Rec Place Afterschool, Inc. is a private, non-profit afterschool program that is located in the Lower Falls Community Center. The program operates after regular school hours for children in grades K-5. We offer a safe, warm, caring environment for children through a wide range of programming. The program is financed by parent-paid tuition. Lower Falls residents are given priority for any available space after enrollment of returning students has been completed. We will do our best to find an interpreter for parents who are not able to speak English.
The center has three classrooms: an art room, a games room, and a music/drama room. There is a full gym, a kitchen, a large field, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, and an ice skating rink in the winter. Enrollment is limited in order to ensure individual attention and child-initiated programming. A variety of trips are offered, as well as on-site special programs.
The purpose of this program is to provide excellent, affordable after-school care for kindergarten through fifth graders in a “home away from home” atmosphere.
GOALS:
To provide a safe, comfortable, healthy, harmonious environment in which children feel secure, respected, and involved.
To foster a sense of responsibility, self discipline, and self-esteem in each child.
To allow and encourage the pursuit of individual interests through input from children and parents.
To support and encourage positive interactions between children and adults.
To facilitate each child’s growth and development of skills such as: thoughtful decision-making, problem solving, learning to cooperate with others, handling emotions appropriately, treating themselves, others, and their environment with respect, gaining methods of self expression through a variety of media, and learning to make and fulfill commitments.
To meet licensing requirements established by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care which requires the program to be administered without regard to race, age, religion, national origin, cultural heritage, disability, political or union affiliation, marital status, cultural heritage, disability, gender or toileting proficiency.
PHILOSOPHY: Our philosophy is to provide a needed service by creating a home-like environment that is enjoyable for both children and staff while meeting the goals listed above.
Program Components
Choice Activities
Each month has a theme with various activities each day related to the theme. Children get to choose among a variety of daily activities and long term projects and can switch to another activity at any time. Choices are made based on interest and most activities have children of all ages. Children are involved in a wide range of activities including ice skating, ceramics, gardening, science experiments, building, sewing, and baking.
Homework & Reading Options
Children always have the option to work on homework on their own or with staff, who are always available for assistance. Children may also choose to read or draw anytime. Older children are encouraged to read to younger children.
Individual Attention
Each child is given individual attention to help in the transition from school to afterschool, and to assess specific needs. Children initiate various activities, and each child may select the activity of his/her choice daily. Projects are open-ended to allow for individual expression and varying skill levels.
Leadership
Older children are encouraged to set a good example for the younger children. A volunteer “Rec Pal” program matches kindergartners and other young children entering the program for the first time, with older children who sit next to them on the bus, help them to get acclimated, and join them for various activities at Rec Place. The oldest children also lead games and set up special events for the younger children.
“Neighborhood” Type Play
Every day the children have a period of unstructured, mixed-age group time in which a large part of the emphasis is on child development games, arrangements, creations, and free play.
Skill Development
Skills in various sports and hobbies are developed through practice and instruction. Non-competitive group games, as well as team games, are included in the program. Partner games such as card games, board games, and foosball are also played. Individual development in areas such as movement, drama, music, track and field are also included.
Responsibility
Children will be encouraged to clean up after themselves at snack time, as well as at play time. Occasionally, they will be asked to volunteer to help with general clean up (such as vacuuming or sweeping).
Prime Groups
Each child is assigned a “Prime Teacher” and will eat with a group of peers and this teacher on early release days. The prime teacher will be the main contact for parents and will monitor and evaluate the progress of each child in that group. The teacher will offer one activity for that group each week to work on team building and to introduce the children to new activities and projects.
Onsite Enrichment
A variety of performers and specialists will present enrichment programs throughout the year. Programs will range from STEAM activities to magic, puppets, and live animal shows and will include hands on elements. Follow up activities, instruction and discussions will also be offered.
Field Trips
We will occasionally take the children on field trips. Children will choose whether or not to participate in the field trips offered. Permission slips to be signed by parents will be set out at the sign out table a week in advance. (Unless it is just a neighborhood walk.) . For safety, each child will wear a sticker with the cell phone number of the Group Leader who is leading the trip, as well as the Rec Place office phone number.
