that the kids are safe and sound. This helps you spend your day stress-free and productive.
- Better academic performance in kids:
“Regular participation in high-quality afterschool programs is linked to significant gains in standardized test scores and work habits as well as reductions in behavior problems among disadvantaged students”, says the results of a study conducted by the researches at the University of California, Irvine, the University of Wisconsin Madison and Policy Studies Associates, Inc.
However, it is not restricted to disadvantaged kids only. According to research conducted by National evaluation found that nearly 40% of the kids who attended before/after school programs showed improved maths and reading skills.
- Physical activity:
These programs help to keep your kids active with various indoor and outdoor plays. It helps them to refine their motor skills in a healthy and playful environment.
- Improved social skills:
Humans are primarily social beings who work best in groups or teams. If your child struggles with socialization, it can be difficult for them to proceed through school and subsequently into the workforce. Before and after school programs assist children develop better social skills by allowing them to collaborate and play in group activities in which everyone must rely on one another to succeed.
Childhood is an important time to develop social skills because it is much more difficult for children who lack this foundation when they enter high school and the “real world.”
- It offers flexibility:
Finally, the most crucial one for you. These programs offer immense flexibility that you can schedule it based on your availability. Whether your schedule changes daily, weekly, or monthly, these programs are very flexible for any kind of accommodation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Before and after school programs are designed to help busy parents balance their work days by providing assistance with childcare.
Whether you require daily, weekly, or monthly support, you have the flexibility offered. Moreover, these programs help to keep your kids both physically and mentally active with playful games with arts and crafts.
If you’ve been thinking of enrolling your child in a before and after school program in La Porte, Texas, now is the perfect time. Feel free to reach out to us and let’s help you make your stressful day a bit peaceful.
