How children benefit from after-school clubs: Academic support, emotional growth and more
After-school clubs offer a safe and well-structured environment for school-age children beyond standard school hours, providing invaluable support to working families such as yourselves.
However, these kids clubs should also be seen as opportunities to enrich children’s lives, as they can stimulate academic, social and emotional growth through homework assistance, tailored mentoring, team sports and other action-packed activities.
But what are after-school clubs, exactly? Are they just an extension of the school day or do they provide valuable after school care? And can they really make children happier, healthier and smarter – as some claim?
Here at Premier Education, we are a huge believer in the power of extracurricular activities, whether that be as part of wraparound care or school clubs with more of a specific focus. In this article we’re going to look a bit deeper into what they are all about and cover a few tips to help you choose the perfect after-school provider.
What are after-school clubs?
After-school clubs can be defined as planned and supervised activities that take place on the school site after the school day ends.
Quality clubs are designed to provide each child with additional learning opportunities, enrichment activities and reliable childcare during the hours before parents or guardians come home from work.
These clubs welcome children of all ages, and can be run by your child’s school, the community or even private organisations. If a club cares for children under five years of age (reception class for example), it will need to follow the early years foundation stage framework, and need to register with Ofsted on the Early Years Register.
Here are some examples of typical activities that you can find in a school club.
Academic support and engaging learning
Doing homework is essential to reinforce learning after regular school hours. Thus, many clubs set aside dedicated time and supervision for completing homework, allowing students to go over again what they’ve learned in school, turning studying into a healthy habit.
After-school clubs can also be a place to take learning to the next level and discover new passions. For instance, taking part in exciting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) projects stimulates curiosity, critical thinking and a genuine love for science.
Sports, art and other enriching activities
A good school club should also allow children to engage in practical activities that build confidence and promote the development of new skills.
Team sports such as dodgeball, hockey, and football, for example, are great for developing social skills, reducing the stress accumulated during the school day, making new friends and promoting the benefits of an active lifestyle.
On the other hand, group activities like dancing, performing arts, chess or competing in fun board games can have similar social benefits while also strengthening the creativity and problem-solving skills of pupils.
Mentoring focused on individual challenges
After-school clubs can be a safe haven to support individual growth, and a well-organised mentoring initiative is key to realising this goal.
Peer mentoring, in particular, yields exceptional results because it allows children to connect on a deeper level. By matching children with similar experiences, you can be sure there will be transparent communication and understanding of problems.
This also helps improve their emotional intelligence as children explain their unique situation and demonstrate progress throughout the year.
The benefits of quality after-school clubs
It’s not just about convenient childcare. High quality after school care can transform the time between school and home into a special moment where fun, personal growth and learning coexist.
But how can these clubs deliver positive outcomes in the daily life of primary school kids? And how can they lead to better achievement, social growth and improved artistic skills?
Let’s explore a few advantages delivered by a well-organised after-school programme.
Purposeful use of after school hours
The most evident advantage of clubs at your child’s school is offering a clear structure for children to spend their time outside the classroom.
If left unsupervised, many kids might engage in risky behaviour, indulge in excessive screen time or simply fail to study productively. After-school clubs prevent these outcomes by guiding children through meaningful activities that foster emotional and academic growth while keeping them safe during critical hours.
Last but not least, school clubs allow children to explore new interests, become passionate about topics they might not encounter in a regular school day and reduce their stress levels as they get to enjoy activities that are both fun and fulfilling.
As mentioned before, after school care can play a significant role in boosting academic performance. By offering additional help with homework – as well as tutoring and captivating STEM activities – these opportunities provide students with time and resources to improve their understanding of key subjects.
This customisable approach can be particularly effective among pupils who may be struggling in traditional classroom settings, where extroverts tend to emerge more, or those needing a little support with new concepts.
Moreover, research shows that children taking part in quality after-school clubs obtain higher test scores, improving their general attitude towards school. The special attention dedicated to each pupil helps them learn at their own pace, enabling them to get ahead academically in subjects like maths, English and science.
Social and physical development
School attendance gives students the opportunity to socialise and make friends, but without a well-structured environment, some kids may struggle with social interactions – especially at the beginning.
By participating in team sports and fast-paced group activities, children get to practice essential social skills such as communication, cooperation and conflict resolution.
Another area that is often overlooked during normal school hours is physical activity which is so important for young people; according to the NHS, young people aged between 5 and 18 should aim for 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity throughout the week. After-school clubs can play a pivotal role in reaching this quota by offering a wide selection of sports and activities for your kids, getting them moving, their blood pumping, and tiring them out!
Preventing summer learning loss
During extended periods away from school and the intellectual stimulation it provides, some kids experience what is commonly referred to as “summer slide” – the decline of academic skills or knowledge that occurs during the summer.
Unfortunately, this phenomenon is especially common among low-income families, who may not have access to adequate resources and enrichment activities for education outside school.
As many after-school clubs now extend their services into the summer, however, this issue can be avoided with holiday play schemes, such as our holiday camps which take place during every school holiday. With a consistent routine and plenty of enrichment opportunities, children will be better prepared to return to school in September, minimising the need for additional support.
How does before and after school childcare differ?
We’ve talked a lot about the role of school clubs specifically; activity or sport-based clubs that allow children to pursue a particular interest, develop skills and have fun. But another key part of school care is ensuring working families have access to childcare during the before and after school periods to align the school day with a typical working day.
As soon as your child starts reception class, a key consideration is how you’ll cover childcare before and after school. Childminders are an option that some families choose but you may be stuck if they are ill or on holiday.
Wraparound care, which is usually the term used for breakfast clubs and after school care, is a secure and reliable provision which typically is based at your child’s school and provides games, activities, sports and fun for all children who attend.
This service can be run by the school staff or by external providers, such as ourselves, who use the school premises to provide a caring, nurturing and supportive setting.
Younger children are mixed with the older children but are provided with age appropriate activities. Of course, there’s always the option to sit quietly and read or complete homework tasks, but we find that building in some physical activity is so important!
Similar to schools, these services should be Ofsted registered and have a suitable ratio of staff to ensure the provision is safe.
Unlike the school clubs we’ve addressed above, this type of school care isn’t focused on one particular activity, but it’s still true that children benefit hugely from breakfast and end of day clubs. As we mentioned earlier, getting physical during these times is hugely beneficial and can even improve classroom concentration and behaviour.
The role and value of Premier Education
In this article, we explored the importance of well-rounded before and after school care (wraparound care) and after school clubs for school age children, led by trained professionals.
Our after school clubs allow children to experience activities not usually covered during the school day, and our wraparound care provision activates children before and after school, getting them ready to learn and helping them wind down.
