What Are The Benefits Of Before And After School Care

1. What Are The Benefits Of Before And After School Care? Before and after school care places have seen immense change over the years. No doubt, at one point their focus was only to keep the kids busy. The parent could pick up the child from the daycare after work. However, recent developments in childcare and growth show us that entertaining them is not enough. These early years are the stepping stone to their future. Consequently, parents now require care programs instead. These programs focus on giving the child age-appropriate enriching care. The specifics, of course, vary according to the child's age and needs. However, it is necessary to offer them these experiences so they can develop cognitive abilities along with their peers. Fortunately, such Before and After School Programs have now become common around us. They offer peace of mind to busy parents knowing their child's needs are met. Defining the Terms - Before and After School Care Before and after school refers to the key hours between the child's school and parents' work that intersect. For instance, work may start an hour or two earlier than school does. Furthermore, some parents can have constantly changing shifts and it is necessary to have such plans in place. Additionally, school hours are also shorter than work hours. During those hours, it is not safe to leave the children by themselves. Instead, those hours can be useful in keeping them productive and encouraging healthy hobbies. This is where before and after school programs come into play. Now that you understand what these services are, let’s take a look at how they can benefit you. 1- Supervision and Safety The number one benefit is that you’ll have someone to supervise your children. This is especially necessary if your children are too young to spend an hour or two alone at home. The staff will not only supervise your kids, but they’ll also provide a safe environment for them. The place will have toys, books, and various activities for them to partake in. The aim is to keep them busy, entertained, and productive during these extra hours. Moreover, the activities vary according to the age of the child as well. 2- Academic Support Some before and after school programs also offer support academically. ● To begin with, they help children with their homework. First, they encourage the child to complete their homework while they’re a the program. Furthermore, they’ll offer help and support if the child seems to be struggling. The staff are trained in various subjects and can help children in areas where they need help.

2. ● Additionally, there are plenty of academic enrichment activities. These activities are designed to help them with their studies and build essential skills. Some activities also include experiments with the subjects they study. ● Depending on the program, they will have a variety of activities. Some also offer music and dance lessons to enhance their extracurricular activities. Moreover, a few programs also offer religious studies such as the bible. This is to enhance their religious knowledge and an opportunity to discuss with other students. 3- Socialization In the before and after school care, your kids can socialize with children of all ages. Socializing is a necessary skill for survival. Moreover, it helps them gain an intrinsic understanding of how to socialize with people of all ages. Since these programs feature toddlers up to primary schoolers. In some cases, they may also have middle school kids as well. This ensures that your kids will have exposure to different children at different levels. This is a chance for them to interact with their peers outside of school hours. Moreover, they can build their social skills and form friendships in these safe spaces. 4- Enrichment Activities One of the most underrated benefits of before and after school programs is the variety of activities. This can include anything from arts and crafts to sports, music, and more. All these activities are designed to develop their interests and talents. Furthermore, learning new things is always beneficial for the mind and keeps the brain active. 5- Convenient for Parents Of course, as beneficial as this is for kids, it's even better for parents. As you rush to work every morning, you will want to know that your kids are not only safe but also occupied. Moreover, their academic needs are met while they are in these programs. As a result, you get to spend more time with them at home. They offer extra hours that can align with your work schedule thus reducing your stress as well. In short, your kids are in good hands. 6- Routine and Structure In addition to the above, such programs help reinforce routine and structure in kids' lives. It builds a routine that they can carry forward when they are older. They will learn to do their homework after school as they get to high school as well. Furthermore, it teaches them better how to manage their time and instills a sense of responsibility in them. Thus promoting discipline and self-control.

3. 7- Additional Support For Working Families Having access to reliable before and after school care can be crucial for working families. They allow parents to maintain their careers while ensuring their children are cared for in a nurturing environment. The fact that it comes with all the other benefits cinches the deal. Conclusion Overall, these programs play a vital role in supporting families by providing a safe and wholesome environment for children. Plus, they can benefit from help outside of school hours. This leaves you with free time to spend with your children after work. If you need additional support before and after school hours, get in touch with Joyful Noise Preschool and Daycare. Located in Morris County, NJ we aim to offer an enriching experience for all kids.