Once public schools have qualified and passionate volunteers to spearhead enrichment programs, they then must locate the right activity providers. And that’s a key step. It’s essential for public schools to contract the right enrichment providers, as the students’ safety and overall educational experience depend on it. With so much on the line, it’s a top priority for most. So, how can you find the best instructors for your afterschool clubs and classes? Let’s dive into what that looks like when it comes to finding the right instructors, whether in terms of qualification, temperament, and/or previous experience.
Find Great Qualified Activity Providers
Public schools must ensure that the contractors they bring on have the necessary qualifications and experience to effectively run afterschool programming. According to a report from EdWeek, this includes knowledge of the subject matter, as well as the ability to work with children.
But how can a volunteer find the right providers—and then, how they can differentiate the good from the great? There are a few solutions you can use to identify qualified and highly rated providers in your area, including working with specialized teams or leaning on software. In some cases, you can do both.
For example, the team at Homeroom can help simplify the process of finding individuals and businesses that specialize in enrichment classes and clubs for students of differing ages. This allows you to focus on providers that specialize in certain subjects or age groups.
Build a Diverse Set of Classes
Along with finding the right individuals and groups to build an enrichment program, PTA volunteers should also seek to offer a diverse set of classes. It’s important to focus on a broad range of activities, age groups, and ability levels.
For example, this might include kinesthetic activities like carpentry for kids, skateboarding, or capoeira. Alternatively, enrichment programs might offer a more creative approach to topics like filmmaking and mixed-media art projects. Some, like Lego classes, bridge a variety of subjects—from math to architecture.
It’s also important to consider the diversity of enrichment instructors themselves. The best instructors have experience working with different children, including those with special learning needs and/or those of a certain age range.
Track Compliance Requirements
So far, we’ve covered two ways that PTA volunteers can find the best enrichment programs and instructors. First, they can work with experienced teams to seek out top providers. Second, they can build a roster of diverse classes and clubs for students to join. One final tip for PTA volunteers is to track compliancy requirements for their school.
These requirements may vary by school district. Typically, providers should have business insurance that lists the district as an additional insurer. Similarly, all instructors of enrichment programs should undergo background checks.
However, it’s not always straightforward when seeking out a list of these requirements. PTA volunteers can use software to help them track all compliance requirements. In fact, some software, including Homeroom, lets volunteers identify what their district’s requirements are.
A New & Multi-Faceted Approach
Finding the right enrichment providers for public schools is an important task that requires careful consideration on the part of volunteers. Public schools must ensure they contract individuals and businesses that are knowledgeable, experienced, and capable of providing the best possible afterschool experience. To get started with a new, multi-faceted approach, start with the tips listed above.
