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Original poster

What would YOU like to see in an after school club?

72 replies

domesticsluttery · 02/12/2010 19:41

I have an interview next week for a job running the after-school childcare club at a local primary school.

I want to wow the interview panel (which includes the school Head and Deputy Head) with my plans for how I am going to turn around the club, which currently suffers from lack of structure.

So, within the obvious constraints of a limited budget, what sort of things would you like to see a child of yours doing in an after school club? Would you like to see structure, with activities planned which have specific learning aims, or would you prefer for children to have more "down time" playing computer games or watching DVDs? Or maybe a balance of both? Would you like the children to have a say in what they do, with activities planned around their suggestions and interests?

Also for any teachers reading, would you like to see the after school club at your school be an extension of the learning that they do in the classroom or do you think they should just be able to relax?

I would be really grateful for any ideas that I can put into my "action plan" for the club.

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smokinaces · 02/12/2010 20:43

I really like our after school club.

They have a Wii or DVDs on the big interactive screen. loads of bean bags, loads of craft stuff, books, computers. General vegging out stuff, with the option of more stimulating if they want. The 11 year olds quite often play/entertain the 4 year olds in games and they always seem happy and content.

They also use a different room for their meal, which they are encouraged to help prepare and clean up from.

DS1 adores it, and so do I. I wouldnt want him doing anything too structured as at 4 its a long day with school as it is, but there is just enough there, great balance IMO.

midnightexpress · 02/12/2010 20:45

Try telling that to the curriculum for excellence people in Scotland Wilf. I agree with you btw, but nurseries are full of children doing 'self-directed learning', which mostly seems in ds2's case to involve playing with cars. Hmm

I am a bit of a sceptic, despite trying to be progressive in my attitudes towards learning...

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 02/12/2010 20:46

WillShelf that was the kind of "organised" that I was thinking of. I didn't mean that I was going to march everyone into a corner to do the activity that I had planned, just that there would be a planned activity (probably based around a suggestion from a child) for part of the session and that everyone would be encouraged to have a go.

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2fedup · 02/12/2010 20:47

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WilfShelf · 02/12/2010 20:47

God, it's so depressing. What my kids need to do after a long day at school is RUN and JUMP. A lot.

I'm afraid I don't think it is good enough to say 'oh sorry we don't have the space'. Fine. I won't use you then... Physical activity should be fundamental IMHO.

bigchris · 02/12/2010 20:49

I agree with southeastra

if parents want organised activities they tend to send the kids to swimming lessons, art club, piano teacher etc

afterschool club should be an extension of what they would do at home which is chill
so access to the playground very important
access to bikes, tv, DVDs, important
a quiet room so older kids can do their homework if they want

asdx2 · 02/12/2010 20:49

Dd's school has lots of after school opportunities such as gymnastics, football rugby, netball, running club, film club, cheer leading, street dance,dance, tai chi etc so children are able to go to those activities and then into after school club. The clubs cost the same per hour as the after school club so parents pay the same whether they do a sporting activity or go to after school club.

2fedup · 02/12/2010 20:49

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

southeastastra · 02/12/2010 20:49

playworkers running after school clubs should be at least level 3 qualified in playwork

\link{http://www.skillsactive.com/playwork\this is useful} really makes sense when you see it working in rl

maktaitai · 02/12/2010 20:50

ds lasted a session and a half at the afterschool club... here's what would have made me leave him there longer.

absolutely NO learning outcomes (is that even allowed any more??) but some planned activities that are fun - not nec every day.

It would be ideal if the afterschool club didn't have a telly. IMO if it's not there, children don't ask for it nearly as much.

I would love it if there were a genuinely quiet area/room, with books/beanbags and a table for anyone who wants to do homework/writing, or just to let the noise of school fade from their ears. Each child to have a folder so they can stick anything they are working on in there and find it again? Maybe also the biggest jigsaw suitable for the age group, which can be left in place as an ongoing project (I know it's rare to have a permanent space for an ASC). Always an adult around this room, to send anyone who's getting noisy out.

Packs of cards and board games, with instructions for card games.

Every child expected to be outside for at least part of the session, but not my God forced to do organised team sports (though it would be nice to have sports that are flexible on numbers, e.g. French cricket, rounders, bowls, skittles, hoops, that sort of thing. Also a couple of proper footballs, cricket bat, small goals. A trampoline would be fab but again a bit of a dream maybe. A parachute silk is lovely for a bit of inclusive outdoor stuff. A chapter of a story read every day for those who want it - could have 2 stories running for separate age groups.

2 or 3 children every session to make snacks for the others, e.g. muffins, scones, flapjacks (assuming you have access to an oven/basic kitchen stuff). A lot of those can be done in a microwave anyway.

WilfShelf · 02/12/2010 20:50

Why assume what kids do at home is chill? Between 3.30 and dinner time what my kids do best at home is run around like loons. Why can't ASC offer that to them?

LB29 · 02/12/2010 20:52

I wouldn't want my kids watching tv. I really like the idea of it being like it was at my kids old playgroup where they had different activities set out and the kids can pick what they would like to do. A table for home work, another for crafts, a computer for educational games etc.

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 02/12/2010 20:52

Obviously if I could magic up a larger room I would! However I have to base my interview around what is currently there, which is a 12x8ft room. This room has a sofa and beanbags, tables and chairs, cooking facilities, toys, computer, TV, cupboards for craft stuff, bookshelves etc etc... which doesn't leave a huge amount of floorspace and certainly not enough to use a parachute or similar safely! In a couple of months it will be light and hopefully dry and warmer in the evenings and we would be able to do more outside, but until then running and jumping in that space would be rather dangerous.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 02/12/2010 20:54

they do need to offer all these things though don't they? that's the beauty of it. offering a choice to the children who want to run around, read, do art, go on computer, go on playstation etc

bigchris · 02/12/2010 20:54

Wilfshelf - I meant by chill running around or watching tv or whatever they would do to chill out at home
don't know why people are against tv
don't you let them watch it after school while you're cooking tea?

maktaitai · 02/12/2010 20:54

ooh lego and that brio wooden version of meccano

2fedup · 02/12/2010 20:55

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maktaitai · 02/12/2010 20:56

well the lack of space is a good reason to take the computer and telly out...

how many children are you allowed in that space?

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 02/12/2010 20:58

As it happens, my children don't usually watch TV when they come home from school. In the summer they usually go straight back outside to play, in the winter they tend to play lego or board games, play piano and read. But I am acutely aware that what I do at home is not necessarily what parents want their children to do at an after school club.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 02/12/2010 20:59

it should be child led - not what the parents want.

SherbetDibDab · 02/12/2010 21:01

Not read all of this but my kids go to a fab after-school club so I thought I could give some feedback.

I love it then when I walk in the staff are engaged in playing and talking to the children. They're never found chatting amoungst themselves.

On the days my children don't attend they want to go over and say hello to the staff.

There are organised activities each day, a bit of baking or crafts but they're not compulsory. I really like the kids to be able to chill after school but at the same time there's something going on.

Will you ASC have outdoor space because I think kids should be able to play outside as much as they like.

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 02/12/2010 21:01

I think it is registered for 16 children. Just realised I wrote ft when I meant metres Blush

Perhaps some of the children can teach me how to measure properly!

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Original poster
domesticsluttery · 02/12/2010 21:04

"it should be child led - not what the parents want"

Yes, but ultimately it is the parents who decide whether or not to send their chidl to a setting!

I agree that it should be child led, hence my suggestion of asking the children what they like doing and working their interests into the planning.

OP posts:
grendel · 02/12/2010 21:07

There are some good ideas for out of school club activities here:

www.facebook.com/pages/Out-of-School-Alliance/114591595252973

and lots more on their main website - including quite a few running around and shrieking ones to burn off excess energy - but you do need to register to see those.

southeastastra · 02/12/2010 21:08

yes but you have to make parents understand how important 'free play' is

you have to be the child's advocate in promoting their right to play

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