Working for an After School Program

    After school programs are sites for children in elementary or middle school to seek help with homework, create arts and crafts projects, play sports, and hang out with friends. It also provides a place for children to stay when their parents can't pick them up after school or if they are weary about leaving their child home alone. The sites can be on campus or can be located near an elementary or middle school.

     When I was a child growing up, I was never enrolled into an after school program. Back then, I didn't think much of it but I realize now the importance of these programs. I have been working with children in after school programs for almost four years now. In the span of this time, I have worked at two different sites and have substituted at three. These past four years of work have been fun, exciting, interactive, and one hundred percent positive. It even has inspired me to become an elementary school teacher in the near future. Is this line of work interesting you? Have you ever considered working for an after school program? Read on about my experiences/advice/quirks and maybe you'll be inspired to work for one today!

     When I started I was almost twenty, had little work experience, and never worked with children before. I was fortunate because a friend told me about an after school program position from her older sister. And that started my career.

Every site is different and has different requirements. But the overall, general, and minimum requirements to work are as follows-

• High school diploma.
• At least the age of eighteen possibly seventeen.
• No criminal record.
• Passion working with children.

Some sites may require some college credits in Child Development/Early Childhood but it all varies.

Ahhh. Let's take a look-

1. Providing snack to the children. You might have to do a small amount of cooking.
2. Helping children with homework at a K-8 level. (Not as easy as it sounds.)
3. Playing and getting involved with various sports and games. (Remember Tag and Handball?)
4. Interaction with parents. They love to hear about their child's behavior whether good or bad.
5. Interaction with co-workers. Most of the time you'll be working together with a certain group of children.
   
6. Interaction with teachers. You're helping the children complete the homework they assigned.
7. Interaction with children. Tons and tons of it.
8. Injury, illness, accidents, and "accidents." You know what I'm talking about.
   
9. Being a Big Brother/Sister or mentor.
10. F U N.
11. Job satisfaction.
    

1. Care about the job. You're providing for a human being.
2. Eventually you'll have to discipline a child for their wrong doing. Stay calm, assess the situation and create a proper punishment without embarrassing the child.
   
3. Set your problems and worries away when you go to work. Nothing is more damaging to a child than misplaced anger or negativity.
4. Interact with the children as much as possible. Correct their homework, play dodge ball with them, eat snack with them, ask them how their day went, or help them tie their shoes. Make sure they know you care. Every little bit counts.
5. Talk to the child's parents. They have the most insight and you'll learn many things about the child.
6. Sometimes you need to think like a child. Put yourself in their shoes and see with their eyes.
   
7. Take advantage of the work schedule. This job is normally part-time and the times are usually Monday through Friday around 2:00pm-6:00pm. If you're a college student like myself, I take day classes before 2:00pm and night classes after 6:00pm. It works out. Hey, free weekends! :)
8. Have fun! You get to hang out with children for a portion of your day!
   

      I love my job. I have been very fortunate for the past four years in terms of the people I've come across in this field of work. The children are simply amazing. Yes, I've had bad days but the good times and memories flush the bad right out. The best part of my work day is when a child bids me farewell before I say it to them. That's how I know they care and I make a difference in their lives. We do this job for the children and the future. It's in their hands.

:)