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How To Choose An After School Program In Broward County: A Checklist For Parents

All Sports Kids • July 16, 2026 • After School Care

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Working parents in Broward County need more than just childcare. Not all children can be left at home after the school day when there are still a few hours to go for a typical workday. For families in need, after school care is a lifesaver. More than just a safe place for children to stay between school and dinner time, the right facility can help children work on social skills, homework, and even sports.

A safe, quality after school care program can be difficult to find, which is why All Sports Kids put together this handy checklist to help Broward families make the most informed choice possible.

Benefits Of The Right After School Care Program

young boy flying a paper plane while sitting at a desk with other students outdoors

A safe environment staffed with qualified, caring adults is essential for the well-being of children. The right place will promote emotional, social, as well as physical and academic growth. Many families who use after school care have seen the following benefits in their children.

Improved Grades

An environment where children can not only work on homework but also receive help with challenging subjects will naturally lead to improved classroom performance. Higher test scores and grades will help prepare kids for the next level of schooling and ultimately prepare them for college.

Newly Developed Interests

child smiling with a soccer ball in her hands

While kids learn a lot during the school day, they may not have opportunities to explore all their interests in the classroom. The right after school care program can provide a low-stress environment to try different athletic games or crafts, which also promotes social and life skills that will follow them through life.

What To Look For In After School Care Programs

Not all after school care is created equal. Different families will have their own list of nonnegotiables and preferences, but these are a few things worth asking about:

Licensing

These days, you can never be too cautious when it comes to childcare providers. Don’t be afraid to ask about references and background checks for every staff member – specifically, Level 2 checks.

A Sports Curriculum

After a day of sitting at a desk, kids may need to burn off energy between the end of the school day and dinner time. Ask about physical activities like sports or exercise for kids to stay occupied in healthy ways. Kids who are active during the day will sleep better at night, too.

Staff Certifications

Childcare providers should be certified in basic training that includes CPR as well as First Aid.

How Do Broward Families Find The Right After School Care?

parents walking with children on a side walk

There are many after school care programs in the area, but not all of them may be the best fit for your child. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the choices, and not know where to start. Here are a few suggestions to get started:

Start Your Search Early

More children attend after school care programs every year, and they tend to fill up fast. That means starting your search as soon as possible, perhaps a few months in advance, to ensure your child is put on a waitlist if needed. Starting your search early also allows parents to learn more about each center, read reviews, interview caregivers, tour the facility, and more. You wouldn’t want to make a last-minute decision or risk not getting accepted into the facility you want most.

Ask For Recommendations

The best way to narrow down your after school care options is to get personal referrals from other families. You can ask friends or relatives with children around the same ages as yours, or join parenting groups on social media to ask for recommendations. Putting names to these referrals is much more helpful than relying on blind reviews online.

Do Your Research

Finally, once you have narrowed down your search to a list of specific after school care centers, you can do more thorough research on each. This could mean studying each website, talking to staff one-on-one, or going on a tour.

Here are a few details to keep in mind as you study each facility:

  • Make sure that the facility is age-appropriate for your children. Older kids may be bored if the primary focus is on younger children.
  • Inquire the child-to-caregiver ratio. While the children will outnumber adults, there should be more than one adult per child.
  • Inquire about rates and financial assistance, if needed.
  • Look at the activity schedule. Does every day follow a similar routine, or are there different activities and/or themes for each day?
  • Ask how discipline works.
  • Ask about communication with parents: daily emailed updates, texts, logging into an online portal, etc.
  • Ask about accommodations for allergies and other health issues, if necessary.

After School Care In Broward County

Families in Broward County love All Sports Kids for our athletic arenas, but also craft room, dance and exercise space, games, and cafeteria. Your child doesn’t need to be athletic in order to have fun here (although this is a safe place to learn). With ample activities for kids to blow off steam and have fun, there’s space for reading and studying, too.

With the right balance of work and play, All Star Sports is the ideal spot for kids to spend time between school and the end of the workday. If you’re a working Broward County parent in need of after school care, call 954-746-5437 to speak with our staff today. We have other programs available for spring and winter break, as well as an event space for hosting birthday parties.