Why Afterschool Programs Should Strongly Consider Investing in Pre-Designed Curriculum and Enrichment

Afterschool programs play a vital role in student development, but deciding whether to create a curriculum in-house or invest in a pre-designed solution can have a lasting impact on program success. While both approaches have merit, pre-designed curriculum often proves more effective for ensuring quality, consistency, and efficiency.

The Challenges of Creating Curriculum In-House

Developing a curriculum from scratch allows for customization to specific student needs and may initially appear to save costs. However, the process demands extensive staff time for research, development, and testing, often leading to inconsistent quality and limited scalability. Staff may lack the specialized expertise needed to create a fully comprehensive and balanced program, which can impact learning outcomes. Additionally, the hidden costs of staff labor, opportunity cost, and material procurement often outweigh the initial perceived savings.

The Advantages of Purchasing a Pre-Designed Curriculum

Purchasing a pre-designed curriculum offers significant advantages. These materials are developed by educational experts and align with established standards, ensuring a high-quality learning experience. Pre-designed resources often include detailed lesson plans, structured learning materials, and professional development support, reducing the strain on staff time while maintaining instructional consistency.

A prime example of the impact a well-designed curriculum can have is MindWorks' Dream Teams program. Designed for upper elementary and middle school students, Dream Teams transforms ordinary topics into dynamic, hands-on learning experiences. Activities such as Construction Crew, where students collaborate to build 3D models, and Rescue Team, where students engineer creative solutions for problem-solving, demonstrate how educational challenges can be both engaging and deeply educational.

Additionally, MindWorks provides right-sized materials, eliminating the need for staff to manage procurement or risk material waste. Items like the Brain Builders Game and Tumble Tower are used creatively to promote teamwork, communication, and critical thinking while keeping materials manageable and cost-effective through volume purchasing.

Conclusion

While both options have their place, investing in a professionally designed curriculum provides afterschool programs with a reliable, high-quality foundation that saves time, reduces labor costs, and supports better student outcomes. With expertly crafted programs like MindWorks' Dream Teams, afterschool educators can inspire collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking while focusing on what matters most—student growth and success.