A quality after-school program space promotes the development of the entire child through different interests areas. Providing for individual interests and developmental needs is important to a successful after-school program. There are nine core interest areas fundamental to the development of a quality after-school programs. This guide will help you turn any space into a quality after school environment. Read on to see how to set up an after school program space that encompasses those nine centers.
A few very basic tips before you start to plan or reinvent your after-school program: Make sure the space is large and open to ensure proper supervision. A quality program has limited visual obstructions. A cafeteria or gym space is often a good location for an open concept program. If your program is located in one of these places; use carts, tables, and natural dividers to segregate your program into the nine core interest areas. When you create your ideal space, keep in mind observation, noise levels, and flow of the program.
Sign-In & Parent Area
This is the first thing people see when they enter your program. It is where the children sign in and the parents sign out. This space is the information hub of your program. The sign in and out area should feel warm and inviting. You will need to provide all the information required by your state licensing agency at this table. Some items that may the state requires include, a snack menu, weekly lesson plans, your state license and more. Check in with your state authorities for a complete list of required documents.
If your site is a setup and take-down site, you can use cardboard display boards to present the information required. They are easy to move around and fairly durable. Other items you will want at your sign-in parent area include; parent mailboxes to easily communication with families, Kleenex and clipboards with daily or weekly attendance rosters.
Arts & Craft Center and your After School Environment
The first area of focus is the arts and crafts section of your program. This space should feature a craft cart full of consumable crafting products such as markers, craft sticks, pompoms, crayons, paper, and any other consumable product. Craft carts ideally will be a quality, durable shelving unit, however if you program can not afford the wooden carts you can use a cheaper metal alternative. Check out our list of the best furniture for your program budget, this guide gives three affordable options for all child care furniture.
This area should contain a decent-sized table for kids to gather and create art. When children arrive, the craft area should have on display consumable items for them to use. This presents a welcoming after school space where children feel safe to express themselves through art.
Another feature of the crafting area should be a display center. A place where children can see their work reflected in their program. This can be a bulletin board, a wire string you hang artwork from, or just a simple cardboard display board where you can tack up pictures.
Set up an After School Program Constructs and Building Area
The next area of focus is the constructs area. This space contains blocks, magna tiles, k’nex, and anything kids can use to build. Feel free to check out our list of the best building toys for building materials for school age children. This section of a program is important because it encourages kindergartners to use hand eye coordination, and 5th and 6th graders to use critical thinking skills. Most children enjoy building and creating, the manipulative area allows them to do just that.
This area will look like a rug on the ground with a few buckets of manipulative toys spread out around the carpet. I highly recommend the “Game Time Carpet” Its big design allows 8-10 kids to play at one time, it has unique design that adds to cooperative play, it is durable and high quality.
If your budget does not allow for a big rug a simple 4×6 rug will be sufficient for 4-6 children to play at one time. If you have a large program consider offering two different manipulative areas. One for younger children and one for older children. This allows kids to play at a more age appropriate level. Most of the time you can easily use the same toys for both age groups, however, the way they use the toys will be much different.
Offer only a few building materials option at a time. Putting out only a few of these option at a time allows kids to play cooperatively with others. Cooperative play promotes sharing, taking turns, and conflict resolution, all skills which are important to healthy development of children. Besides the social skills kids will develop, limiting the number of manipulatives available at one time allows you to switch out the toys to provide a new fresh and interesting after school environment for the kids.
Dramatic Play Center for your After School Environment
Items in the dramatic play area can include dress-up clothes, dolls, matchbox cars, barbies, action figures, pretend food, puppets and more. This area should be located close to the manipulative area so children can use both the structures they built in the manipulatives and the dramatic play items to further their cooperative play.
The dramatic play area should be presented on a rug with a few play props positioned around the carpet. Again a 4×6 rug is sufficient in supporting 4-6 children playing at one time. If you have a large program, even a program that serves over 30 children, I recommend you create separate dramatic play areas for younger and older children. Unlike the manipulatives, the toys that younger kids use for dramatic play differ from those older kids use. If you have the space and the budget create two spaces do it. Again, offer only a few options for play to encourage social skill development and to keep kids interested when you switch out the dramatic play toys.
Reading Area and Quiet Space
The reading area should contain a bookshelf with enough books for a ratio of three books to every child. If resources are tight the local library is a great resource to bulk up your reading nook. Books should offer a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, biographies, picture books and more. Books should also represent the children in your program, seek books that show people of all races, ethnicity and cultures.
When children arrive, they should see a few books on display. If you offer a weekly theme, this is a good opportunity to present kids with a book about that theme to build knowledge and interest. If you do not offer a weekly theme just pick a few favorites books and set them out to invite children to the quiet area.
In addition to the books, the reading space should offer a quiet low energy space for kids to relax. This includes a rug and soft space items such as beanbags, soft furniture and pillows. There should be enough furniture for 20% of the children in your care. The reading area can be a shared space for all children.
Board Game Areas in your After School Environment
The board game area should have a specific table, and a cart or shelf that contains all the games. There should be enough games for every child to be engaged in a game at one time. Games, like the manipulative and dramatic play toys, can be rotated to keep kids interested and the after school environment engaging.
There should be a designated area for board games. When children arrive board games should be set up to draw the children’s attention and make it easy for kids to engage with others. This makes the board game space more appealing and welcoming to kids.Notice the game set up on the table. This allows children to engage in play with little effort.
Set up an After School Program Constructs and Building Area Homework Help Center
The homework area should be located away from the board games, manipulative and dramatic play areas. It should be located in a quiet space to allow children to work efficiently to complete their homework.
When children arrive this area should have pencils, paper, rulers, erasers and any supplies children may need to complete their homework. If staffing allows, a staff member should be close by to assist children who have questions or need guidance with academic.
Snack Table Area
The snack area should Clean and inviting to children. In an interest of time and manpower, prep snack before children arrive. Clean tables with soap and water, and then a bleach water solution to ensure sanitation. Put snack on the table so when children arrive they have the option to eat immediately.
Depending on the snack being served the table should include, napkins, bowls, spoons, forks, cups. Have on hand serving ware such as bowls, tongs, spoons and serving gloves. Depending on your kitchen situation you may also need a service cart, to move snack from the prep area to the serving area.
You should serve snack family style. What this means is snack is set out on the table just as it would be at home. Serving snack in this manner requires kids to pass food around the table and communicate with others to ask for seconds or other items they need in a manner that promotes respect and communication. Serving snack in a family style manor allows children to develop and practice table manners. Check my article Snack planning tips and tricks to help you develop a snack plan.
Gross Motor, Gym or Outdoor Space
The gross motor area should include a large area for active group play. This space is usually a gym or active outdoor space. Supplies you should have on hand include, basketballs balls, footballs, dodge balls, jump ropes and playground balls.
Depending on the interests of the children in your care you may want to invest in other playground equipment. If your gross motor area is a distance from your regular program area, a ball cart is a good idea.
Get the Champion Sports Equipment Cart. It took my a while to figure this out, a ball bags seemed like a much more economical alternative compared to a ball cart. But I was replacing the ball bags every 6 months or so. With all the money I spent on ball bags I could have paid for the cart. Definitely something worth investing in from the start.
