Department of Youth, Sport & Recreation

Senior Supervisors

Ellan Smith

Tel: 295-3670

Margaret Giloth

Mission Statement
The Afterschool Program will provide structured programs for their clients, which include fun sport and recreational activities. Our clients will be exposed to new and innovative activities. We will encourage an appreciation for new experiences and lifetime skills in a protective, healthy and safe environment.

History
The Afterschool Program (ASP) was started by the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation in 1983 at the St. George’s Community Centre on Water Street, St. George’s. The program grew in number and popularity and was later introduced to The Dellwood Primary School in 1985 as a Government Pilot Program. The program has gradually increased to its present size, consisting now of three Community Centre programs and twelve programs in the Primary Schools throughout Bermuda.

Philosophy
The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation’s Afterschool Program exists to meet the needs of parents/guardians and children, in the community during the school year from Monday to Friday from 3:30pm to 5:45pm. Primary school-aged children are exposed to a variety of sport and recreational activities that will contribute to their physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth and development.

Goals

1. To provide child care services at an affordable price
2. To provide a safe place for children during the hours of 3:30pm and 5:45pm weekdays during the school term
3. To expose children to a wide variety of sport and recreational activities
4. To enhance and teach new sport and recreational skills to children
5. To provide a positive environment for children
6. To encourage multicultural activities
7. To offer a range of activities and experiences so as to provide children with choices
8. To utilize government school facilities during after school hours for the purpose of providing ASP services
9. To ensure a high level of competency in all staff
10. To try and maintain a small group ratio of 1:10, care provider to children
11. To decrease the number of children that are unsupervised and inactive during after school hours from 3:30pm – 5:45pm

Objectives
Each ASP Centre, that must meet the Department’s philosophy, has their own set objectives that are consistent with the goals of the Afterschool Programme, and the Department.

Schools
To view the contact numbers of the primary schools with an Afterschool Program, click here.

Communication with Parents
Staff will try to speak briefly with each parent on a daily basis, to keep them updated on their child’s performance. Information regarding other children will not be discussed with parents as it contravenes the policy on confidentiality and is unprofessional.

Registration takes place on a first come first served basis in June. In order to register, a voucher, which can be purchased from The General Post Office and sub-post offices, must be presented. To be eligible for registration parents must be up-to-date with their payments.

Payments by voucher are due the Monday of the week the child is to attend. If payment is not made at this time it is considered to be late. Arrears notices will be sent and if the account is not brought up to date, the child will be asked to leave the Program. Please note that weeks with less than five days are still valued at one voucher payment.

Time of Operation is dependent upon the need at each Program. Hours of operation are from 3:30pm until 5:45pm. Please note that there is a fifteen minute grace period. Late Fee is $1.00 per minute, payable at the time of pickup for any child left after 5:45 p.m.

Snack Time will be scheduled each day and it is asked that the parent/guardian provide a nutritious snack and water or juice for the child.

Play Clothing may be sent and time will be given for your child to change. As there will be outside activities it may be a good idea to send sneakers so that school shoes are not ruined.

Extra Funding may be required periodically to provide for such things as cooking, outings or special programs. Notification will be sent in advance.

Group Size Each child will be placed in a group of approximately ten children with one Program Worker.

Discipline

1. Children are expected to act in a respectful appropriate manner at all times.
2. Staff are expected to use positive discipline methods. No physical discipline of any kind is permitted.
3. Children will be spoken to in a respectful manner. Children may not be insulted, intimidated or called names. Staff are only permitted to raise their voices in emergencies as a means of getting the child or children’s attention.
4. Each Programme will have its own clearly defined procedure for discipline but parents will be notified of any ongoing concerns or problems.
5. Please note that each child and/or incident is handled as an individual occurrence.
6. The Department reserves the right to dismiss a child from a program.

Confidentiality It is important that you provide us with information that may affect your child/children e.g. illnesses, deaths in the family, changes in the family circumstances. All information will be kept in the strictest confidence.

Collecting Children Only previously authorized individuals are permitted to collect children. This information must be provided in writing to the Supervisor.

Sign Out All parents/guardians or persons collecting children are required to sign out and indicate time of pick up on a daily basis. This is a safety procedure set up in the best interest of the child.

Safety The ASP aims to provide the safest possible environment for your child. All Supervisors are trained in CPR and First Aid as are many of the Program Workers.

Supervision of the children is of the utmost importance. Supervisors have been fully trained and are conscientious in this area.

Suggestions and or concerns may be directed to the Supervisor of the specific Program or to the Youth Coordinator.

Complaints disagreements and conflicts with a specific Program Worker should be resolved between the parent/guardian and that specific Program Worker. If this cannot be done in a satisfactory manner, the Supervisor is to be contacted. If the parent is not satisfied with the resolution they may then contact the Youth Coordinator at 295-3670.