Resource
After-School Check-In
Choose how to arrive at the service without being required to disclose feelings. Includes a two-page A4 printable, specific educator guidance, adaptations and a cut-off quick-reference card.
Ready for a real OSHC session
Preview both printable pages
Download 2-page practical printableCheck the preview, printing notes and licence before use.
When this resource is useful
A practical check-in can make ordinary support choices visible without asking children to rate distress or explain their school day.
What children do
Point, circle, draw or skip. The page is private unless the child chooses to show it or safeguarding action is required.
Materials and preparation
Materials: Printed pages and pencils; use only the optional ordinary materials named on the page.
Allow about 2 minutes to print and place the resource. The activity itself usually takes 10 minutes and can pause when the group needs to transition.
Run the activity
Offer the page alongside normal arrival choices. Do not collect or display completed sheets.
The child-facing prompts are:
- RIGHT NOW I might want: quiet space
- RIGHT NOW I might want: movement
- RIGHT NOW I might want: food or drink routine
- RIGHT NOW I might want: a familiar activity
- RIGHT NOW I might want: company
- RIGHT NOW I might want: time before choosing
- I can choose something else.
- A trusted adult I can talk with is available.
Adapt participation
Simpler way to join: Use pointing cards or let the educator quietly read choices.
More challenge: Design an arrival choice the current room does not offer.
Children may draw, dictate, point, work beside a peer, observe or join later. Start, Explore and Extend labels describe task routes, not children.
Extend the idea
- Create a reusable service choice board.
- Review which choices need clearer spaces.
Safety and privacy
Do not promise secrecy; follow safeguarding procedures if a child raises a concern.
Learning opportunities
Look for agency, communication, environmental awareness and help-seeking choices. Record what children choose, explain, test or revise rather than treating completion as proof of learning.
Checking an open-ended response
There is no single required answer. A useful response follows the printed condition and can be explained, demonstrated or revised by the child.
Printing notes
Print at actual size on A4 paper. Page one is child-facing. Page two contains educator guidance and a dashed cut-off reference card that can be kept with the activity or laminated.
