After-school programs are becoming an important developmental support for low- and moderate-income children. This book describes the historical development, current status, and critical issues facing these programs. Divided into historical eras for easy reference, the text examines: The evolution of after-school programs and their role in the lives of children, providing a framework for reflecting on broader, contemporary issues such as the effects of poverty on children in the United States. The rationales for and objectives of these programs and how both were shaped by prevailing societal ideas about children. Patterns of sponsorship and staffing, describing daily routines and exploring the nature of children’s experiences in different kinds of programs. The relationship between after-school programs and schools, analyzing how these programs have responded to the dilemma of balancing children’s needs for guidance and supervision with their equally important need for spontaneity and self-expression. Current directions and expectations for the future of after-school programs.