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

[kpopdemonhunterz]

Ds is reception and honestly I find the after school slot (330-630 ish) a real slog, especially in winter.

School have got wraparound which I don’t technically need but was wondering about signing him up anyway a couple of times a week. Or is that mean?

I did clubs/after school care from year 1 onwards

@kpopdemonhunterz I am both a primary teacher/tutor and a mum of a 5 yo little one (plus two much older teenagers).
I personally think the school day is more than long enough already for Reception, but understand if of course you have to use after school childcare because you work?

Mean.. if you don't need to.. plan things to do with him.
Go to the library after school or the swimming baths or museum.. in the summer go to the park etc. Does he miss you or you him at school?

No, that’s what I mean: I don’t actually need it from a work point of view, it’s more for exercise / learning new skills / social side.

Are you WFH or not, it’s not clear from your post?

Summer isn’t too much of a problem. It’s this time of year, it was challenging before the Christmas holidays as it was. The nearest library is a twenty minute drive and I have a younger child (plus despite loving books library visits have never been hugely enjoyable for anyone!)

I don’t WFH.

My kids had to do wrap around care 4 days a week, the entire time they were at primary.
They were fine, had friends there, nothing really bad to say about it but it’s a long day for them, especially reception age and they probably would have preferred to come home. I probably wouldn’t choose to put them in twice a week if I didn’t have to but plenty will say go for it.
Do you work? What will you be doing whilst he was at school til 6.30?

If you'll easily get a place then I don't see why not for a few days a week. It's a warm place for him to chill out with his friends after school for a couple of hours.

It isn’t until 630 - that’s a late one. It’s until 430.

One club is based around a sport he likes and one is Lego which he also likes (and I am rubbish at!)

Our afterschool allows 3:15 to 5pm and then 5pm to 6pm. Could you put him in for an hour only?

Why are you finding the after school bit challenging?

In reception I was on maternity leave with my youngest. After school it was really hard he was emotional, hyper and some times angry. I think this was becoming overwhelmed at school.

Could you find other clubs to do like swimming, beavers, martial arts, football?

If you work all day and need the time to breathe, I totally get it. I do similar with mine. I work till 3 but they do ASC one day a week so I can do groceries or just have some time to myself.

If you aren't working in the day, I don't really get it tbh, but I know people who don't work and have nannies so 🤷

@Emsie1987 it is just one hour. school finishes at 315 then they have a 15 minute ‘transition’ while the other children leave and then the club starts, I forget some places have longer. So it’s until 430.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

@kpopdemonhunterz
So you don't work then?

I’ve tried to and sort of stick to it but it’s tricky as I have a toddler as well. If I just had ds it would be easier to do something (he is quite an energetic child) like swimming or different clubs but it’s just a bit too late to be taking her out somewhere so then ds gets a bit bored and restless.

I’m just trying to think about how to reduce TV time mostly!

The main issue is you have to block book them so if he doesn’t want to do it then it’s a waste of money.

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

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.

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.

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.