By Tamara Fyke
Recent research shows that six in ten parents are more concerned about their children’s emotional wellbeing now than before the pandemic. Their top worry is their children’s social connections and friendships, and many parents are actively seeking safe, affordable ways for kids to spend time with peers after the school day ends. Demand for high-quality afterschool programs far exceeds supply; for every child enrolled, multiple others are waiting for a spot. High-quality afterschool programming supports positive youth development across social, emotional, cognitive, and academic domains and helps reduce risky behaviors. This growing need creates an opportunity for schools to reimagine afterschool options for students and families. Below are practical steps to get started with an afterschool program that is sustainable, affordable, and focused on student wellbeing.
1. Determine your budget
Start by identifying available funding. Many districts have out-of-school-time funds that can be allocated for staff pay, snacks, materials, and transportation. Your budget will define how many educators you can hire, how many students you can serve, and how long the program can run—whether it’s a full school-year program, a semester pilot, or a short-term six-week session. If district funds are limited, consider local fundraising: approach neighborhood businesses for sponsorship, ask community-based organizations or faith groups to partner, or pursue small grants from education-focused foundations. Be clear and specific when you make funding requests—outline what the program will deliver and how it benefits students, families, and the wider community.
2. Designate an afterschool coordinator
Identify one person to lead coordination. This individual should be organized, enthusiastic about afterschool learning, and able to handle scheduling, staffing, and logistics. While the coordinator will manage day-to-day tasks, the effort requires commitment from school leadership to provide support, oversight, and problem-solving. The coordinator will also be the point person for family communication, safety protocols, attendance tracking, and reporting outcomes to partners or funders.
3. Survey staff and students
If the program will be staffed by school-day educators, survey teachers to identify who is willing to lead activities and what special interests they can bring—examples include gardening, cooking, creative writing, coding, music, or sports. At the same time, survey students and families to learn which activities would draw the most interest. Use a short, simple digital or paper survey to capture preferences and availability. Designing programming around the top responses helps build engagement and commitment from both staff and students.
4. Plan your schedule and space
Careful scheduling is critical. Build time for a healthy snack, academic support or tutoring sessions, and enrichment activities. Consider which rooms and outdoor spaces are available, and plan whether activities will be whole-group, small-group, or rotating stations. Small-group rotations can be organized by age, grade band, or shared interest. Think through transitions, supervision ratios, and how students move between spaces so that safety and engagement are maintained. Keep the schedule predictable but flexible enough to adapt to attendance changes and special events.
5. Integrate social-emotional learning (SEL)
One of the most meaningful benefits of afterschool programs is their capacity to strengthen social-emotional learning. Intentionally weave SEL into daily routines through brief opening rituals, explicit SEL lessons, restorative practices, cooperative games, and opportunities for reflection and play. Focus on skills such as self-regulation, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and empathy. These practices promote prosocial behavior, intrinsic motivation, better concentration, and a deeper sense of self-worth—outcomes that support students both inside and outside the classroom.
Caring is taking the time to let others know they are important and being concerned for the well-being of others. Creating environments where students feel seen, known, valued, and loved builds a community of care. That sense of belonging benefits students’ academic growth and resilience and strengthens connections with families and the broader neighborhood.
Practical tips for early success
Start small and scale up: piloting a program with a limited number of students or a short duration makes it easier to refine logistics and measure impact. Establish clear safety and attendance policies and communicate them to families. Provide simple training for staff on classroom management, SEL facilitation, and inclusive practices. Build regular channels for family feedback and invite caregivers to special events or showcases so families can see and value the program’s results. Finally, document early wins and lessons learned to share with potential funders and partners as you expand.
About the author
Tamara Fyke is an educator and social entrepreneur focused on supporting children, families, and urban communities. She created and authors Love In A Big World, which offers mental health, SEL, and wellness curriculum and content. During quarantine, she developed MusiCity Kids, an online educational show for children ages 6–12 that addresses health, movement, character development, STEAM, and more.
This article was originally published by The Learning Counsel, a research institute and news media hub focused on the shift in education toward digital curriculum.