To ask honestly, how many children are in wraparound every day? Especially reception

Most of the kids I know are in full time nursery and then in wraparound care of some sort 4 or 5 days a week.

The routine is very much impacted by WFH however.

Every couple I know has two parents in work though, I don’t know any stay at home parents at all.

That's an awful thing to say.

We use after school club every day but we pick up between 4.30 - 5pm. His closest friends are all there too and they all see it as getting a play date every day after school, which we are very grateful for.

Maybe you shouldn't have bothered having kids then........

As they are already knackered after school maybe? Mine is in reception which she struggled hugely just with that at the beginning. She still finds it tiring now. She does attend the afterschool disco or movie night on the odd occasion they hold them but def no breakfast or afrerschool clubs. Stay part time if you can.

I wouldn’t do it. It’s not just the wrap around. It’s all the extra curricular activities that start to rack up as they get to primary school age. So mine are offend in wrap around then straight to football or dance or whatever with only a basic tea like fishfingers managed. We can manage that a few days a week but not full time.

Play dates with snacks - what’s wrong with it?

theres always one on every thread 😳

Completely agree with this. It's better if you can avoid it.

DD1 went to after school club 5 days a week from reception to year 3. Her school used to start at 8:30 so someone could drop her off and still get to work before 9. Then I had maternity leave for a year so it wasn’t needed then Covid happened and role became wfh. She loved it, it was run by an external company who did lots of activities with them. She’s in secondary school now and had nothing bad to say about that period.

Her sibling only goes to breakfast and ASC 2 days a week now as I work hybrid with flexibility on WFH days but there’s 2 children in her class who go to wraparound care 4 days a week and they always seem happy.

If I was looking for a new job now though, I’ll make sure it’s a job that works for me and my family especially as you’re currently in employment. Don’t stay in a job you hate but don’t rush into another one that offers no flexibility, take your time with the search

My reception DS is in breakfast club 2 days a week (going up to 3 for next year), and after school club 4 days a week - 2 days are after school club till 5.15ish and 2 days are sports until 4.30.

We have done 5 days a week since reception. DC love it and often moan if we pick them up early as they are enjoying time with their friends.

Far from being to their detriment I think the amount of unstructured play time they get with peers has been great and has also helped them forge friendships across year groups.

My DCs have always been in full time nursery so did wrap around care 5 days a week. I felt really guilty but DS loves it and DD hates not going to nursery to see her friends, whenever I keep her home.

@ThejoyofNC

so what do you think OP should do? Give up her job?

Mine went to breakfast club and after-school club from Reception and loved playing with her friends.

DT’s went to breakfast and after school clubs five days a week from Reception. They loved it and hated if we collected them early - extra playtime with their friends.

One of the reasons for choosing their school was the breakfast and after school clubs.

Before my daughter started school I kept getting told how exhausted she'd be, but I never found that to be true. She was used to being at nursery 7:45-5 so the school day seemed pretty short.

I know children who go to wraparound everyday day and think nothing of it. My daughter goes 3 days a week and loves it. She'd go everyday given the choice, but I accept that all children are different (as are ASC settings - we're very lucky with ours).

Ignore it for what reason?

Mine went to breakfast and After school club 5 days a week. Didn’t have a choice unfortunately. All 3 managed - the after school club staff were fantastic and it was very much downtime - cosy corners, watching films, but outdoor play too. They were fine.

DS started reception this year and is in wrap around 4 days. Breakfast club at school and then a mix of childminder and after school club from the 2nd week of term in Sept.

It was a bit difficult at first even though he had been at nursery 4 days a week since he was 1 but I think the transition to school can be tiring (emotionally and physically!) whatever you do

I’d say almost none in my reception child’s class; have no idea how people manage it though

I think it's not ideal as at that age they will be socially exhausted etc snd just might need the downtime

But. In the end there are also benefits...playtime etc instead of tv !

From my experience by about 10 most kids hate it ...but there is a sort of golden age for it between about 6 and 7 and 10 when they enjoy it

Ignore this comment.

Two teacher parent household here so ours were - DS still is in Yr 6 - in full time wraparound since reception. They’ve never known anything different and neither DH nor I were going to give up our careers.

Mine go to a childminder 3 days a week, home 1 and after school club 1, and breakfast club every day.

Would a childminder be an option for you? That's less intense and more like how we would relax at home after school anyway.

I have 5 children in my class who go to Breakfast Club and After-School Club. None of them ever want to go.

A childminder is a better option in my opinion. Just a few children in a house like it would be if you were at home.