Overview
Kid's Club After School is located at 65 Phillips St. The main childcare rooms are developmental in design, allowing children to make decisions within defined limits. The classrooms include the following areas: reading and group time, computer and homework, art, sensory, sand and water, science and writing, manipulative, games, blocks or construction and dramatic play. Activities outside of these areas are also offered, such as cooking, sports, music, movement, and carpentry. Programming allows for free play, homework choice, quiet time, snack and outdoor play.

The program follows the Andover Public School calendar. Kid's Club is closed during the summer (but has a summer camp program), most holidays and December vacation week. It is open during February and April school vacation weeks, based on the needs of the current user group. It will remain open on snow days (depending on the severity of the storm) and in-service days.

The Kid's Club program has 200 slots. Actual enrollment is based on the distribution of slots throughout the week. Group size varies depending on the activity; ratios are maintained at approximately 10:1. The staff reflects a diversity of training and experience in early childhood education and childcare. Staff development and training opportunities are offered throughout the year.

The teaching staff offers conference time (at parents request) for a more thorough discussion of a child's progress. Written progress reports will be maintained in each child's record and are available for parental review with a staff member. This communication between parents and teachers is essential in creating a program that not only meets parents' needs, but also provides an enriching and comfortable environment for the children.

Philosophy & Goals
Kid's Club, a sophisticated neighborhood of experienced adults, provides an environment where children can have fun. Children are encouraged to experience success, increase their self-esteem, discover imaginative structure of free time, develop tolerance and patience, widen responsibility, and enjoy social time with their peers and teachers. We provide stimulating, enrichment opportunities that spark creativity and curiosity, which is the foundation of an after school program.

The children's time is broken up into blocks of free play and small group directed activities, allowing for development of both cognitive and social skills. The teachers' role is to provide materials and structure so that while playing, children will be strengthening these skills. The staff receives on-going training and supervision to further their knowledge and better their skills at structuring play naturally.

Our goal is to help children become independent, self-reliant, resourceful, and capable of reasoning and thinking in order to problem-solve and make good choices. We facilitate them to be ready for the challenges they may face as they confront life's issues.

• A place to learn and try out social skills, conflict resolution, and problem solving
• A home away from home - the neighborhood that no longer exists - that develops spaces that are homelike, cozy, well-organized and personalized
• A place to build a sense of competency - allow time for challenges and for practice through process and choice
• Provides a sense of timelessness where activities are open-ended, children may move freely among choices, and remain involved for as long as they choose
• Provide a safe, relaxed atmosphere where children can be themselves and pursue their own interests. Each child is valued as an individual
• Provide the guidance of proficient adults who are exceptional role models - offering opportunities to pursue interests, practice structuring free time, developing a sense of responsibility and ownership toward their program and space, learning tolerance and patience with others and situations
• Help children learn to make conscious, well thought out choices: conflict resolution with peers, decisions in choosing field trip opportunities (budgeting vs. wishes), space and time management
• Accept children's input to control their program plans through active listening and council meetings
• Foster many opportunities for critical thinking and problem solving - from how much snack to serve to what the classroom rules and expectation should be, or what to do if children have a complaint or concern about something, either at Kid's Club or in some other area of their lives
• Help children boost their self-esteem and provide them with a sense of self within the larger group