Parents of children aged 6 to 12 report benefits from enrolling their kids in out-of-school-time programs, a new poll by Insights West conducted in partnership with the United Way British Columbia has found. The poll was conducted through an online survey. A representative sample of parents in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley were surveyed.
93% say out-of-school programs have allowed their children to learn something they would not have learned in school, and 82% report that their kids are more sociable as a result of attending out-of-school programs.
In addition, 79% of parents say out-of-school programs have benefitted their child’s performance in school and 54% welcome their child having a chance to participate in safe and constructive activities while they are still at work.
“Here in B.C., in two-thirds of families with two parents and kids, both parents are working and it’s about the same for single-parent families,” says Kim Winchell, Director of Community Impact & Investment, United Way British Columbia. “United Way invests $5.1 million into after-school programs because they provide safe places for kids where they can develop emotionally, socially and academically.”
Coquitlam parent Tiffany Glasco has two children enrolled in out-of-school programs funded by United Way at Place Maillardville. As reported in The Vancouver Sun, Glasco says “It’s good for the kids after school, they socialize and enjoy what they’re doing.”
Across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, 88% of parents of children aged 6 to 12 currently have a child enrolled in out-of-school programs.
When it comes to deciding which programs are best suited for their kids aged 6 to 12, 57% of parents say they decide along with their spouse and the child. At this point, the most popular out-of-school programs in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are related to sports (86%), music (39%), homework and academics (21%) and art (20%).
When parents are asked about which out-of-school-time activities they and/or their child would prefer to be enrolled in, but aren’t currently, a third (32%) mention computer skills or programming.
“There is a bit of a disconnect in what kids are doing and what they and their parents would like to do,” says Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, at Insights West. “While sports activities are heavily favoured by parents and kids, a third want their children to become more computer literate.”
A sizeable majority of parents (91%) are satisfied with their child’s out-of-school programs, as well as specific aspects such as parental involvement (81%), choices in programs (80%), availability of programs (79%), schedules (78%) and communication about their child’s performance and achievements (76%).
Parents of children aged 6 to 12 who do not have kids enrolled in out-of-school programs cite cost (66%) as the main hindrance, along with facing difficulties transporting their child home from programs (42%) or to programs (35%).
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About the Survey
Results are based on an online study conducted by Insights West from September 18 to September 22, 2017, among 402 parents of children aged 6 to 12 who reside in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.8 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
Topics : Kids and Youth
