MIDDLE SCHOOL-AGE CARE
Tracy Yanouzas
Program Director
Lebanon KIDS, Inc.
Copyright/Access Information
When the town of Lebanon decided to go from a two-school system
to a three-school system, many concerned parents realized that
it would mean a change in their after school arrangements for
their children. For the past eight years, Lebanon KIDS has provided
quality before- and after-school care for children between the
ages of four and 12. What would happen to the fifth and sixth
graders being housed at the newly- developed middle school during
those after school hours? With the support of the Board of Education
and the parents of the kids enrolled in the program, Lebanon KIDS
took the plunge into middle school-age care. Eight months into
the school year, it looks like the program is here to stay.
During the eight months, much has been learned. There were definitely
some revisions necessary in the program. Here are some Do's and
Don'ts that we learned along the way:
- DO choose staff carefully. We have two staff members and
have had success because one has strength in the area of art
and creativity while the other has strength in athletics and
such.
- DON'T call your program child care!! Have your kids think
of a catchy name, logo and mascot.
- DO involve your kids in planning the program. Encourage enriching,
worthy experiences. Middle school-agers are developing sophisticated
interests and are capable of handling more indepth projects.
- DON'T be afraid to lock homework time in the schedule. Once
it is part of the routine, parents and kids alike will appreciate
it.
- DO be prepared for the multitude of tastes, likes and dislikes,
moods, and raging hormones of these preteens. Flexibility is
the key! It is rare that preteens will ever agree on what to
do at the same time. Have plans ready! Even if one kid does the
project, your plan is successful.
- DON'T expect to use elementary level activities. The difference
between elementary level and middle school level is just as significant
as the difference between preschool level and elementary level.
DOCUMENT
USE/COPYRIGHT
National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Part of CYFERNET, the
National Extension Service Children Youth and Family Educational
Research Network. Permission is granted to reproduce these materials
in whole or in part for educational purposes only (not for profit
beyond the cost of reproduction) provided that the author and
Network receive acknowledgment and this notice is included:
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child
Care - NNCC. Yanouzas, T. (1993). Middle school-age care. In S.
Krampitz (Ed.) *Kids* (June, p.3). Storrs, CT: University
of Connecticut Cooperative Extension.
Any additions or changes to these materials must be preapproved
by the author .
COPYRIGHT PERMISSION ACCESS
Carole Eller
Cooperative Extension System
University of Connecticut
1376 Storrs Road
Storrs CT 06269
FORMAT AVAILABLE:: Available only on the
Internet
DOCUMENT REVIEW::
Level 2 - University of Connecticut Cooperative
Extension System
DOCUMENT SIZE:: 2 pages
ENTRY DATE:: April 1996
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