After School Program

[Balgus]

My friends are thinking about opening an afterschool program. Its primary function is to cater to parents who cannot pick up their children directly afterschool and help them with their HW.

The program will consist of:
*1HR supplementary curriculum - HW time where student will get help - and supplementary coursework that mirrors tat of the school with an emphasis on grammar and composition.
*1HR Physical fitness - not like kids dont get enough exercise already, but most will enjoy just another hour to unwind with thier friends... Organized sports like flag football, soccer, and softball will be coordinated.
*1HR art instruction - not arts and craft - but technique and tips. This will take them from simple shapes to perspective drawing to painting watercolors and acrylics of still life and landscapes. There are also have plans of print art, paper mache, and clay sculpting.

So as parents, (if you are not a parent, then pretend you are with a 10 year old child) would you enroll your child into such a program if it were held at the school in which your child is enrolled, and how much is such a program worth to you?

Any suggestions or points of clarification is welcome -a nd very much encouraged.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[Gilladian]

What, your school district isn't already providing such a program? There are several free programs in my community for latchkey kids.

I think it also depends a LOT on the area you live in. Here, if it cost more than $100 a month, parents would not be able to afford it and wouldn't do it.

If it was in one of the more affluent suburban school districts, then maybe a higher fee would be acceptable, but they usually have after school activities already for those kids.

Nice idea, but I don't see it flying here...

 

[Kahuna Burger]

You need a "less than 200 / would not pay for such a program" option. I voted 200-250, but that was under the assumption that I absolutely needed the job that I couldn't get more flexible hours with. (Or had landed a dream job I was enjoying for it's own sake.) All things considered, at my usual hourly income, I'd be better off working slightly less or different hours than paying for afterschool care. (If I was working at a vet clinic again, I'd probably just bring the meatball there after school.)

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

We have my daughter in an afterschool program through the Boys and Girls Club that we pay between $400 and $500 per month for. That program allows us to drop her off at the Club in the morning and take the bus from there, then afterschool the program runs until 6pm if needed (usually pick her up about 4:45, but nice to have the flexibility). It also covers some smaller holidays, days school is closed for professional development, early dismissal days and snow days.

The program isn't quite as structured as the proposed one sounds. They provide quiet homework time, but no additional cirriculum. They have activities which the kids can participate in; arts and crafts, pick-up games in the gym, time on the playground, etc.

Honestly the program listed here is of no interest to me, so its hard to say how much I would be willing to pay. I don't like too much structure for kids. They have been in school all day. Let them have some time to be kids, not three more hours of a different school.