Safety Beyond the School Day: After-School Programs, Daycare, and Athletics

School safety protocols must extend beyond traditional school hours and classroom settings. After-school programs, daycare, sporting events, and extracurricular activities present unique safety challenges that require tailored approaches. Recent research highlights significant gaps in emergency preparedness for these environments.

After-School Program Unique Challenges

After-school programs often operate with different staff, serve mixed-age groups, use varied spaces throughout buildings, and have fluid attendance. These factors complicate emergency protocols. A 2023 study published in the Journal of School Health found that only 43% of after-school programs conduct regular emergency drills, compared to 100% compliance during school hours.

Establishing After-School Safety Protocols

After-school programs need comprehensive emergency plans addressing all scenarios: lockdowns, fires, medical emergencies, severe weather, and reunification. Plans must account for different staff expertise—many after-school workers are part-time or seasonal employees who may not have received the same training as classroom teachers.

Conduct separate emergency drills for after-school programs, not just during school hours when different students and staff are present. Practice lockdowns, evacuations, and reunification specific to after-school contexts. Ensure all after-school staff know emergency procedures, communication systems, and their specific roles during emergencies.

Maintain accurate, real-time attendance records. Unlike the school day where students are in assigned classrooms, after-school participants may move between activities. Digital check-in systems and frequent headcounts ensure accountability during emergencies.

Communication Systems

After-school programs need reliable communication with emergency services, school administrators, and families. Ensure staff have working cell phones or radios, updated family contact information, and clear protocols for notifying parents during emergencies. Establish who has authority to make emergency decisions when school administrators have left for the day.

Childcare and Before-School Programs

Before-school and on-site childcare programs face similar challenges with the additional complexity of younger children who may need different supervision ratios and communication approaches. Early morning programs must have staff who can access and secure the building, operate alarm systems, and handle emergencies without immediate administrative support.

Ensure childcare providers understand developmental needs of young children during emergencies. Preschoolers and kindergarteners require more hands-on assistance, simpler instructions, and greater emotional support than older students. Maintain adequate staff ratios (often 1:10 or better for young children) even during emergencies.

Athletic and Sporting Event Safety

Athletic events present distinct safety challenges: large crowds, participants in various states of exertion or injury risk, visitors from other schools, and activities in spaces like fields or gymnasiums not designed for lockdowns.

Game Day Safety Protocols

Every athletic event should have designated safety personnel including athletic trainers when possible, clear medical emergency protocols, communication systems for staff, and established relationships with local emergency services. Coaches should carry communication devices and know how to activate emergency responses quickly.

Develop sport-specific emergency plans. Wrestling tournaments, football games, and track meets each present different safety considerations. Plans should address common athletic emergencies: cardiac events, concussions, heat illness, severe weather, and crowd control issues.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in student athletes. All schools should have accessible AEDs with staff trained in use. Place AEDs in gymnasiums, athletic facilities, and near outdoor fields. Create response plans ensuring AED access within 3-5 minutes of collapse—the critical window for survival.

Conduct annual CPR and AED training for coaches, athletic directors, and athletic trainers. Research shows that immediate bystander CPR and defibrillation dramatically increase survival rates. Consider training student athletes in basic CPR and emergency response as part of sports participation.

Severe Weather at Outdoor Events

Lightning, tornadoes, and extreme heat pose serious risks during outdoor athletics. Establish weather monitoring protocols and clear decision-making authority for suspending or canceling events. The National Athletic Trainers' Association recommends suspending outdoor activities when lightning is detected within 6 miles and waiting 30 minutes after the last lightning detection before resuming.

Identify substantial shelter locations—enclosed buildings, not dugouts or pavilions—and practice evacuation from fields and outdoor facilities. Communicate weather policies to families and visiting teams in advance. Never prioritize game completion over safety.

Visiting Team and Spectator Management

Athletic events bring visitors to campus requiring additional security considerations. Establish clear expectations for spectator behavior, alcohol prohibition, and consequences for violations. Position staff or security personnel to monitor crowds, respond to conflicts, and assist with emergencies.

Coordinate with visiting schools on emergency protocols. Visiting team coaches and staff should receive briefing on building layout, emergency exits, and rally points. In case of building lockdown during an event, plans must address both home and visiting participants and spectators.

Club Activities and Extended Programs

Drama productions, debate tournaments, robotics competitions, and band events often extend into evenings and weekends with students working in different areas, using specialized equipment, and supervised by activity sponsors who may not be regular teachers.

Ensure club sponsors receive emergency training equivalent to classroom teachers. Maintain communication systems and clear check-in/check-out procedures. When students work late or on weekends, ensure adequate adult supervision and building security. Never allow students to be in buildings without appropriate staff supervision, regardless of age or activity.

Transportation Safety

Many after-school activities involve transportation to competitions, performances, or field trips. Establish clear transportation policies including driver requirements, vehicle inspection, emergency equipment on vehicles, student behavior expectations, and communication protocols during travel.

Ensure all drivers are properly licensed, background checked, and trained in emergency procedures. Vehicles should carry first aid kits, emergency contact information, and communication devices. Create protocols for handling emergencies during transport including accidents, medical incidents, or severe weather.