Free template · Planning and reports

After-school daily schedule

A sample after-school schedule from school dismissal to pickup, with snack, homework, outdoor play and activities, plus a weekly planning grid.

Download PDF Word version

What's in it

What the after-school schedule covers

At the top: Sample times are in [brackets]. Adjust them for your school's dismissal time and your closing time.

Sample afternoon

Families pick up between [time] and [closing time]. Plan calm activities near the end of the day so children don't miss much when they leave.

[2:45 to 3:15] Arrival from school, attendance and sign-in
[3:15 to 3:35] Snack and talk about the day
[3:35 to 4:20] Homework and reading, with help from staff
[4:20 to 5:00] Outdoor play or physical activity
[5:00 to 5:45] Activity block: [science, art, music or clubs]
[5:45 to 6:00] Clean-up, quiet games and pickup

Early release and no-school days

On [early release days and school holidays], we open at [time]. [Full-day schedule for these days.]

Weekly plan

Week of
Group and lead staff

Table: Time · Monday · Tuesday · Wednesday · Thursday · Friday

Notes for the week

Clubs, visitors or special events
Rainy day plan
Staff who walk children from school, and the route

Free to use and change, but not legal or medical advice. Check your state's licensing rules and your insurer's requirements, and have a lawyer review any consent or waiver language.

Tips

How to use it well

Start with snack. Kids arrive hungry, and homework goes better after a break.
Count children as they arrive from school. If an expected child doesn't arrive, check with the school and call the family right away. Follow your missing child steps if no one knows where the child is.
Rotate activities across the week, so children who leave early still get a turn.
Check your state's licensing rules on ratios, outdoor time and snacks for school-age programs.

Rules on ratios, medication and reporting vary by state. See your state in our state-by-state rules for youth programs.

FAQ

Questions, answered

What should an after-school schedule include?

Arrival and attendance, a healthy snack, homework or reading time, physical activity, an enrichment activity (such as art or science) and a calm end of the day for pickup. Keep the order the same each day so children know what's next.

How much homework time should an after-school program offer?

Many programs set aside 30 to 45 minutes, with staff available to help, and give children who finish early a quiet activity. Ask families and schools what they expect, and describe your approach in your parent handbook.