TIPS - Table of Contents

Children learn by doing. They naturally engage themselves in play to further their own growth. There are many things to consider when planning the daily schedule for school-age children. The school-age program should be a place for children to play, socialize, and relax. The daily schedule should be child-directed, since most of the school-age childüs day has been adult-directed in school. In quality school-age programs the daily schedule is flexible, and it offers enough security, independence, and stimulation to meet the needs of all children and youth. Children should be involved when planning the schedule. Below is a list to consider when planning the daily schedule

Daily Schedule

• Post for children and parents
• Children can choose what they want to do
• Children can choose between active and quiet activities
• The schedule is flexible to adapt for unusual events or special needs of children
• Children can move from one activity to another at their own pace
• There is sufficient time for routine and transitions
• There are times for outdoor and indoor play
• There is ample time for projects and activities
• Children can be in small groups doing independent activities
• There are opportunities for children to be a part of a whole group
• There are opportunities for children to be alone
• Sufficient time is allowed for cleanup and other chores
• Be consistent from day to day and week to week 

Rules

Children can not be expected to know how to behave unless expectations are made clear to them. Rules provide limits and guidelines school-age children need. Rules are successful when children have input. Children feel the rules are "fair" if they have a say in creating the rules. Rules need to be:

• observable
• stated in a positive way
• few in number
• applicable throughout the day

  
  Some rules that are observable, positive and applicable throughout the day are:

  • follow directions
  • keep hands, feet and objects to ourselves
  • use appropriate language
  • use inside voices
  • ask permission when leaving the room

  Choose positive recognition to motivate children to follow the rules.

  • Positive reinforcement
  • Praise
  • Circulating among the group
    

  Use consequences when children do not follow rules. Consequences are:

  • a choice (when children are given choices, the responsibility is theirs).
  • actions that occur when children choose to break the rules
  • natural outcomes of inappropriate behavior
  • effective when used consistently

Routines

Since school-age children spend a large amount of time in a structured setting, it is important to provide a flexible schedule with plenty of time for free choice. However, there still needs to be routines.

Routines create a well run program because staff, children, and parents know what is expected.

Routines need to be established for

• arriving and leaving
• snack
• activities
• using the bathroom  
• cleaning up

Sample School-Age Daily Schedule (Routine)Before School:
6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.	Children arrive and choose quiet activities
7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.	Active group game in gym or outdoors or free choice
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Clean-up and sign-out for schoolAfter School:
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.	Arrival, sign-in and announcements
3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.	Snack and Free Choice
3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.	Indoor/Outdoors Choice Time Teacher led activities are available
4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Quiet Time
5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Organized active game
5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.	5:00 Box (Special things that are only done after 5:00) and clean up
Before School:
6:30 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.	Children arrive, choose quiet activities and prepare for breakfast
7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.	Breakfast and continue quiet activities
7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.	Interest areas and staff-led activities
8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.	Clean-up and sign-out for school
After School:
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.	Arrival, sign-in, put belongings away, choice time and snack
3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.	Group meeting: discuss plan for the day, announcements, directions, share news, ask group for new ideas for projects and/or games
3:45 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.	Children select from the following:

Indoor interest areas;

Planned activities;

Club meetings;

Outdoor games and/or interest areas;

Homework;

Games and activities in gym or multipurpose room (due to poor weather or darkness)

5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Children clean up long-term and messy projects in progress in interest areas. Quiet activities (puzzles, board games, etc.)

Resources: The NSACA Standards for Quality School-Age Care, Roman, Janette. Boston, MA, The National School-Age Care Alliance, 1998. nsaca.org HALF A CHILDHOOD: TIME FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE, Bender, Judith et al. Nashville, TN. School-Age NOTES, 1984. Caring For Children in School-Age Programs: A Competency-Based Program Volume 1, Koralek, Derry, Newman, Roberta, Colker, Laura. Washington, D.C. Teaching Strategies, 1995.   WCCIP • 2109 S. Stoughton Road, Madison WI 53716 • Ph 800.366.3556 •  Fx 608.224.6178 These tip sheets developed by WCCIP, March 1998 with funding from the WI Dept. of WFD, Office of Child Care, and DHFS   TOP WHAT'S NEW | CONTACT US | TRAINING & CONSULTING | BEST PRACTICES & ACCREDITATION THE BUSINESS OF CHILD CARE | HEALTH AND SAFETY | LICENSING STARTUP | RESOURCES | OUR STORE | SITE MAP