If you are an 80’s baby, you probably played with a toy kitchen set. I did. When I was four years old, Santa brought me a kitchen set for Christmas. With a big grin on my face, I served my family plastic chicken drumsticks and fake pieces of yellow corn...

The Office for Early Childhood which oversees child care centers including after school programs has two different, but both vitally important, opportunities for you to provide feedback: Draft Licensing Regulations: Some big changes on these including to head teacher certification https://surveyentrance.com/run/oc/p2203g/start Child Care Development Fund Plan 2019-2021: Concerns Care4Kids and...

In honor of Science Friday I thought I would share with you some pictures that I received through email.  The pictures honor the diversity of nature and man.  Some things that we will never see or even never thought about.  Check out the blowhole of the Blue whale picture and...

The first ever mural contest for after school programs was held earlier this year and we are pleased to announce the following winners: K - 2nd:  Tender Care Learning Center, Avon "Reach for the Stars" 3rd - 5th:  Co-Winners Every Kid Counts After School Program, New Britain "After School Makes...

With spring just around the corner, I cannot help but think forward to the summer. The summer often gets glorified for students as a time full of fun in the sun. However, the summer is not a fun vacation for everyone. A lot of students are left at home to...

The Connecticut After School Network released it's new report "Why Summer Matters: Summer Programs in Connecticut" today. The full report can be found here.

I just read an article posted by Ken Anthony on Facebook, called "When Students are Traumatized, Teachers are too".  It's something we don't think about much, even with my family of teachers.  We talk about burnout but never about the teacher's physical and mental response to the trauma inflicted by...

UPDATE 2/22/18.  The Education Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. in Room 1E of the LOB.  For more detailed information click here. UPDATE 2/21/18. The Education Committee has raised the summer learning grant bill that we support. Raised House Bill 5168. A public hearing will be...

Summer Stats Survey! Some of you know that we are trying to gather data to find out the "state" of summer access in Connecticut, but we are having a hard time getting the info.   (more…)

The Connecticut After School Network's Annual Art Contest "After School Builds Bright Tomorrows...." This year we are doing a MURAL!  Get your after school kids together and create a program mural; it can be by age group or whole program group. (more…)