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Original poster

After school club or childminder?

29 replies

voxnihili · 25/02/2022 18:48

DD (3.5) starts full time school in September so I’m thinking of options for wraparound care. DP and I work in opposite directions - both have approx 30 minutes commutes. She currently attends nursery near my work from 8am-5.30pm and I do all drop offs and pick ups. DP does shift work and this is the most sensible option (he prepares our dinner for when we get home). DD currently has dinner at nursery.

I’m torn between wraparound school care and a childminder. We only need term time. Things I like about school care are that she’d only go to one place each day which has worked well so far with nursery, and is possibly more reliable as less likely to be affected by staff illness / holidays. I’m concerned about the hours though - they’re open 7.30am-6pm which in theory should be fine but would be cutting it fine on the night I have my meeting, and if DP was on a late shift and couldn’t get her. After school club also don’t do dinner so we’d have to sort that once home which would mean eating much later than she’s used to.

I wonder if a childminder might be better as hours might be more flexible (not especially late - just 6.30 ish) I’d be more than happy to pay for extra hours to cover us. Also, wonder if it might be more relaxing in a home environment for her. Do childminders give dinner if requested? Again would be happy to pay extra or provide food.

Would be grateful for any opinions or ideas I’ve not thought of. Nursery has worked so well and I’m feeling very anxious about all the changes we need to make.

OP posts:
ThatsALotOfPassionfruit · 25/02/2022 18:51

I think you may be hard pushed to find care past 6 but agree it’s more likely that a CM would agree to it.
Mine goes go after school club. Works fine. They do have ‘tea’ at ours though, beans on toast, bagels, crackers that sort of thing

SkiRun0077 · 25/02/2022 18:52

I used a childminder she was fab, we did breakfast & after school. Some days were longer so she would stay for tea, other days I’d pick up earlier. The best decesion I ever made for my DDs. We did term time only but then had ad hoc school holiday days too. CM preferred that as sometimes she took school holidays off and other times worked. Finding the right person for your child is key. They are knackered after school so actually chilling in front of TV on some days was needed, other days they went to the park after school or did crafts. But a much quieter environment than after school club would have been.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 25/02/2022 19:02

Depending on your area, you may not find childcare past 6pm.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 25/02/2022 19:05

Look at the clubs your school offers, also is there a guaranteed place? My sons sells out within ten min of going live, it’s a nightmare, and they don’t offer tea.

If you want a childminder you’re need to start looking now!

Classicblunder · 25/02/2022 19:10

Does after school club not provide any food?

2redcats · 25/02/2022 19:10

You may not have a choice depending on the area - our school wraparound care is very oversubscribed and gives priority to children already there.

We use the wraparound care for a few sessions a week, but it does limit my job options, I can effectively only change a job if I know the hours in May and start the job in September....

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 25/02/2022 19:11

How many times does your late meeting fall on dhs late shifts?

Cyclingforcake · 25/02/2022 19:15

Using a childminder has worked brilliantly for our family. DC go to a more homely environment, get a proper tea and even do their homework/reading. It’s also given them a group of children who are separate from their school friends but are allies in the playground. And they’ve learnt lots of other useful skills like changing a game to let the younger ones join in, listening to the little ones read or helping them with their craft projects. Ours is open till 6 but very understanding about occasional work or traffic related lateness. But I think we’ve only been late about twice in 5 years.

Hercisback · 25/02/2022 19:28

After school care until 6 is amazing, ours ends at 5.30pm. They do give them a good snack, like toast or crumpets, so they don't need a huge dinner after.

I'm guessing you are in education as you only need term time care, can you cut some of your days shorter and work in the evening? It's a long day for you if you're not done til 5.30pm then need to commute.

MinorWomensWhiplash1 · 25/02/2022 19:32

After school club is preferable in my opinion, friends who use childminders have been stuck before when the childminder was ill and couldn’t take the DC.

Original poster
voxnihili · 25/02/2022 19:49

Thanks for all the comments, some useful thoughts. We still don’t know where DD will go to school as offers haven’t been made yet.

After school club offers a snack but I don’t know how substantial it is. Or whether it’s easy to get a place.

I think I am leaning towards a childminder as it may be more relaxed but I’m nervous about reliability.

I’m SLT in a school and leave shortly after 5 most evenings except once a week when I have a meeting until 5.30/5.45. The days both DP and I have to work late coincide at most twice per month, more often just once. So I’m hoping a childminder might be open to a slightly later finish on those days.

OP posts:
Hercisback · 25/02/2022 20:09

You can be SLT and leave before 5 apart from on meeting days. I know it's crap to work evenings but needs must!
Have you considered moving your job closer to home in the long term?

Childminders sometimes have a back up option for emergencies but obviously this won't apply if something long term happens to them.

Catsbythefireside · 25/02/2022 20:11

That’s difficult. I’d personally avoid childminders for wraparound care but I’d agree they are more likely to be that bit more flexible.

Original poster
voxnihili · 25/02/2022 20:13

I’m not allowed to leave before 5! I wish I could - I get so much more done at home. And prefer it - I can’t stand the culture of being in school all hours.

I’m looking for things that are closer but to be honest there’s not much out there - plus a 30 minute commute isn’t much and even if something was physically closer it would likely take as long to get there due to local traffic.

OP posts:
Hercisback · 25/02/2022 20:17

That's bonkers that you can't leave til 5. I understand that some schools do have silly rules for no reason. What a barrier to progression for so many people?

I'm spoilt with a ten minute commute and it makes me never want to leave!

Do you have a friend who could cover the odd meeting? It's something I'd do for a friend once a week month.

Apple40 · 25/02/2022 20:18

Hi, speaking as an ex childminder , I would start looking into a few childminders now as school run spaces are booked and gone within a week of school offer places coming out in April. I do think you may struggle to find childcare after 6pm on a regular basis.

Original poster
voxnihili · 25/02/2022 20:27

It really is stupid that we can’t leave earlier. Tip of the iceberg though in terms of silly rules!

At the moment I don’t have anyone who could pick her up on the once or twice a month we’d need it - covid has made it hard to meet people and I’m not local to where I’m now living. That could change when she starts though and I’d be willing to reciprocate.

I am so torn on what would be best but a quick Google has shown very few childminders (in fact I’ve not found a single one that serves our preferred primary). I do also still like the idea of the reliability of school care.

OP posts:
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 25/02/2022 20:32

@voxnihili

Yes you may find the decision is taken out your hands as we couldn’t find a child minders either, and the ones we found didn’t want to do wrap around care.

Madness you have to stay til 5 every day, is that just for SLT? I know not to email one of our SLT on a tue after 3 as she takes her son swimming and other SLT on a Thursday as they play tennis at 3.30

southlondoner02 · 25/02/2022 20:34

We did childminder for the first year then switched to after school club. Worked well. The first year DD was knackered and could just relax at the childminders and was also fed so she could get to bed in good time.

Childminder was a lot more expensive than after school club though, which was one of the reasons for the switch.

Original poster
voxnihili · 25/02/2022 20:44

@OnceuponaRainbow18 - just SLT. It’s madness. I assumed it was probably the same in all schools (it’s my first SLT post) but it seems not …

OP posts:
Popfan · 25/02/2022 20:50

I'm also stuck on the fact you have to stay till 5... I'm SLT and we leave when we like after school unless there's meetings! What would happen if you just left? I'd challenge that if I were you and check if it's within your directed hours. It's all about trust at a good school and as long as you get the work done it shouldn't matter what time you leave.

As to your actual question, I'd say child minder, it's more cosy and homelike and so less tiring than being at school for that length of time.

NaerDoWell · 25/02/2022 21:06

Mine were in after school club from reception and it was the best decision for them - they got to hang out with their new school friends and they loved the ladies who worked there - most were TAs from the school. They had a fairly substantial snack at 4pm so DC were never hungry- stuff like beans on toast, fruit, cheese and crackers, filled pittas. There was a choice of activities like craft, outdoor play, even a PS4 Confused (restricted game time!) and there was a lovely chill out area they could relax in if they were tired- as they often are when they are 4/5!

If there's not the option to book a place past 6pm and you need that flexibility - then you'll have to find another option on those days.

MrsLJ2014 · 25/02/2022 21:40

Our SLT often leave before the day is done - 'working' from home!!
I chose after school club for my child and it was the best decision for us. I had the email requesting a place ready to go the minute I got the school place.
He gets a snack there that tides him over until tea time.

Hercisback · 25/02/2022 22:17

Our head is usually gone by 5. I think you need another SLT job in a less crazy school.

I'm assuming secondary for the silly MAT rules. Get out!!

eyeoresancerre · 25/02/2022 22:28

Don't suppose you've considered an Au Pair at all? They can only do a few hours a day but could pick up your child, bring them home, cook them their dinner etc.
If you find a good one they are amazing. Only downfalls - they may only stay a year and you would need a spare room for them. But friends who have had Au Pairs have built really lovely long term friendships with them.