Starting afterschool program

National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. Resources on Children's Online Privacy. The Food and Nutrition Information Center.

Websites About Safe Communities. Americans with Disabilities Act. Center for Mental Health Services. Emergency Planning for Schools. Healthy People Injury and Violence Prevention and Control. Museums and Libraries: Engaging America's Youth. National Immunization Program. School Bus Safety. What Works Clearinghouse. Youth Topics Afterschool Activities. Afterschool Programs. Afterschool Workforce Development.

Benefits for Youth, Families, and Communities. Funding for Afterschool Programs. Youth Voices Alavi. Youth Briefs. How Individualized Education Program IEP Transition Planning Makes a Difference for Youth with Disabilities Youth who receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA and especially young adults of transition age, should be involved in planning for life after high school as early as possible and no later than age Youth Transitioning to Adulthood: How Holding Early Leadership Positions Can Make a Difference Research links early leadership with increased self-efficacy and suggests that leadership can help youth to develop decision making and interpersonal skills that support successes in the workforce and adulthood.

Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care: Challenges and Solutions Nearly 30, youth aged out of foster care in Fiscal Year , which represents nine percent of the young people involved in the foster care system that year.

Civic Engagement Strategies for Transition Age Youth Civic engagement has the potential to empower young adults, increase their self-determination, and give them the skills and self-confidence they need to enter the workforce. Help Spread the Word About youth. Feature Articles Just Launched! Their State hotline is This site offers information about obtaining and maintaining a child care license and outlines the first steps:. The Afterschool Alliance has a plethora of resources, tools, and tips for starting an afterschool program in your community.

The NC Center for Nonprofits has compiled this information packet as a complimentary service for visitors. The Center does not provide consulting services or assistance in filing documents for nonprofit status. They recommend you contact an attorney for help with the legal process. One goal could be to provide an afterschool snack and homework assistance.

Each goal must relate to the children you expect to enroll in your program and the academic environment they are in. Conduct community meetings to discuss the needs of the neighborhood and a potential framework for an afterschool program. Gathering parents, teachers, and civic leaders creates a potent source of information. Every company needs a business plan. A business plan explains what the company does, how financials will be handled, forecasts, budgets and details about your leadership and organizational structure.

Investors and lenders will require it as will grant providers. Licensing is a state requirement for most childcare businesses. There may also be local requirements in some larger cities. Licensure generally requires putting specific safety protocols in place and creating a safe environment for the children.

Legal requirements vary from state-to-state and may change depending on the age group you serve. Some church and school-run afterschool programs are exempt from certain requirements.

Licensing may cover food-handling, attendance monitoring procedures, and the child-to-staff ratio. The state Department of Health and Human Services or the Education Department can help you determine the licensing requirements in your state.

Safety is central to state licensing. While you are planning your program, devote plenty of time to considering all the safety issues you must address to comply with regulations and keep the children safe. When you select games and toys, make sure they are age-appropriate for the youngest in your group.

If you provide outdoor equipment, follow protocols on the type of surface you place beneath equipment and keep everything in repair. Place broken toys and equipment out of service immediately. Starting a successful afterschool program is hard, but managing one is an even more challenging task. Fortunately, there are a few very simple tips that will ensure your afterschool program's success. These guiding principles and protocols are the foundation of any successful afterschool program. Being proactive when it comes to addressing the potential situations that arise when running an afterschool program can help you avoid costly missteps in the future.

Be sure that all staff is provided with a copy of the afterschool program's policies and procedures. Child care best practices are consistently evolving. You and your staff need to keep up with new trends and supporting research to ensure you provide the best care.

Don't grow stagnant and fall behind the competition. You'll need to ensure that staff feels empowered and encouraged to continue their training and education. Not only does this provide a competitive edge for your afterschool program, but it means you'll be employing experts in the field.

Consider offering benefits, such as bonuses for staff who complete training programs or gain advanced child care degrees.

Communication is the key to success for any collaborative project, and nothing requires a more collaborative effort than providing child care. An afterschool program works in collaboration with a child's school staff, family, coaches and more to provide the best care possible.

Keeping the lines of communication open between all parties can ensure the child benefits from consistent care. Your staffing can help you achieve effective communication.

Hiring an experienced front office manager and secretary can ensure all communication is promptly addressed. As the founder of an afterschool program, it's easy to become overwhelmed by all the essential tasks and duties that come with managing a program.

That's why an efficient and powerful child care management system is vital to your afterschool program's success. The right child care management software can support your business's success by streamlining all the administrative tasks of an afterschool program. Vanco's Smartcare software is one of the leading child care management software systems.