Congregations Caring for Children

Starting After School Programs:

Starting After School Programs:

Starting After School Programs:

Starting After School Programs:

Starting After School Programs:

Some Considerations

Some Considerations

Some Considerations

Some Considerations

Some Considerations

Part 1:

Step by step Plan for Establishing School Age Care in Elementary School or Commu 

nity Space, i.e. church/synagogue, Y, Boys/Girls Club, etc.

1. Find parents who are interested   Contact PTA

2. Contact the principal of a local school (if not already involved in the planning)

3. Develop a broad base of support   involve those with interest in children and child

care

4. Identify a person to  spearhead  the effort   parent, teacher, community education

person, church youth leader, social worker, child care professional

5. Determine the need: Develop simple survey i.e. how many children in home are in

K 6? Is after school care a serious need for your children? Summer care? Estimate

enrollment   20 30% of people who say yes to survey will probably take advantage of

service

6. Is space available? (Critical Question) empty classroom, church, community center.

Sharing space such as a kindergarten room emphatically not recommended. The space

should be set aside for the after school program's use exclusively.

7. Sponsorship   who is going to administer and govern it?

a) Must examine various structure models (will be determined in part by availability of

community resources such as space)

By schools in the schools (example: school administration, community education)

By independent agency in the schools (example: parent group, social service agency)

By independent agency in non school facility (example: church, recreation program,

Boys Club)

By day care center in their facilities

By family day care providers in their own homes

b) With sponsorship and space determined develop a board of directors (if housed in a

school include liaison with school   i.e. principal and teacher representative)

Board responsibilities:

setting numbers and ages of children to be served

setting hours, days and months of operation (snow day policy, conference days,

minor holidays like Columbus Day, major holidays like Christmas/New Years?)

establishing enrollment and admissions policies, forms, etc.

establishing financial management system

setting salary scale   recruiting and selecting staff   setting staff policies

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