When you’re raising a child, you want to spend as much time with them as you can. Whether you’re savoring their new experiences or helping them learn about themselves, you create moments that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. So, when work or other responsibilities force you to spend time away from them, you want to know they are safe and secure.
Effective after-school programs create an ideal environment where your child can spend time with their peers and experience a more individualized learning experience, all in a fully safe environment. Southwest Academies provides Texas Rising Star-certified childcare at four locations across the DeSoto area. Our unmatched educational quality transfers to all our after-school programs, ensuring an early learning experience that parents can trust.
The Importance of After-School Programs in a Child’s Development
After-school programs are structured activities that children participate in after the regular school day has ended. These programs include various activities like thoughtful projects, experiments, sports, and other specialized learning tasks. After-school programs play an important part in a child’s development because they give space for learning and fun to coexist. These programs allow children to interact with children around their age and get the specific academic help they need from trained and considerate educators. By offering multi-layered group activities, after-school programs are important because they can help children:
- Build confidence
- Improve social skills
- Provide personalized academic support
- Make learning more fun
- Provide safety and effective supervision
Mixing academic, social, and emotional learning helps young children grow into well-rounded and independent adults.
How After-School Care Supports Academic Growth
After-school care works hand-in-hand with effective early learning programs to promote and encourage academic growth in children. According to the Administration for Children & Families, early child care and education provide a variety of benefits for children, including:
- Develop skills that will benefit them in school and in life, such as learning the foundational skills for reading, math, self-control, and positive relationships.
- Enhance children’s cognitive and social-emotional development.
- The benefits of high-quality early child care and education often last into kindergarten, and some studies show lasting effects into middle school and high school.
After-school programs take this a step further, helping children take what they learned in class and apply it again in a supportive setting. Building on what they learned previously, it helps children set healthy academic routines outside of school hours. Some of the main advantages after-school programs have on a child’s academic growth include:
- Improved focus and study habits
- Encourages curiosity for learning
- Reinforces lessons learned during school-hours
- Builds social and emotional skills
These programs give children the chance to ask questions and get the personalized assistance they need. Our after-school programs offer a variety of activities, allowing your child to learn new skills and explore what they find most interesting. By working together with their peers through various activities, they get the chance to learn how to work with others and learn more about themselves.
After-school programs in DeSoto at Southwest Academies
One of the most stressful parts of a working parent’s day is ensuring their child is well cared for after school while also balancing the demands of their job. When it comes to finding reliable before- and after-school care, you can trust the team at Southwest Academies in DeSoto and Lancaster, Texas.
Our educators deliver a comprehensive program that helps your child grow into a well-rounded individual. From providing a nutritious breakfast to the freedom to explore their passions, rest assured that your child will be engulfed in a positive community focused on helping them grow. Between our 4 locations, we guarantee your child will receive an effective after-school experience, whether they’re in DeSoto, Lancaster, or the surrounding areas. Here’s a close look at our current locations:
Park Ridge Academy: (972) 223-7913
Address: 415 E Parkerville Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115
Address: 1311 Johns Ave, Lancaster, TX 75134
Forest Park Academy: (972) 298-5467
Address: 2024 N Westmoreland Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115
First Step Learning Center: (972) 230-8100
Address: 335 S Hampton Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115
Safe, Structured, and Supportive Environments for Working Parents
Children can’t focus on developing their academic and social skills in unsanitary or unclean areas. As chronic illnesses become more common, our faculty takes the extra mile to ensure your children only learn in safe and clean environments. As a result, we strictly enforce the following measures in all classrooms:
- All children and staff who show symptoms of illness are required to stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours.
- All classrooms are regularly cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected, including frequently touched toys, surfaces, and other objects.
- Staff and children are required to wash their hands multiple times throughout the day to stop the spread of germs.
- All crib sheets, washable toys, and blankets are cleaned weekly.
With a clean and safe environment, children can push themselves academically and get a deeper understanding of what is expected of them. We provide homework assistance, ensuring students stay on track with their studies while also having the opportunity to explore new interests through a variety of extracurricular activities. From arts and crafts to sports and music, our program has something for everyone. Southwest Academies employs experienced and responsive educators, creating an educational level unmatched by typical programs.
No matter how effective the lesson may be, nobody can focus on an empty stomach. To further help construct an engaging environment for students, our after-school programs offer USDA-approved meals for breakfast, afternoon snacks, and dinner.
Why Families in DeSoto Trust Southwest Academies
Since 1991, parents across DeSoto, Lancaster, and the surrounding areas have trusted Texas Rising Star providers like Southwest Academies for high-quality early childhood learning. Our specialized educators utilize structured programs to foster learning, personal growth, and meaningful achievements within our students. We prioritize not only our students but parents as well, ensuring they maintain their part in their child’s education and development.
Our mission is to ensure your child receives a comprehensive educational experience that nurtures their mind, body, and spirit. Families continue to rely on Southwest Academies because of our commitment to helping your children find and develop their passion for learning. Through our well-rounded curriculum, students get the opportunity to develop their motor and social skills, alongside their academic abilities. For parents looking to nurture well-rounded individuals who excel in both school and society, Southwest Academies is the perfect option for you and your family.
Enroll Your Child in a Leading After-School Program Today
Enrolling your child in an after-school program is a fairly simple decision that positively impacts their future. These programs provide a solid educational foundation, enhance social and emotional skills, and set the stage for lifelong learning and success. Our team makes enrollment an easy process for parents. It begins with parents filling out a registration form for each child they are looking to enroll in our programs. We then have a meeting with the parents that goes through the following:
- An overview of the pricing
- A guided tour through our building
- Detailed information about our routines throughout the day
- Information about what their child will need to bring with them every day
- A Q/A session to ensure that all additional questions that parents have are answered
If you’re interested in the benefits Southwest Academies can bring to you and your family, don’t hesitate to contact us today!
FAQs:
Our before and after-school programs accept students aged 5 to 13.
We have a team of highly-qualified drivers who get students safely to and from school.
Our program emphasizes a holistic approach to education, blending academics with recreational activities that encourage creativity and collaboration.
Yes, all of our students will receive breakfast, afternoon snacks, and dinner (if needed).
