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Why Does My Child Need a Quality Afterschool Program?

Quality afterschool programs help working families, keep children safe and inspire learning. By participating in a variety of fun, engaging activities – from the arts to sports to technology – children improve their personal, social and academic skills.

And, studies show, they’re less likely than peers to skip school, try drugs or alcohol, and engage in sexual activity or other risky, unhealthy behavior.

If your children are in a quality afterschool program, you wouldn’t have to worry because you’d know they were getting homework help, eating a healthy snack, learning new skills, making new friends.

You’d know they were cared for by well-trained staff that encourages them to try new things while helping to keep them on a successful path toward adulthood.
 

What Does Quality Look Like?

High standards for Palm Beach County afterschool providers ensure exceptional afterschool and summer programs are available to our children. Those standards make quality easy to identify.

So when looking for a program for your child, ask yourself the following:

Is it Safe? Does the program have established policies for management, staff and the program as a whole?

Are the People Caring? Are there strong, ongoing relationships between and among children and staff?

Is it Welcoming? Do all children feel included and encouraged?

Is it Supportive? Are children encouraged to build new skills and try new challenges?

Is it Engaging? If it’s not fun, children simply won’t want to go.

Are the People Approachable? Are families invited to get, and stay, involved?
 

How Do I Find a Quality Program?

Prime Time Palm Beach County and its partners, with support from the Children Services Council, launched the Afterschool Quality Improvement System to ensure Palm Beach County children had access to high-quality afterschool and summer programming.

Today, thousands of children receive this kind of care at dozens of sites across Palm Beach County. So ask your potential program whether it’s involved in Afterschool QIS.

Or contact Family Central for more information, and for inquiries about scholarship eligibility, at www.familycentral.org or call 561-514-3300.

For more information about afterschool options, visit the following sites:

www.familycentral.org

www.afterschoolalliance.org