For working parents, or those that may just need a little extra time for tasks or rest at the end of the day, afterschool care is a great opportunity to find a couple of spare hours.

Afterschool care is not just a great chance for parents to find some time, it’s also an opportunity for children to develop, learn, and grow outside of school hours. When parents think of afterschool care it’s usually thought of as just the program that the school provides, however there are also other ways to occupy kid’s time and attention after school hours.

The most common type of afterschool care is the program that the primary school itself will provide. These are often run by teachers or volunteers on the school grounds, and include things like playing games, creative activities and time for help with homework. Given that afterschool care is at the end of a long school day for kids, there are usually a few activities for the children to choose from, as some may need to exert some more energy, and some may just like to sit and read in the corner for some downtime.

There are also other types of afterschool care are run outside of school grounds. Many community centres run afterschool programs like those provided by the primary school, with a few structured activity options for children.

Extracurricular activities like sports training, music lessons and art classes are also a great way for children to fill their evenings after school. If your child has interests and hobbies they enjoy, it is a great way for them to nurture their interests, and at the same time, give parents some time for tasks or downtime.

Outside of the extra time it provides parents and caregivers, afterschool care is an opportunity for kids to interact with peers, build friendships and improve their communication skills. A good, structured program will also give children the opportunity to find and foster activities that they enjoy outside of the classroom. 

Many kids love afterschool care because it is something different from their usual schedule, along with the excitement of planned fun and the opportunity to play with friends outside of school hours.

Professional programs will also give parents the security in knowing that their kids are being properly supervised.

Before you sign off on the dotted line for afterschool care there are a few things to consider.

Ensure that the program fits into your own schedule and allows for a certain level of flexibility. If it’s an outside of school program make sure that the travel time is minimal, and make sure that the program is aligned with your child’s interests and learning needs.

Possibly the biggest thing to consider is the fees that you will be paying. Many schools have free afterschool care as part of the yearly school fees, however if this is not the case, or you are considering afterschool care elsewhere, make sure that the pricing aligns with your budget.

Make a visit to the program prior to sending your child to see how it is conducted. Once your child is participating in the program, make sure to talk to them about their feelings, and whether they are enjoying their afterschool care visits.

Make sure to pack appropriate children’s runners and active clothing in their schoolbag for any active programs and games.

Check out your local Athlete’s Foot store for a professional fitting from our friendly team. We have everything kid’s feet need for the school year. Shop our school shoes and sports shoes for some great styles, and check out our accessories for socks and shoe cleaners for all you need for back to school time.