Every afterschool student care centre offers unique services to attract parents and children, prioritizing different aspects. Fortunately, most student care centres are strategically located within school compounds. So, parents make decisions based on the core elements of the programs offered.
There are several services offered by the best student care in Singapore:
Free Transportation
Although the afterschool care centres in Singapore are strategically located, the students may need to be transported from other schools. Instead of parents travelling long distances to bring their children from one school to the next, some centres offer free transportation within a given radius.
So, parents can relax, knowing their children are safe, moving from their regular school to the student care centre.
Extra Curricular Activities
Students usually spend several hours at the afterschool student care centre. Since children perform well in a structured environment, some centres have a range of extracurricular activities for the students to play and learn.
For example, some centres have art and music classes. Some have games that help boost critical thinking skills. These activities help increase concentration periods and limit destructive behaviours.
Homework Assistance
Most children attend afterschool care programs after school. This means they usually have homework they need to tackle. Instead of waiting until they get home to do their homework, some student care centres have teachers to assist with homework. Some even go as far as helping the students with some of the challenging topics.
Play Time
The idea behind afterschool care centres is for children to play and learn while waiting for their parents to pick them up. Since the youngest group of children are aged 7 years, the centre ensures they have structures and time set aside for playing.
Play is essential for a child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Children get extra time to explore their imagination and creativity. They also expend some of their energy so that they are ready to relax and sleep by the time they get home.
Parents-Teachers Feedback
Afterschool care programs offer holistic enrichment for children. Parents are bound to notice changes in their children, both positive and negative. Some programs will do wonders for children. Some may not be so agreeable.
Open communication between teachers and parents will help ensure that the child gets the best care possible at the centre. Children require different approaches because they perceive things differently.
If a parent notices strange behaviours, such as social withdrawal, discussing this with the teachers is important. The presence of new faces may overwhelm the child, and they need personalized attention as they slowly interact with other children.
The core elements vary from centre to centre. Some afterschool care centres offer programs to complement regular programs. However, this depends on how long a child is at the centre.
Sometimes parents request customized programs, especially for children who go to the centre over the weekend and during public holidays. These centres also offer snacks and sometimes meals for the children.
Before enrolling a child in the afterschool care centre, parents need to understand the core objectives and the extra services offered.