How to Start a License-Exempt After School Program in Illinois

According to the US Department of Education, the parents of more than 28 million school-aged children work outside the home, creating a huge number of latchkey kids, children who return to an empty house after school. Many communities have therefore started after school programs to give children a place to go and things to do under adult supervision during the late afternoon hours. In Illinois, these programs don't have to apply for a license if they meet certain requirements.

Find a facility

A program is exempt from licensing in Illinois if it is located on federal government property. If you have national park land in the area, contact your local forestry office or the Division of Wildlife to see if there is a facility you might use. Other federal buildings may also have space available.

Programs are also exempt from licensing in Illinois if they are run by schools, whether public or private; or churches or charitable organizations (children in these programs must not attend more than ten hours per week). Check with the schools and agencies about available space.

Get money

You may need money to rent the space. Even if you don't you still need funding for equipment, staffing and activities. In Illinois, the Dept. of Human Services offers several grant opportunities for after school programs including professional development funding and the Quality Counts Mini-grants program. One group called the Illinois After-school Partnership serves as a clearinghouse for various grants and other funding sources, and information can be gained from the After-school Funding Policy Task Force, as well.

Get help

You will need staff to provide supervision for the program. The best place to find such help is through the schools. Notify the school districts in the area and parents that you are looking for assistance. Some may be willing to volunteer their time.

Train your staff

The Illinois AfterSchool Network performs training in topics like behavior management and leadership for after-school professionals. Leadership courses cover topics such as community engagement, discipline strategies and communication. You can also get good information about activities and strategies through their publications, available through membership.

Advertise

Be sure communities in the area are well aware that you are starting this program and are in need of equipment and supplies, as well. This will bring you donations. Make a list of items you will need, like paper and pencils, tables and chairs, refrigerators, and sports equipment. Local radio and television stations as well as newspapers may be willing to let you advertise for free. Create a website to advertise your program and its purpose, also.

After school programs are needed in nearly all communities. Creating such a program in Illinois is a good idea particularly because of all the help the state gives.

References

Illinois Child Care Connection. Icc.edu.

"After School Programs." US Dept. of Education. www2.ed.gov.

Illinois Child Care Resource Service. Ccrs.illinois.gov.

Illinois After School Investments. Nccic.acf.hhs.gov.

Illinois After-school Partnership. Illinoisafterschool.net.

Illinois AfterSchool Network. Ianetwork.org.