Many parents working full-time have a problem looking for dependable and well-trusted care for their kids after school hours. Fortunately, an increasing number of institutions now provide out of school hours care (OSHC), also known as after-school care, particularly for kids aged 5-12 years old. Typically, the services offered by OSHCs include care and learning for kids after regular school hours or during summer breaks and holidays.

Finding an OSHC provider isn’t difficult as you can find one in your neighborhood or community centers. However, not all after-school care services are the same. Of course, you want the one where your kid will fit right in.

Here are some tips on how to choose the best out of school hours care for your child:

1. Check The Organization’s Policies

The first thing parents should look at in after-school care service is the provider’s policy regarding discipline, activities, and other vital issues such as bullying and openness. Of course, you want your OSHC provider to share your philosophy on how your kids are cared for and handled. For example, if you wish to enforce the values of respect, love, inclusion, and the importance of environmental sustainability, you’d want a company like Caboosh and others, which espouses the same principles.

2. Examine Their Programs For Kids

It’s never too early to guide children towards a career path ideal to their passions, abilities, and needs. It’d be best to let your child explore different fields, experiences, and activities in grade school. One place where they may discover their interests and start nurturing their strengths is in after-school care. 

Thus, parents should examine the variety of programs being considered by the OSHC provider for their kids. It’s vital to pick a care service that offers various learning opportunities in diverse fields. This step is essential to help your kids choose the right path and avoid career dilemmas in the future.

3. Look At Relationships

Before you commit to an out of school hours care provider, you should look at how their educators deal with the children. See if they’re friendly and warm to kids. You should also check if children happily and confidently interact with their teachers and other kids. Observe how adults and children respect each other. 

Look for a nurturing and encouraging learning environment. You don’t want to put your kid in a stressful place after school hours. Instead, you want one where children’s ideas and inputs are valued to build up their self-esteem.

4. Explore The Kinds Of Experiences Offered

Regular education typically focuses on academics that help children grow intellectually. However, experts believe that after-school programs are crucial in fostering social and emotional growth among kids. Many parents think that through OSHC, children are learning how to make decisions and are taught values like persistence, teamwork, and resilience. 

So, when choosing an out of school hours care, parents must look at what type of experiences the provider includes in their service. Do they offer technology-related activities? Do they encourage kids to participate in community projects like art shows or clean-up drives? Are there activities that help boost self-confidence among the young ones? What new skills, hobbies, or sports does the provider offer?

5. Consider Health And Safety

Another essential factor in choosing the perfect OSHC service for your kid is health and safety. Even if the programs and environment of a service provider are top-notch, it’ll count for nothing if they ignore the health and safety of your kids. COVID-19 isn’t the only contagious illness your kid could pick up from any OSHC. There are many other diseases like influenza, colds, and stomach flu.

Thus, you need to check the cleanliness of the premises and the hygiene protocols followed. Other things to consider may include sun safety measures, good maintenance of play materials and equipment, and adequate supervision of kids. To know the institution’s safety and health policies, parents should visit the premises, attend the school orientation, and schedule a meeting with the supervisor to ask about protocols, routines, and procedures concerning health and safety.

6. Ask About Flexibility

Full-time working parents don’t necessarily have nine to five jobs. So, a good OSHC service provider should also offer sessions to cater to people who work in shifts or different hours. A care provider offering services before and after regular school hours and during holidays could be an excellent option for busy parents with unconventional work schedules.

Bottom Line

Raising kids can be a financially draining endeavor, so parents usually take full-time work or more than one job to provide the best for their kids. Thankfully, the number of after-school care providers for kids is growing. But as parents, it’s your responsibility to choose the right OSHC provider for your kids carefully.