As the pandemic continues to affect our lives, staffing shortages are causing after-school programs to make waitlists; This means that many parents who need after-school care for their children may have trouble enrolling their kids into the programs they desire.

While most after-school programs operate at pre-COVID capacity restrictions (59 percent), about one in four program vendors has yet to return to their regular operational capacity. The reason for this stems from issues ranging from rising costs, overworked staff, underpay staffed, and shortage of equipment.

The number of programs with waitlists has grown significantly since the start of the pandemic. According to a survey by the After-school Alliance, 40% of physically open programs had waitlists during the summer of 2020. In Durham Public Schools, 686 students are on the waitlist for traditional and year-round after-school programs, and in Palm Beach County, there were roughly 6,000 students on after-school waitlists.

Another issue with after-school programs being in high demand is that more families consider them safe spaces for their children. The longer parents work or pick up more jobs, the longer their children's hours will be without a caretaker. After-school programs are an excellent in-between for giving children entertainment while ensuring they are safe.

Schools need more full-time staff to keep up with after-school enrichment and after-school activities and watch over children who need a place to stay because they need more funds.

19% of after-school program providers (1 in 5) have received COVID-relief money, and they've used it to keep their doors open and boost access to their programs; This means most schools are having trouble with incentivizing new teachers to want to apply and help retain current teachers.

Without enough staff, many students who could be helped are being denied the education they need to secure their future. Because of this, even with the positive strides we've secured in stopping learning loss, eventually, the negatives will catch up.

"After-school programs are being asked to be shifted more toward academic programs and less recreational programs to aid in closing the learning loss caused by the COVID pandemic. We understand the need; however, expectations for my staff are significantly higher and can lead to burnout. My staff members are part-time staff and full-time college students. Adding the additional stress and pressure to resemble teachers in the after-school programs is asking a lot from them."

How Can Schools Stop Having Waitlists for After-School Programs?

As the demand for after-school programs continues to rise, many schools need help to keep up with the growing waitlists. However, with staffing shortages and rising costs, it is becoming increasingly difficult for schools to meet the needs of their students.

One way schools can address this issue is by increasing their staff; This will help reduce the number of students on waitlists and ensure that all students have access to quality after-school programs. Schools can contact local colleges to see if they can get extra staff from students in their education courses. Schools can also look into alternative funding sources, such as grants or donations from local businesses and organizations.

Another solution is for schools to partner with other organizations in the community. By collaborating with other groups, schools can share resources and create more opportunities for students. For example, a school may partner with a local library or recreation center to provide additional student activities outside school hours. Partnering with libraries will also bring extra staff, and schools can even ask for volunteers from local schools to help out.

Finally, schools should focus on providing in-depth schedules on when programs are taking place and dates for new applicants so they can sign up without too much delay.

By taking these steps, schools can help reduce waitlists and ensure all students can access quality after-school programs.

Student Hires and Managing After-School Programs

 Student Hires is a company that creates hands-on, project-based after-school programs led by college students. These programs are designed to help disadvantaged students gain the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their future careers.

The company works with local businesses and universities to provide valuable job opportunities for students. They also collaborate with K-12 schools to create educational experiences that prepare them for the workforce. In addition, student Hires provides guidance and support to ensure that each student can make the most of their experience.

The company offers a variety of activities, such as career exploration, mentorship, internships, and more. Through these activities, students can gain real-world experience while learning about different industries and professions; This helps them develop the skills necessary for success in their future careers.

Student Hires also provides resources and support for students seeking jobs or internships. They offer job search advice, resume writing tips, interview preparation assistance, and more; This helps ensure that each student is well prepared when applying for positions in their desired field.

Conclusion

After-school programs ensure students get the extra time to learn critical information for their learning development. The waitlist issue is unfortunate; the government must provide more schools with the funding they need and local governments ensure the funds aren't wasted, or it will affect our students' growth.