Out-of-School Time (OST)

In today's society, the hours parents work and the hours their children attend school often do not coordinate.  Children are often left alone after school because their working parents have no other options.

Experts agree that school-age children who are unsupervised during the hours after school are more likely to receive poor grades and drop out of school than those who are involved in supervised, constructive activities.

Children require and deserve quality activities and supervision when working parents cannot be with them.  Out-of-school time programs can provide the positive environment that children need.

Did you know?

 The average US student spends 1000 hours in the classroom each year, but has 4200 hours of leisure time?

 69% of all students are not involved in any organized activity?

 1/2 of all juvenile crimes are committed between the hours of 2 and 8 p.m.?

The South Dakota Department of Social Services Office of Child Care Services (CCS) encourages school officials to work with their communities to build programs that positively impact K-8 children during their out-of-school time.  The SD Out-of-School Time (OST) Program provides resources for schools and communities that want to offer structured and safe environments for children when they are not in school.

• On-site technical assistance
• Monthly Newsletter sharing current topics and activities
• Site Observations
• Accreditation Assistance
• Telephone consultations for OST professionals, school officials and parents
• A resource lending library with professional resources, information, publications, and theme units/equipment for OST programming
• OST classes or workshops on issues such as discipline, program activities, child temperament, safety, space limitations, communication and team building
• OST Credential Training

OST Credential Training Information:

The regional Early Childhood & School-Age Enrichment (ECSE) offices provide OST Core Module training, OST Certificate Series training and OST Credential training for providers who serve school-age children. 

• The OST Core Module training consists of 10 modules (each module is 1½  hours), totaling 15 hours.  These classes meet most of the licensing requirements for OST staff. 

• The OST Certificate Series training consists of 4 series, with 6 modules in each series (each module is 2.5 hours), totaling 60 hours. The South Dakota Department of Education has approved the Certificate Series training for Teacher Renewal CEUs. 

Participants that complete the 15 hours of OST Core Module training plus the 60 hours of OST Certificate Series training may earn the South Dakota OST Certificate.

• The OST Credential  training consists of 3 series totaling 45 hours.  This training, combined with the Core and Certificate training will provide OST program staff the opportunity to earn a South Dakota OST Credential.

Staff earning the South Dakota OST Credential will be on Level III of the SD Pathways to Professional Development System

For more information regarding Out of School Time Programs please contact:

Bonnie Tonsager

605-688-5730 or 1-800-354-8238