Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I believe the elementary schools in Nashua offer an extended day
    program until 6:00 p.m.  I also think the Nashua YMCA offers an
    extended day program.
    
    Next year Pete will be in 1st grade and I think I would prefer him to
    stay at the school to avoid any transportation issues.
    
    I think your idea is great and as a parent, I would consider this as an
    alternative for my child.  However, I would not be comfortable leaving
    him to his own devices to get anywhere but home.
    
    Transportation is an issue.  If you live near the school and could
    provide pick-up, all the better.  I just envision Pete wandering around
    Nashua.  I know I'm not giving him enough credit, but I would do
    nothing but worry until I knew he arrived to his desitination.
    
    Linda
    

    I like the idea of an afterschool program; my first-grader is in one.
    But an
    
     > After school educational enrichment program
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    I dunno.  Two reactions: first, wouldn't you need a teaching
    certificate of some kind?  And second, as a parent whose child is in a
    good school system, *I* am glad her afterschool program has the
    emphasis on FUN.  They certainly don't discourage learning  :-)  but I
    get the impression that learning is an incidental benefit during this
    winding-down, hanging-out time.  I know you were necessarily brief in
    the basenote, but there may be others who would share my knee-jerk
    initial reaction: Good grief!  S/he just got out of a full day of
    school, let him/her chill out!!
    
    But I'm not talking about a couch-potato parking lot either.  Some of
    your ideas appeal--
    
    > channel your child's energies in a positive manner
    > a lot of hands on activities and mini field trips
    > Children's Cookery
    
    But
    
    > Hands on Science Lab - ( A Mr. Wizard Type Workshop) 1 day week
    
    Sorry, I wouldn't want anybody but a high school chem teacher (with an
    audience of maybe *one* other child) playing chemistry-set with my 
    daughter.  I love Mr. Wizard and the horse he rode in on, but IMO 
    science labs do not belong in daycare settings.
    
    > Arts  & Crafts - 1 day a week
    
    Why not available all day every day?
    
    >Individualized Tutoring (A few hours a week, would work with 
    > parents to identify areas children need help in).
    > Citizen Awareness
    
    Again, leave the tutoring, history and poli sci to certified teachers.  
    Unless by "citizen awareness" you're talking about field trips to the 
    fire station.
    
    > Health & Fitness
    
    Hmm, healthy snacks, washing hands, and supervised running-around-
    in-the-backyard should take care of the DAYCARE needs for this.  Not a
    gym class, I hope. 

Leslie
    

    Re: .1
    
    The program at the Nashua schools is actually run by the Adult
    Learning Center.  The Nashua YWCA also offers an afterschool
    program, where they pick the kids up at the schools and take
    them to the Y.  They are also open on most school holidays and
    vacations.  My son is in the Y program.
    
    I would be skeptical about the viability of a program such as the
    basenoter proposes, especially in Nashua where there are already
    two established after-school programs.  How would transportation
    to the location be arranged?  What would be the staffing ratio
    and what qualifications do the staffers have?  Would the business
    be insured?
    
    As regards "educational enrichment", the director of the YWCA's
    program put it this way: "These kids have been in school all day
    studying.  They need to be able to take time to play."  (I'm
    paraphrasing.)  Both the Y and the ALC programs are structured with
    activities such as sports, cooking, arts+crafts, etc.
    
    This may seem like a good idea on a small scale.  But I think it
    is overall impractical and, as a Nashua parent of a 2nd grader,
    I would prefer the established programs.
    
    				Steve

    
    
    
    re. .0
    My town has an afterschool care program and I am very happy with it.
    The kids spend some time on home work. There's arts and crafts,
    cooking, and then about an hour of free play. I don't think I
    would put my kid in a family care environment, I'd like her to be
    with her friends. There are about 30 kids in the town program.
    I think programs that can be appealing are special arts and music
    lessons, gym instructions, etc. North Andover charges $7 a day for
    3 hours of care. I wouldn't mind paying more for special programs.
    I don't particularly care about the science part of it. I am
    an engineer with a heavy science background and I have trouble
    explaining some things to my daughter occasionally. Unless the person
    has some kind of science degree and is up with current scientific
    researches, I would not feel comfortable with it. When I went to 
    school, there were just electrons, protons and neutrons, now
    they are quarks, neutrinos, strings, etc. I am exaggerating, but
    I guess you understand what I mean.
    Actually, all I want from afterschool care is for my kid to stay
    at a safe place after class. I am not looking for someone to do
    my job as a parent.
    
    
    Eva

    There is another program in Nashua called Minds In Motion
    where my 10 year old goes.  Like previous noters, kids
    need to let off steam when them get out of school.  The
    program which is located at Off the Wall racquet club
    offers many fun/educational activities.  The best part
    of the program is that they provide transportation from
    school which is difficult to find in the Nashua area.
    
    The program becomes full-time during the summer and offers
    many of the suggestions you refer to.  You can reach them
    at 889-5520 and as for Heather or Susan.  
    
    My concerns are what to do with the kids when they reach
    the 11-14 range and you don't feel comfortable leaving them
    at home after school.  Hopefully someone will come up with
    a program...

    Yes, I would consider the base noter's business.  I don't know
    about the other Nashua programs, but the after school program at
    Charlotte Ave is full up -- we couldn't get Steven in if we wanted
    to.  Their program is also little more than mass babysitting.  The
    activities .0 listed sound much more up my son's alley than the
    basketball games and such that the presesnt after school program
    includes.  
    
    Or rather, the way the present after-school program advertised
    itself in the handouts that came home with Steven.  It was so
    unattractively presented that I didn't even want to check it out
    further. 
    
>    the 11-14 range and you don't feel comfortable leaving them
>    at home after school. 

    Well, when you consider that at 12 a kid might be babysitting
    other people's kids, and at 14 s/he is only 4 years away from
    going off to college, where s/he'll have to be totally responsible
    for everything about his or her life, it seems like by the time
    they're 11 they should be able to be trusted to watch out for
    themselves for an hour or two every day.  
    
    A lot depends on the neighborhood you live in, your individual
    child, how long it is between when school gets out and when the
    kid gets home, whether there are neighbors to call on in case of a
    problem, and all that.  
    
    --bonnie

My two boys (now almost 11 and 13) have started coming home by themselves this
year as we stopped in June with the last au paire.  I'd love an after school
program once or twice a week for the variety but not for the baby sitting
aspect.

There have been some VERY positive benefits from them being on their own now
for those few hours a day.  Their homework has become THEIR problem, I don't
have time to do much more than see that they've done it and help with the
real thorny problems.

They are learning to rely on themselves.  If I find wet towels on the floor, I
ask them if they want the slave (me) to pick them up.  They had become to used
to having someone pick up after them and the au paires were too lazy to make
them do it.  (It was always easier to do it herself but I lose out in the long
run.)  They are learning to cook.  They have to look after house keys.  etc.

The main disadvantage is that they watch more television than I'd like.

Also, in this age group, my sons and their friends seem pretty capable of
organising their own "after school activities".  They have to do homework
first in any case and if they are having trouble in a subject it is the school
who provides the extra help.  After they have finished their homework, my
older boy is usually on the telephone to his friends organising a basketball
game (he is very sporty).  My younger one has practically an entire Lego
medieval city he's been building on for months.  In his mind there is this
battle which is taking place between the warships and the city.  This has been
evolving for months.

I would have loved something like this after school activity in the 4-10 year
age range but I think by now they need to develop their capabilities for 
looking after and entertaining themselves.

ccb