How to Find the Right Childcare (Before & After School)
Out-of-school time is one of the biggest challenges for American parents:
- For parents of younger kids, what do early years of daily childcare look like?
- For parents of school-age students, what before and after-school care is nearby?
- And finding childcare during the summer? That’s its own complicated story.
Add this mental workload to other modern parenting concerns, from determining when kids should have social media to keeping up with costs of living, and it puts a lot of pressure on parents. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General released a recent advisory warning that parents in the U.S. are more stressed than ever.
“Being a parent can be the greatest joy of one’s life, however, some days it’s just plain hard,” says Lorraine Orr, executive vice president and chief operations officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of America and parent to 7-year-old twins. “Building community and having a place where your kids can go — where they can just be kids while they learn and grow — is a gift to us all.”
As an out-of-school time provider for more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have decades of experience in supporting families navigating the childcare system in America. Clubs provide trained staff, fun programs and a sense of belonging that empower young people to build their self-esteem, grow as leaders and develop healthy habits.
Whether you’re looking for a Boys & Girls Club near you, daycare for preschool-age youth or general tips for choosing schools, we’ve got advice to get you started.
What to Look for in a Childcare Center or After-school Program
Finding the right youth development program for your child depends on a few factors. Some practical considerations include the location, ease of transportation, full-time or part-time availability, whether it’s a public school or private school program and the costs associated with childcare.
Here are steps for how to find an after-school program or daycare:
- First, discuss your must-haves as a family. Decide on which type of childcare you’re looking for and discuss your non-negotiables for cost, location, etc.
- Next, research childcare centers and youth-serving programs near you. At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we have a “find a Boys & Girls Club near you” search feature to help you find your closest Club. Search engines like Google are a start, but connecting with neighbors, friends and your community is often the best way to get a sense of where families are happiest. Knowing a family already there may also provide you with a referral to help get your foot in the door sooner.
- Once you have several programs in mind, it’s a good idea to take a tour of the facility, get to know the staff and consider your child’s well-being and development.
When touring a youth-serving organization, here are some essential factors to consider:
Safety is paramount. Ensure the facility is well-maintained, secure and adheres to safety regulations. Look for a program with a low staff-to-child ratio to guarantee adequate supervision. Additionally, inquire about their emergency procedures and how they handle medical situations.
“It’s critical that I know my children are in a safe environment, with an organization that clearly communicates their safety protocols and is transparent when a breach in those protocols happen,” says Orr. “This mitigates stress and frankly, allows me to remain focused at work so I can have the energy and mindset to truly engage with my children at the end of my day and theirs.”
Quality of care is equally important. Educators should be qualified, nurturing and experienced in child development. Observe how they interact with the children. Are they engaged with the kids, setting a positive environment? Is feedback given in a direct manner, versus a condescending one? A good program will encourage learning, social and emotional growth.
Finally, consider your child’s individual needs. Does the program align with your parenting values and educational goals for your child? Does it offer activities that interest your child? For tweens and teens, it’s especially important to find age-appropriate programs that make them want to come back day after day, such as youth advocacy and leadership programs, gaming and esports, and workforce readiness programs.
Boys & Girls Clubs serve young people ages 6-18 after-school and during the summer at more than 5,400 locations all over the nation and on U.S. military installations worldwide. Orr says, “Boys & Girls Clubs are a part of the fabric of America, a legacy institution with a proven-track record in helping to produce leaders across every industry. Clubs employ highly capable youth development professionals that are supplemented by volunteers who have a passion for developing young minds. And Clubs help youth build essential skills that ensure they go forward into the world life- and work-ready.”
Questions to Ask Childcare & After-school Providers
When you’re touring a youth-serving organization, this is your opportunity to ask questions to understand their policies for health and safety, their staff-to-child ratio and more.
Here are questions to ask youth-serving organizations and childcare centers:
- What is the staff-to-child ratio? What is the current number of children in your child’s potential class?
- What ages do you serve? Are children supervised at all times?
- Can you provide information about the qualifications and training of the staff? Are background checks performed for all staff members?
- How do you handle discipline and behavior management?
- What safety measures do you have in place, including emergency procedures?
- What does a typical day for children look like here?
- Do you provide meals and snacks? If so, what is included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- How do you take care of sick children? What is your policy on administering medication?
- What opportunities are there for outdoor play and physical activity?
- How do you communicate with parents about their child’s day and progress?
- What is your routine for pick-up and drop-off?
- Do you offer field trips and what are the safety protocols if so?
Here’s additional support for screening childcare organizations.
Questions to Ask Your Kid About School & After-school Programs
One of the best ways to know if your school or after/before-school program is meeting your needs is going straight to the source: your child. However, most parents know the question “how was school today?” leads to the dead-end answer “fine.”
But asking open-ended questions and being playful in your conversation can help paint a picture of how their day away from home goes.
Some questions to ask kids about their day include:
- Did anything funny happen at [school/program] today? What made you laugh?
- What was your favorite thing you learned at your [school/program]?
- What surprised you today?
- When you arrive at [school/program], what’s the first thing you do? What do you do next?
- If you could do ANYTHING at your [school/program], what would you do?
The Cost of After-school Care
The cost of childcare is a major conversation in our country, and for good reason. Sending your child to preschool, afterschool or other programs can be a significant financial burden for many families. While costs vary widely based on the provider, here are some considerations for navigating costs:
- For preschool-aged youth, many counties and states offer school lottery programs for youth ages 3-5 to be able to opt into funded programs. School choice programs also allow parents to choose the school setting that’s right for their child.
- Many after-school programs for school age children, including Boys & Girls Clubs, are nonprofits that rely on donor and government funding to provide services. This means there may be sliding-scale membership costs or scholarship opportunities. Club teen Jorge shares how his family qualified for a $25 Boys & Girls Club membership that changed the trajectory of his life.
- Consider benefits of investing in a specialized program to build skills versus the supervisory nature of babysitting. For tweens and teens, afterschool programs that have workforce readiness skill-building and leadership programs might help them earn college scholarships, certifications and networking skills.
Remember, the best childcare and after-school program is the one that feels right for your family. By asking the right questions, visiting the facility, and trusting your instincts, you can make an informed choice that benefits your child and your peace of mind.
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Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides mentorship, programs and meaningful life experiences that boost young people’s self-esteem, build confidence and contribute to overall positive well-being. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest resources and stories.
