To put DS in before/after school club already?

[jswn]

DS started reception last week, he did three half days and one full day. He's now starting full time this week.

ExDP and I both work full time, he's not brilliant with helping out anyway but is now on nights so it's more difficult. His parents usually help out but they are unwell.

This week I'm on early starts (12.5 hour shifts).

I mentioned booking DS into before and after school club this week, but ExDP thinks it's too soon.

AIBU, is it too soon?

It's not ideal because they do get really tired at first, and asc with mixed ages, looser supervision, can be another new environment they need to settle into. But plenty of people do because what are the alternatives?

If he thinks it's too soon, he can commit to all the childcare.

If you have to work, what alternative is there?

Also your ex is not 'helping out' when caring for his own child. He sounds like an unreliable parent. If they're your days, it's your choice.

Well our school does club from day 1 so you'd be paying for it anyway. Mine were in the ASC from reception and it was fine. It's playtime with friends. Much better than going home and watching tv/gaming

If ex DH thinks it's too soon what is his alternative solution given you need to work?

My DS is in P1 and was in breakfast club from day 2,plus doing after-school activities most nights (not after-school club because the school doesn't have one...). He was a bit overtired on the second Friday evening but fine at school.

Honestly in most of our local schools he wouldn't be able to attend as both before and after school club would already be full.

A huge amount of children in reception use these clubs up and down the country it's absolutely not too soon and if you want a place I'd act asap.

It's what we had to do too when DS1 started reception last year and it was fine. If you can swing it so that he's only do one or other each day for a while (breakfast club or ASC but not both) then I did find that meant he wasn't as tired but if not (and we couldn't always manage that) them it'll be fine.

It's not ideal but if you need to, you need to. Check if there's space though, at our school if your not booked in before the start of term, you'll be on a waiting list until at least Christmas.

Both mine were in breakfast and after school club from first week of school !

Why would it not be fine? DD started 2 days at wrap around in her second week of reception last year. There were loads of kids from her class doing the same. She was absolutely fine and wanted to do a bunch of extra curricular clubs after school as soon as she could as well.

I'll be doing asc for my reception child from next week, as a lone parent working ft what choice is there? I spoke to the teacher (to warn her/apologise that dc might be v tired) and she said lots of parents have to do it, you won't be the only one.

At my DDs school the ASC takes preschool children!

They also separate by age so preschool-yr1 are in their own separate club away from the older children.

Most working parents put their kids in before and after school club from day one. It's not too soon plus if you have work what other choice to you have? Unless your Ex is willing to pick up the extra childcare?

If you need to then do it, if your ex doesn't like it then tell him it's his problem to fix then or butt out