This article investigates the Norwegian after-school program (ASP) in the period between 1993 and 2023. Based on the analyses of national government documents, focus is placed on the impetus, objectives and concepts that have constituted the programme. The initial motive for establishing ASPs in Norway was a need for supervision of the youngest children after school hours. Objectives and concepts with constituent powers were mainly developed during the first (1993–1999) and the last (2017–2023) phases of the total period investigated. In the first phase, the objectives were to provide children with care and supervision. The document analysis revealed five constituent concepts that influenced the programme during this phase, namely leisure time, need, offering, freedom and facilitation. In the last phase, the objective of contributing to the children’s development and learning was added to the previous objectives. In this phase, three new constituent concepts were found: holistic development and learning, inclusive fellowship and health promotion. The development in the last phase is considered a move towards a nationwide ASP that was supposed to facilitate extended education.