Common Questions about Working in Afterschool Care

Q: What kinds of jobs are available in afterschool care?
Job roles in afterschool programs are varied and diverse. If you are interested in working directly with children, you might consider becoming an activity leader, recreation specialist or program aide. Your role in these positions might include leading field trips, overseeing activities or supervising play. Alternately, you might consider a career as a program director or site supervisor. These positions are generally better paid and require a higher level of training and/or education. Responsibilities in these positions include managerial functions such as supervising staff, planning program curriculums and maintaining the over administration of the program.

Q: What kind of training or education do I need to work in an afterschool program?
Successful afterschool care providers have strong communication skills, love being around children, are willing to explore and make mistakes and are, above all, committed to seeing young people succeed. Most programs require a minimum of training in first aid and CPR, but specific education and training requirements vary from program to program. Research shows that providers who have providers who have some training in early childhood education or child development provide higher quality care, so you might want to consider taking some courses or attending one of our training events before you embark on a career with children.

Q: If I take more courses and continue my education, will I make more money?
Unfortunately, there are no simple answers to this question. In the broadest sense, the more training you have, the more jobs you have available to you and the more likely you are to be offered jobs with more responsibility and better pay. However, while studies have consistently shown that training makes a big difference in the quality of care teachers provide, programs do not necessarily pay their staff more if they have more than the required amount of training. For information about low-cost CalSAC trainings in your area, see our events calendar.

Q: Can I volunteer for an afterschool program?
Most afterschool programs are very happy to have volunteers of various ages, genders and levels of experience. This can be a good way to spend some time in a program setting to see if you like it and if you should pursue it as a career. You can also gain experience that will count towards your licensing requirement if you choose to become a teacher in a center. Often programs hire people whom they have first had as volunteers.

Q: Can I be a substitute in an afterschool center?
Most centers need substitutes to fill in for staff on an intermittent basis. Much like being a volunteer, being a substitute gives you the opportunity to see if you like working with children in a group setting, what age group you like the most, and whether you like a particular center. Plus, as a substitute, you can work on days when you are available, giving you some control over your schedule, and you get paid for your time!

Q: Should men work in afterschool care?
Yes! Young people, particularly those in single-parent families, need caregivers and role models of both genders. Men, as well as women, can provide excellent support for young people. Men who choose to work in child care will be in the minority, however, and may encounter stereotypes, biases and questions.

Q: Can I take my own children to work with me?
Some afterschool programs provide a discount on care for a staff member's children. Many centers, however, will not allow the parent to work in his or her child's classroom. It is important to consider that it may be hard for the child to accept that his or her parent needs to pay and equal amount of attention to other children in the program. This can also be challenging for the parent, who is naturally drawn to his or her own child. If you decide to take this route, be sure to consider these issues closely.

Adapted from Caring for California's Children: A Career Guide for Students, Job Seekers, and their Counselors. For further information, contact the Children's Council of San Francisco at 415-243-0700.