After School Care is SO MUCH MORE than Babysitting

After School Care is SO MUCH MORE Than Babysitting

When I was growing up, children didn't go to After School Care- just about everyone's mother was a stay-at-home Mom. We simply walked home when school was over, where Mom had our snack waiting for us.

A lot has changed since then. Schools aren't built in neighborhoods anymore and traffic has increased so much that walking to school could be very dangerous. Two-income families are the majority, and therefore children need After School Care.

What constitutes a great After School program? The program should be an easy transition from school to follow-up care. Counselors should be there waiting to welcome the children. Children need to feel loved and cared for by their counselor. An After School caregiver must get involved and help with homework, be interested in the childrens' concerns, and play with the children. Sitting on the sidelines is not what a child wants or needs from their caregiver.
Children are not concerned with how much an After School Counselor knows. The children will know how much their counselors care by their actions.

That is how I know After School is much more than babysitting.

Mary Lou Hayes
Director of After School and Summer Camp