To wonder how we can afford before and after school clubs?

[Dustbunnie]

My son turns 3 in October and he can start at the school nursery from the January (term after he turns 3).
Both me and my partner work, me part time and him full time, but our DS will need to go to morning & after school club due to the times we leave and get home after travel. He’ll only need to be there for half an hour before school and an hour after.
It’s £5.00 for the morning and £9.00 for the afternoon. I couldn’t believe the prices when I read them!
We are on universal credit which tops up our wages, can we get help towards these costs?! Otherwise it’s extortionate!

I was also of the impression that this was quite cheap.
I've paid up to £44 per day when I've used a nanny for my grandkids, 2 kids and covered both before and after school.
I would say after school and breakfast clubs are the cheaper option but the children do not get the 1/1 care and are stuck in school which is not what I wanted for them.

Our school accepts nursery children in breakfast club and after school club.
If you're eligible for tax free childcare you can normally use that to pay for wraparound care.

Universal credit will pay 85% of the costs as long as the hours are reasonable ( in that you are not claiming for loads more hours than you actually work ). It is paid as another element of UC. You pay upfront then claim back any expenses paid in your monthly assessment period.

The price is probably right. Our breakfast club is 5.50 and after school is 8.50 so similar.
But I would say you should stick with the private nursery. My daughter will only start school in reception as the hours in nursery are not long enough for work. My eldest did the same and worked out great. You should get the 30 free hours when she is 3. I get 3 full days free pretty much now My youngest is 3. Just have to pay for school hols.

Our school also provides wrap around care for nursery children. Depends on the school I guess. At ours nursery, reception and yr 1 do breakfast and teatime club together.