Developing School Age Childcare - Department of Children and ...

“Shot from a cannon, funnelled through the narrow door only to explode in yourpresence, school age children will arrive in the programme each day. The afternoonprogramme should be the exact opposite of the morning one, as staff work to helpchildren release energy in safe and creative ways. ...There must be strenuous, largemuscle activities that allow for noise making and laughter and whole body action -whatever you can think of that requires the body to channel its energy in bursts in a safeway.“Occasionally some children may arrive looking and feeling totally drained by thestresses of the school day. These children need to be re-energised - a quick snack andsome time to talk with staff and friends will help them get ready for the rest of theafternoon.“The after school programme should provide a wide variety of activities designed to meetthe needs of children, enrich their experience and assist them in achieving academicsuccess. The question of whether or not a programme should offer tutoring and requirechildren to complete homework is often debated...“The afternoon schedule should take the children from where they are when they arriveby providing for the use of large and small muscles, by allowing time to socialise and byletting them create, explore and, most importantly, play.“Towards the end of the afternoon, it is helpful to engage the children in small groupactivity.... This will help the children towards the next transition: going home.... Suchactivities should allow children to leave quietly when parents arrive without spoiling theactivity. From the parent’s perspective, there is nothing worse than having to wait for theend of an activity, video showing, etc.” 519.2.4 In relation to the holiday period, the NNCC notes that“Vacations provide a wonderful opportunity to explore the world beyond the centre andto introduce children to historical and cultural sites in the area. It is also time for longertermcomplex projects. Full day programmes should be exciting and fun....“Planning a daily schedule is important not only for [the childcare workers’] sanity butalso to allow the children to know and understand a routine. It provides security andallows the children to know what choices are available and when...” 529.2.5 The Working Group is of the view that every childcare practitioner with experience inthe delivery of school age childcare will empathise with these views and see the merit inthese recommendations.9.2.6 In Britain, the Kids’ Club Network notes that“A quality scheme provides a planned range of safe and creative, positive opportunitieswhich provide ownership by children and young people for many elements of theProgramme.” 53The recommendations parallel those made by the Australian and American organisationsand suggest that the programme be based on themes and projects; be flexible with arange of options and differences each day; include children’s own time out and beprepared in consultation with the children who should actively participate in theprogramme design and development.64 51 NNCC : ibid. Page 952 NNCC : Ibid. Page 1053 NNCC : Ibid. Page 10