to be a little peeved about the extra cost for out of school care?

[extremepie]

I am about to start using out of school childcare in the form of breakfast/after school club.

Their fees are ususally £4 an hour so for 2 dc's would obviously be £8 an hour normally. However, as ds2 has ASD and needs a 1:1 while at school I am being charged £16 an hour.

This seems a little steep to me, obviously I have to pay it if I want to use the childcare but AIBU to think it's annoying that I have to pay so much extra?

After school club is £10 a session but I am being quoted £44 a session, which is even more than double! AIBU to wonder if there is anything I can do or do I just have to suck it up :/

Does he honestly need 1:1 in the after school club? Bearing in mind it's a non educational setting?

If so, I guess the club needs to cover their costs.

Are there any asd charities which would help you with costs, maybe grants exist?

Are there any other alternatives which might work out cheaper? Part time nanny? Childminder?

I would get a nanny. Most charge standard regardless so you would be looking at approx )£12 gross an hour. That would cover whole family so Include both children in your case. They would collect children, take home, prep and give dinner, sort homework, and sort out other kids things at house ie uniform/ bedroom etc

It is incredibly annoying and unfair that you have to pay extra, but it's no ones fault.

The first poster makes a good point about whether it's really necessary for your ds to have a 1-1 in these clubs, so I'd talk to them about it. If they say they want the one to one though, I think you will just have to suck it up or look at alternatives.

I'm surprised they can justify that under the Equality Act. Yes, he needs extra care but they are charging more due to a disability.

Wow that's a huge difference. Do they have to pay an extra employee for that cover?

From here:

Each local authority has an area Special Educational Needs Coordinator who you can contact to discuss your childcare requirements. Some coordinators are based in the Family Information Service, otherwise the Family Information Service will contact them for you. The coordinator can also advise you about any additional funding you may be entitled to. You should not be charged extra because your child has a disability or special educational needs. However, many parents report that they are charged extra for the additional support that their child needs. This should be raised with your coordinator.

Does he definitely need 1:1 at the club?

Can you get DLA or whatever it is called now to pay for this sort of costs? I think you definitely would have a case for it. You have extra childcare costs because of his disability. Someone else will be along who knows about these payments and what you call them.

Have you applied for DLA? Sounds like the ideal way to use it.

If her child needs 1:1 all the time then I expect she already gets it for him and its committed to the numerous other disability related costs and quite probably doesn't even come close to covering them.

Op they are not meant to charge extra but anybody who uses things like that knows instantly you mention disability the price rockets I've had childcare ask me for £30ph when other parents are paying £3.40ph and I've just ended up paying it because you don't have much of a choice and the FIS do bugger all other than say "you need to tell them xyz" not much help wen the response to that is "oh dear place gone,now full"

Unfortunately they won't take him without a 1:1 as he has no danger awareness and really does need constant supervision to keep him safe :/

I have looked into childminders etc before I went down the school clubs route as I suspected they might charge me a bundle but sadly there isn't anyone in my area who can do the times I need :(

I do already get DLA but, as has been mentioned it goes on other things, my college do childcare grants but will only cover the standard cost of the setting not the extra I need for the extra staff member - frustrating! I guess I do have to put up and shut up then :D

It's a difficult one, as if he does need 1:1 then the money has to come from somewhere. Would his school LSA be interested in babysitting/nannying for a couple of hours after school for you?

I totally understand why you re peeved, but who else is going to pay an extra person's wages?

Yes it is awkward as I realise I can't expect the 1:1 to work for free but it is annoying that I have to pay more for essentially the same service, I suppose it would be unfair to expect the school to swallow the extra cost but it just feels a bit unfair :/

I think she is happy to do the wraparound care because her own daughter attends the same school, I don't think she would agree to looking after both dc's at my home but it would be soooo much easier and cheaper!

Get an assessment with ss children with disabilities and ask for direct payments to cover the extra cost.

I already get direct payments for respite care cest but thanks for the suggestion :)

What about charity grants op?

I know there is a charity near us who give grants to local people, Autism Allstars in kent.

Maybe worth asking the ta anyway ... If you don't then you'll never know.

I would also suggest an after school nanny. I have one, she's paid £10 an hour to pick up my 2 DD's, take them home (via the park), and cook their dinner. I get home from work to two happy, full and relaxed children. I advertised through childcare.co.uk and found a fantastic nanny. Good luck!

Yeah I did look at childcare.co.uk but you have I pay to register with them :(

I don't think you should have to pay more than other parents. I think it should be absorbed into general costs and they should put up charges for everyone to cover it if necessary. it wouldn't put up prices by much if the cost was spread amongst all parents.