Do you run an out-of-school time program? In a recent AfterSchool HQ webinar, education gurus Hilary Jones and Yana List from Foundations Inc. dished out game-changing strategies for overcoming your biggest challenges. From staff recruitment to activity planning, partnerships, safety, and quality improvement, they’ve got you covered. Whether you’re struggling with staffing or looking to enhance your activities, Hilary and Yana’s insider tips and practical advice will help you create an OST program that kids, families, and staff will love.
1. Recruiting and Retaining Staff
Finding and keeping great staff is a headache for many OST programs. Hilary Jones hit the nail on the head, saying, “We need to target our promotions to meet the workforce demands and desires.” So, what makes people tick when job hunting? Think work-life balance, chances to learn and grow, feeling like their work matters, and a workplace that drains their energy.
Key Strategies:
- Work-Life Balance: Set clear boundaries between work and personal time.
- Professional Development: Offer training and mentoring to help staff grow.
- Meaningful Work: Highlight the impact of their roles on children’s lives.
- Positive Culture: Create a workplace where people actually want to be.
2. Planning Activities That Kids Love
If you want kids to learn, you’ve got to make it fun. As Yana List pointed out, “Learning should be fun, especially in the out-of-school time space.” Mix things up with hands-on activities, let kids take the lead, and break away from the same-old classroom routine.
Key Strategies:
- Multimodal Learning: Use tactile, auditory, and visual methods to cater to different learning styles.
- Engaging Activities: Plan hands-on, student-led activities or projects that differ from traditional classroom tasks.
- Resource Utilization: Explore cool resources like Foundations Inc.’s Graffiti Wall series for fresh ideas.
3. Partnerships
Building strong partnerships with families, volunteers, and community organizations can greatly benefit OST programs. Hilary emphasized the importance of shifting from involvement to engagement, stating, “We want families to engage as equal and equitable partners.”
Key Strategies:
- Family Engagement: Involve families in program planning and activities.
- Community Collaboration: Team up with local businesses and organizations for extra support.
- Volunteer Involvement: Get creative with how you use volunteers in your program.
4. Safety and Well-Being
With all the curveballs the pandemic has thrown, it’s more important than ever to create a space where kids feel safe and supported. List nailed it when she said, “We want to create environments where students feel supported and cared about.”
Key Strategies:
- Restorative Practices: Implement practices that promote healing and understanding.
- Meaningful Relationships: Foster strong bonds between students and staff.
- Supportive Environment: Prioritize emotional and mental well-being alongside academic achievements.
5. Quality Improvement
Success in OST programs comes from continuous improvement. Investing in staff development and utilizing available resources can lead to better program outcomes. Hilary noted, “Invest in yourself and your team through training and technical assistance.”
Key Strategies:
- Professional Development: Regularly participate in training sessions and workshops.
- Resource Utilization: Leverage free and low-cost resources for program enhancement.
- Feedback and Evaluation: Continuously assess and refine program activities based on feedback.
By focusing on these five areas—staffing, activities, partnerships, safety, and continuous improvement—you can create an OST program that truly makes a difference in kids’ lives. As Hillary Jones wisely put it, “When you ask high-quality questions, you create space for creative thinking and organizational growth.” Want to learn more? Check out Hillary and Yana’s webinar or explore what After School HQ has to offer, including their monthly webinars and tools to help with the admin side of things.