Seeking Opinions on Plano After-School Programs for Kindergarten

My 11 yr old boy has been in the PISD after school program for 5 years. My upcoming kindergartener will be starting the program in Aug. I have already inquired as to the separation policies to keep the bigger kids away from the littler ones.. they assure me they take care of that. So we'll see...that is my biggest concern with a 5 yr old, same age as yours. As I know how rough and mean some of the bigger kids can be.

I've had mixed experiences with pasar, but still feel I prefer the convenience of having my child dropped off at school, and I pick them up from the same location. I also like the homework time, as it lessened the burden on me to deal with it in the evenings. The downside of the homework help, sometimes, has been that the "help" caused more difficulty than helped. As either the "helper" tried to contradict what the teacher was presenting, or a helper indicated an answer was right when it was wrong. So I think a lot depends on the quality of the teacher(s) domain knowledge in helping with homework.

I do believe the ratios are a bit too low... I've seen various things occurring on the playground that no one noticed. As often the young adults would be huddled in the corner chatting vs actually watching the children. Their supposed zero tolerance for physical violence and things of the sort haven't proved out from my experience. For the most part my son liked all the young adult supervisors, some were great, but there have been a few who should not have been working with children.

So those are my observations having used the program for the last 5 years, at two different elem schools.

I substitute teach at an elementary school which has the PASAR program in place. The children seem to love it.

When school if out, they gather in the gym in organized manner. Roll call is taken, snacks are passed out. When the buses have left and all car poolers are picked up, usually around 3 or just after, the PASAR group is broken down in groups. Part of the children go outside and play and the others go to classrooms with teachers to do homework, have extra help, etc. Then they switch off so that both groups get outdoor play (unless rain or excess heat). Each group has an opportunity to work directly with teachers.

The older children pretty much go home with homework done and checked by a teacher. I think the hours are in the mornings beginning at 7 and then after school until 6.

Our school had about 15 children picked up by different day care vans last year. The largest group we have are carpoolers, then bus, PASAR , walkers and day care.

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Check out Creme de la Creme in Plano. It's a very good day care and private kindergarden. I know you said you are not comfortable with anyone picking up the kids from school; but just have a look at this school and set up.

The Plano school district offers after school program call PASAR. I have 2 boys who I put in this program. It is really wonderful. They have teachers who stay and help the children with homework and if you child needs help in any area of school they give them the extra help at that time. The staff is very well trained and also very caring. The children also receive a snack.

My nefew is in after school care at his Elementary in Plano. he loves it. In fact he gets upset if they come and get him early. I would check it out. My sister is very careful about where he goes.