What to Look for in an After-School Program
I hope you’re soaking up every moment of summer with your kids—whether it’s backyard adventures, beach days, or just enjoying the slower pace. But I also know how quickly the school year sneaks up, and many of you are already thinking ahead to fall, researching after-school programs that’ll keep your kids engaged and excited about learning.
If that’s you, you’re in the right place!
Choosing the right after-school program can make a significant difference in your child’s learning, social development, and overall well-being. But with so many options in Langley, Abbotsford, Mission, Delta, and White Rock, how do you pick the best one? At Young Innovators, we believe the ideal program should be hands-on, educational, and fun—while helping kids develop real-world skills. Here’s our advice on what to look for when researching after-school programs.
1. Look for programs that include hands-on components and do not just consist of videos or worksheets for the kids to complete.
Look for: Programs that go beyond worksheets—kids should build, experiment, and create.
Why It Matters: Active learning enhances retention and makes education more engaging and effective.
Our robotics after-school programs in Langley, Abbotsford, White Rock, Delta, and Mission, BC, focus on a blend of lessons with hands-on activities. For example, in our program, Battle Bots: Mars Rover Mission, students design and build a physical robot that is capable of conquering challenging terrain, gathering vital samples, and outsmarting their opponents in an action-packed relay. On the last day of class, students will have the opportunity to drive their robots in a thrilling head-to-head showdown. Throughout the program, the students troubleshoot and modify their robots, which helps cement engineering concepts in a way that watching a video could never do.
2. Look into who is teaching the program
Look for: Teachers who are both skilled in their field and great with kids.
Why It Matters: The right mentor can inspire a lifelong love of STEM.
All our after-school program instructors are passionate about STEM and have hands-on experience in the STEM industry. Additionally, all of them have completed criminal record checks, first aid training, and teacher training to teach STEM subjects to children effectively.
3. Look into the class sizes and student-to-instructor ratio
Look for: A low student-to-teacher ratio so your child receives individualized support.
Why It Matters: Numerous studies have demonstrated that class sizes have a significant impact on student achievement. Kids thrive when they’re guided at their own pace.
In our after-school programs in White Rock, Delta, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission BC, we keep class sizes small (with a maximum of 10 students per instructor) so that every Young Innovator receives the attention they deserve.
4. Look at programs that teach future-ready skills
Look for: Programs that teach coding, problem-solving, and creativity—not just memorization.
Why It Matters: These skills help give your kid an advantage for tomorrow’s careers.
During our after-school programs, students not only learn how to use software like Scratch Jr., a coding platform, but also develop problem-solving skills. For example, when a kid’s 3D print doesn’t come out the way they expected, they learn to tweak their design and try again.
5. Look at Reviews from Parents & Kids
Look for: Happy testimonials and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Why It Matters: Great experiences speak for themselves.
We have received numerous 5-star reviews from parents. Check out some of them below.
“My kids had a blast building their own robot cars! The best part was the final challenge, where they raced to collect the most blocks. It was fun, hands-on, and a great way to learn problem-solving and teamwork!”
– Maria Roe
“We consider ourselves lucky to have discovered the team for our daughter’s STEM education. Her interest in engineering has been ignited by their personalized approach and engineering expertise. She is doing well in school, and we are happy to see that she wants to work in the STEM fields in the future.”
-Rohan Denis
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the best after-school programs inspire, challenge, and nurture young minds. In addition to the tips we listed above, we also recommend checking out this article, which covers some other key considerations. Whether you’re searching for a Langley after-school program, Abbotsford after-school program, Delta after-school program, Tsawwassen after-school program, Mission after-school program, or White Rock after-school program, we offer a ton of fun and STEM-focused programs. Check all of them out below!