Nationwide, there is a high demand for out-of-school time (OST) programs, and this demand has not been fully met—particularly in high-poverty areas. Information about caretakers’ and children’s OST needs can help citywide systems better target the limited resources available for programming.
In 2017, the City of Philadelphia launched its OST strategic initiative in an effort to increase access to, participation in, and quality of OST programs. As part of the strategic initiative, the City hopes to engage caretakers in a conversation to learn more about their needs and perceptions of the OST programs available for their children. This report begins that conversation by reporting findings from research about Philadelphia caretakers’ experiences utilizing OST programs in Philadelphia.
