After School & Outdoor Play

Playing outside - including when it is colder out - has a whole host of benefits. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, some of these benefits include:

• Improved mental and physical health

• Improved motor development

• Reduced risk of obesity and myopia (nearsightedness)

• Improved learning outcomes

• Reduction in anger and aggression

• Improved impulse control

• Reduced risk of stress and depression

• Increased focus

• Reduction of ADHD symptoms

For all these reasons (and because it is just plain fun!), we will continue to prioritize getting outside as often as possible in After School. We will use the Child Care Weather Watch chart to determine if it is safe to play outside in After School.

Given the cooler temperatures upon us, the sun setting earlier, and our commitment to getting outside, it is important that students have extra layers so they can feel comfortable enjoying the outdoors. Please send your child(ren) to school with whatever warm clothing (sweatshirt, sweater, coat, hat/mittens/scarves, etc.) they need to be comfortable playing outside in the late afternoon. Given the growing Lost and Found, we also suggest writing your child’s name on the tag to help us better keep track of everyone’s extra layers!

After School Sign Out

We continue to prioritize and adapt our protocols to ensure everyone in our community is as safe as possible.

If you pick up your child outside of the official 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. pickup times, we do ask that you buzz in through the front door and sign in on the clipboard on the front table before making your way to Town Square. Should the fire alarm go off while you’re in our After School space, our Administrator in Charge and the First Responders would need to know exactly who is in the building.

If you don’t want to do this, you are welcome to wait in the lobby rather than fully entering the building, and we’d be happy to bring or send your child to meet you. Additionally, if you pick up in your car at 4:00 p.m. (under the portico or on the front courtyard) or at 5:30 p.m. (on the front courtyard), you will not need to sign in, as you won’t be entering the building.

Thank you for your understanding and adherence to this policy. Your partnership in this effort will ensure Brookwood is a safe community for all.