Directing an afterschool program is an arduous task that can bring new challenges every day. Suppose one of those challenges is completing documentation and reporting to comply with grant requirements. In that case, web-based software can simplify and streamline fulfilling those responsibilities.
Study after study has shown the positive contributions made to the community by high-quality afterschool programming for every age. In particular, afterschool enrichment and academic assistance has proven a great boon to adolescents, who frequently age out of other childcare situations.
The demand for afterschool programs continues to grow. Yet, there seem to be more obstacles than ever to offering it consistently.
Keeping the lights on and providing continuous engagement and activity that meets the requirements of both the students and the state and federal grant-funding agencies is imperative. Cloud-based solutions for afterschool management helps you meet the need without spending all your waking hours in documentation and reporting.
The Benefits of Technology for Afterschool Programs
What is the most precious thing you have? Time. Time to provide for those children who depend on your program to keep their grades up, expose them to new experiences, and keep them safe until their parents and caregivers are home.
Technology doesn’t create time, but it frees it from administrative task-work that can eat up your day and take away from your efforts for students. It automates tasks, expands communication, reduces administration, improves education, and supports the new requirement of contactless care.
Afterschool management software provides a wealth of features and benefits for any program, including simplified record-keeping and reporting. Using a centralized database, the software seamlessly monitors financial, student, and family data; generates reports required by state licensing and grant agencies; and keeps things from falling through the cracks.
The Benefits of Web-Based Software
Cloud computing has moved into every aspect of business and education. Without it, the current need for virtual classes would not have been possible.
A web-based software solution resides on servers owned and operated by the software vendor. The vendor is responsible for security, updates, and support. There is no need for your facility to engage an IT team, purchase additional hardware, or invest in an on-premises software solution that would chain you to your desk when you want to use it.
You can access a cloud-based solution using any device with a web browser. You can use your home desktop or laptop, tablet, or smartphone to make updates, check information, and send communications to some or all of a group. You can do this whenever you need from wherever you happen to be.
Automation allows the system to backup data and apply updates regularly at no extra cost to your program. When it’s time to send reports to the state and federal funding agencies, your web-based afterschool program management software does it as scheduled or ad hoc when you need it.
Cloud vendors know their reputations rest on a foundation of tight security, and they provide cutting-edge cyberdefenses to keep your data safe.
EZReports Features and Benefits
EZReports is a web-based afterschool and summer learning program management solution. It streamlines program reporting and provides automation to reduce administrative work necessary to keep the program in compliance with grant means.
Federal, state, and local funding agencies and grant programs have strict reporting requirements to ensure there is no fraud and see whether the money is being used as needed. Many grant programs are highly competitive or, at the least, are limited in how much they can provide. The agencies need to know each recipient is handling the money responsibly.
Here are ways EZReports helps you maintain funding for your program along with other elements of administration.
Activity Management
You can record detailed sessions and activities for students.
EZReports captures granular activity metrics. You can track the time and type of activity a student participates in. For example, if a student arrives at the program and reports to tutoring, you can capture that specific activity and the time the student reported to it.
You can track the time for other activities as well, such as homework help, parent involvement, or a physical education activity.
Grades and Assessments
EZReports allows you to capture each students’ day school grades, local or state level assessment performance. You can report assessment data by defined periods or labels such as pre-test, mid-test, and post-test. Also, you can do aggregate and comparison reports.
Automatically upload files and data from the school district computer system as an Excel file via ftp. That way, all demographics are up-to-date every time.
Attendance
Consistent attendance is vital for students to get the full benefit of your program. Also, you need to show funding agencies that your program is well-attended. Use a tablet or other device to check students in and out, maintaining an accurate attendance count daily.
Use the attendance application for your staff, too. Track hours worked, absences, and other data to help you stay on budget and create schedules.
Built-In Reports
EZReports has pre-formatted report templates, including those for 21st Century APR, California’s ASES, and other state level reports. You can easily add or integrate data into these reports to maintain compliance. You don’t need to manually search for data or create an entire report.
Surveys
Create custom searchable surveys and email them to specific groups. You can define surveys for staff, students, day school teachers, or partners and providers.
Define your own questions and answers and compile the data from the returned surveys. EZReports automatically captures all data.
Staff Development
EZReports has a new feature for tracking professional development for staff. The application tallies educational hours and maintains the data for reporting purposes.
If you have EZChildTrack, you can easily integrate EZReports into the system for even more functionality. EZChildTrack’s online registration bridges directly over to EZReports.
Web-based reporting software for grant-funded afterschool programs provides all the documentation you need to comply with grant requirements and maintain compliance with each agency you work with.
The success of your afterschool program depends on these sources of funding, especially in low-income communities. Achieve that success using web-based childcare management software to save money, time, and effort.