To get ds to do after school clubs when I’m at home?

Honestly, I don't know many kids who go home and stay home after school?

They have swimming (they ALL seem to have swimming 😂), various sports, Beavers, and all the school clubs - lego being one.

Add playdates and meet-ups in soft plays with other mums, I don't think my kids ever spent 1 afternoon at home alone. As soon as the weather is better, at worst it's meet-ups in parks straight after school so you don't have to come home until 5 or 5:30 so theres' time for "homework" (which wasn't much in reception)

That’s kind of what our after school provision is like but it’s not like I I’d be reading Shakespeare to them at home or something - they’d just be playing with toys at home (or whinging for TV!) and they get the benefit of lots of social interaction with friends and running round the playground.

I think the half term before Christmas is the hardest for them - so much going on and so overstimulating that it is a hard one in terms of after school entertainment and meltdowns/tiredness. My LO has done one day a week since starting school because we have to and he does love it but I’m not sure I would if we didn’t have to. Especially as homework etc starts to increase and there’s less time for play.

can you set up a game for him during the day that’s ready fur when he gets home to play independently?

My eldest has done enrichment clubs after school since reception and I don't need it for childcare - it's a way for her to do activities like dance, martial arts etc that we might have considered anyway (but it's all the more convenient for being on site at school). The activity finishes at 4.25pm and then she's home by 4.35pm, so it's not a long addition to the day. It was definitely handy when my youngest was a baby & toddler as it meant I only had to deal with 2 dcs at once for a shorter period (DH gets home at 5.30pm).

Wraparound care is different, it runs until 6pm and they don't pick up new skills or have any adult input. I wouldn't send her there except for childcare if we needed it, or perhaps if a friend was going and they wanted to play together.

I’d absolutely take advantage of the school doing activity clubs based on his interests so 100% I’d sign him up for lego and the sports one. I wouldn’t use the generic wrap around club if I didn’t actually need the childcare as it’s a bit rubbish and in our case seems to generic playing with toys whilst being supervised by bored looking teens and getting fed a jam sandwich!

My son used to get cheesed off if I turned up early from work to pick him up when he was in wrap around clubs

I’m currently not working and I’m keeping my DS in his after school activity clubs (Lego, Crafts and Drama) which run to 4.30 but not using the wrap around care which runs until 6. He loves the clubs and gets to do so many fun things with his friends - it’s like an extra play date for them.

After-school clubs, activity based things he'd enjoy, go for it.

Absolutely fine as long as it is something he would enjoy.

I put middle in after school clubs that I know he’ll like or find interesting and think will help him with his ADHD. I do talk to him about it and he’s happy about them.

It’s usually 3:15 - 4:15 pm. He gets to explore something new once a week that he can’t at home or something he likes with his schoolmates and the clubs are free.

I’m going to go again the grain here and say I’m a big fan or after school activities/ wrap around.

DD is calmer and in better spirits if she doesn’t come home at 3.15. I think it’s because school is so cerebral and actually running around like mad in the playground for a couple of hours blows off steam at the end of the day whereas if she comes home straight away she’s kind of still bamboozeled by all the learning and just wants to stare at the tv!

Our school does both after school activity clubs like sport, choir, Lego etc for 1 hour and a wraparound club until 6pm. Everyone is encouraged to sign up for the activity clubs (they are free for children on FSM), they are seen as positive enrichment beyond the curriculum. So yes I would have no hesitation, providing your child isn’t the kind who is shattered at 3:30 (some are, esp in reception).

My children have been in wraparound until 6pm 5 days since reception but that’s necessity due to work, but they have always enjoyed the time with friends.

If it's just an after-school activity that he would enjoy, I can't see how this is a problem unless he actively doesn't want to do it.

I think your post is confusing as you posted about wrap around care going on til 6.30 but then mention different clubs - one being Lego and another being sports - which is completely different.
Lots of kids go to clubs like this if they are on offer so absolutely go for it if they are available.

Mine did an after school book club once a week for an hour in reception. Did him no harm!

Now he is Y2 he is part of a football team and a rugby team, and does swimming, so I feel like those are enough.

Oh these are 1 hour after school activities rather than wrap around care? Yes go for it!

@kpopdemonhunterz
So you don't work then?

Aaaaaaah like activity clubs? That's totally different. That's fine. I thought you meant ASC

It be sounds like you’re a SAHM? It’s up to you, if you can afford it then why not. I
do think it’s worth finding ways to get through the time with your younger child as well.

Not in reception - not if you don't have to - it's such a long day for them and really emotionally draining at that age. They need to come home and be in a safe space.

Would it work to set a schedule at home for after school? We have a rough one especially at this time of year. Baking one night, craft activity another, film night etc. Rotate toys and other activities such as colouring or sticker book.

If he wants to then I think it's fine but I think the school day is long enough at that age and my kids were always tired when they got home . It would be mean to send him if he just wants to come home

Oh! I thought you meant wrap around. You just mean doing after school football or Lego club. Directed activities that he actually enjoys. Yes of course, go for it.