Once you’ve listened to families and discovered the kinds of after school clubs they’d like to bring to campus, it’s time to launch your provider search. Here are some tips and info to get you started:
What are the different types of after school providers?
Including a mix of different types of providers enables your program to serve more students while encompassing a rich diversity of learning outcomes. These are the categories of after school providers we see most often:
Multi Location: These providers have a national or multi-local footprint and typically offer diverse curricula for a wide range of ages. Since they work with so many students across different areas, multi-location providers can bring a high level of expertise to your program. Typically these providers have a network of instructors that work with local schools. One example of a multi-location provider we’re big fans of is Play-Well TEKnologies. We like that their creative Lego programs are tied to learning outcomes, led by passionate instructors and tailored to fit your school.
Independent: From retired professional athletes to passionate artists, independent providers offer a level of expertise and knowledge that is unmatched. Independent providers may operate their own local kids activity business or exclusively offer classes at neighborhood schools. Their curricula is often unique to the community they teach in, which makes them a highly valuable component of after school clubs. We’ve met some amazing independent providers who teach everything from learning pride and empathy through calligraphy, to social-emotional learning with arts & crafts, to kitchen confidence with a renowned chef. Independent providers and their unique classes will make your program more impactful and get families excited to participate.
School Day Teachers: After school clubs are a place where kids feel welcome, valued and safe. Who is better at creating that environment than teachers?! School day teachers make amazing after school educators because they bring classroom management skills, trusted connections with students, and subject matter expertise from the school day directly to after school activities. Teachers can earn extra income through after school clubs and dive deeper into concepts across STEAM, physical education and academics than in the regular school day. We’re inspired by the collection of classes that Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Finalist, Daniel Lipton has offered after school students. His creative classes include everything from Making Roller Coasters to Improv & Acting Games.
Parents & Family: Engaging parents and family caregivers to participate in your after school program not only provides your school community with unique club offerings, but builds strong connections between families and their children's lives at school. Families are not always aware that opportunities to help with the after school program are available, so communication is key. Reach out to families to see if they have a skill to share or time to supervise less structured clubs like chalk-art, jump rope or study club. A great incentive for parent and family volunteers is the offer of a complimentary after school class for their child.
Where can I find them?
Reach out to the PTOs/ PTAs at your neighboring schools to learn which providers are part of their after school clubs. This is a great way to identify local providers and get a positive reference.
Send a survey to school day teachers at your school to learn if they are interested in hosting an after school club. You can ask what subjects they are interested in teaching, what days they are available and whether they prefer to be paid or volunteer.
Connect with parents and families to see who has interest in volunteering to lead or supervise clubs after school. Some family members may have experience teaching a skill (we loved hearing about the grandmother in NJ teaching knitting once a week) and others may want to volunteer their time to oversee a less structured activity like playground time or study club. Parent and family volunteers make great helpers for taking attendance and getting kids from school to clubs safely. Make families aware of several volunteer opportunities with various time commitments and consider incentives like a free class for their students in exchange for their time.
Your community is full of local kids activity providers that teach in places like dance studios, computer labs, martial arts dojos and ceramics studios. You can find them on social media, on Google or by asking parents and caregivers which providers their kids love. Contact these brick and mortar providers to see if they offer an on-campus version of their activities. Most kids activity providers are looking for opportunities to expand their reach to more local families, but may not be sure how to connect with schools.
At Homeroom we’ve been playing matchmaker for after school programs and providers for years and we’re taking it to the next level. We’re excited that this fall Homeroom will launch our provider marketplace! After school organizers can create an account on Homeroom to access our network of trusted, experienced providers across the US at no charge! Watch this space for updates.
What questions should I ask potential providers?
The best after school providers seem to effortlessly spark creativity and connection with students. Here are 10 questions and prompts to sprinkle throughout your interview to help you find them:
- If I were to visit your after school classroom and take a photo, what would I see in that photo?
- What’s your classroom management style?
- What are the learning outcomes that map to your (jump rope/ coding/ arts & crafts) class?
- How do you motivate students? How do you get them interested in learning?
- How do you work with disengaged students?
- How do you like to communicate with parents and families?
- What are you learning right now?
- Give an example of how your instruction is differentiated for various ages in a mixed-age after school club.
- What’s the best thing a student can say about your club when their family asks “How was after school today?”
- What inspired you to teach this after school class?
