People, and the checks behind them
Afterschool quality is mostly staff quality. Two things govern it: the staff-to-child ratio, which varies enormously by state, and the comprehensive background check, which is largely federal and uniform. Follow whichever ratio is stricter, your state's or your own quality target, and never cut corners on screening.
Ratios vary more than you'd expect
School-age ratios are far looser than the ratios for younger children, and they differ sharply by state:
That 1:10-to-1:25 spread is wider than the commonly cited 1:10–1:15, and it changes your staffing cost dramatically. Even where a state allows 1:25, about 1:10 to 1:15 is a defensible quality target. Confirm the current number on your state agency's site.
Qualifications
States set director and staff qualifications. Florida requires an adult at least 21 on the premises in charge of a school-age program. North Carolina allows staff counted in ratio to be 16 or older, but those under 18 must work under the direct supervision of a credentialed staff member at least 21. Illinois ties school-age director and worker qualifications to college coursework plus experience in a recreation program or school-age care. Identify and credential your lead staff early, see Careers & Workforce for hiring.
Comprehensive background checks
For licensed programs, and for any program receiving child-care subsidy, every staff member needs the full CCDF background-check set:
- An FBI fingerprint check.
- A separate NCIC National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) check — the federal guidance is explicit that this is not satisfied by the FBI fingerprint check.
- An in-state fingerprint criminal-history check.
- An in-state sex-offender registry check.
- An in-state child-abuse-and-neglect registry check.
- The same checks in any state lived in during the past five years.
All components must be completed within 45 days of hire, and repeated at least every five years. New staff may begin only after one qualifying fingerprint result, under supervision, until the rest clear. Many states add their own layers (Florida Level 2 screening, Texas Central Registry).
Training and the NAA competencies
CCDF requires pre-service health-and-safety training plus ongoing professional development. For a growth framework, use the National AfterSchool Association's Core Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies, ten content areas spanning child development, learning environment, youth engagement, cultural responsiveness, family and community relationships, safety and wellness, and leadership. Several states have adopted the framework outright. Pair it with first aid/CPR and your state's required orientation.
Related resources
Next: Health, safety & facilities. See also Licensed or exempt?.
Frequently asked questions
- What are afterschool staff-to-child ratios? School-age ratios vary widely, from about 1:10 (New York, youngest) to 1:25 (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina), with 1:13 in Massachusetts and 1:20 in Illinois. Follow the stricter of your state rule or a quality target of roughly 1:10–1:15.
- What background checks do afterschool staff need? For licensed or subsidy-receiving programs: an FBI fingerprint check, a separate national sex-offender registry check, and in-state criminal, sex-offender and child-abuse registry checks, plus the same in any state lived in over the past five years.
- How fast must background checks be done? All CCDF components must be completed within 45 days of hire and repeated at least every five years. A new hire may start, under supervision, once one qualifying fingerprint result comes back.
- Do background-check rules apply to exempt programs? Yes, if the program receives child-care subsidy. The CCDF comprehensive background-check requirements apply to licensed and subsidy-receiving license-exempt providers alike.
- What qualifications do afterschool staff need? It varies by state. Florida requires an adult 21+ in charge; North Carolina allows 16+ staff in ratio but under-18s must be supervised by a credentialed 21+ staffer; Illinois ties qualifications to coursework and experience.