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?

There is nothing like this at Ds’s school. The only wraparound are some clubs which end at 430.

if he enjoys the activities then it's fine, no different really to picking him up and then taking him out to something he wants to do, which you might do if you didn't have the younger child and so found it easier!

I’m looking forward to this nap transition stage ending; I remember it being a nightmare with ds!

Oh that’s a shame!

Yes, I’d look at booking a couple of clubs after school in the week if you can. Learning to swim usually is a half hour lesson but the whole event (changed travel etc..) takes a couple of hours.

Speak to the other mums at the school gate, find out which clubs their children attend for ideas.

Plenty of children enjoy after school clubs as a way to spend more time with their friends.

Reception children tend to get tired more easily though so you need to balance it out.

If I’m ever not working I give my children a choice of an early pick up rather than ASC and they always want to stay at ASC unless I can bring their friends home with them for a playdate. They have forged really strong friendships with their school friends and I don’t think it’s any coincidence that those friends are also ASC regulars, they’re getting up to 10 hours a week free play opportunities with those friends which is huge.

I think you’ve misunderstood me a bit: the clubs are at the school.

What 😂

I’m home on Thursdays and my son is 9 so walks himself to school. He could just come home and I’d prefer it as it would save me a pickup and the money - but he loves it and wants to keep going so I’m keeping him in for now. After school club can be brilliant for kids (and it’s screen free fun which is a bonus!)

Mine did every club going, football, athletics, choir, dance, science etc. You had to sign up quick as they only had so many spaces at each club, but I made sure they were first at the door with that signed slip the next day 🤣

OP I think it’s a great idea to try a couple of clubs. Although it’s £50 you’d probably spend that on other stuff anyway like swimming or soft play. You’d also have to entertain a toddler.

Edit: Deleted text as wasn’t meant to be a reply to you! Sorry.

Maybe do a couple of the activity type ones that end at 4.30. They’re fun and educational. It’s a long day but better than sitting in a tablet from 3.30pm and it’s not the same as sitting at a table learning. I totally have felt weird this year about what we do after school - basically nothing since the weather turned cooler so I get what you mean. I try to play board games etc but it’s not easy on top of cooking / cleaning / childcare. Your mental health is important too.

Can't he just chill at home? Or have the odd play date plus maybe one day in ASC and see how it goes?

I think it depends on what the club is like - if it's a good one where kids can choose what to do/ run about play etc then that is one thing but I have seen so many where the kids (especially at 5 years old) are just exhausted and want to go home

Remember the day is very tiring for them at that age - a lot of instruction/ following what teachers are saying, behaving, holding in emotions.

It's fine to do that OP

I personally wouldn't, but then I strongly believe children in the UK start school far too young as is. I was a primary teaxher for 21 years and didn't put my August-born in until he legally had to be in - did him the world of good 😀

In primary 1 (our version of reception) dd did all the clubs - cheer, gymnastics, multi sports, swimming They weren’t childcare in that I had to take and collect her but i was only in brief contact with her as I moved her from one location to the next. Would have been ideal if they’d just collected her from the class. We’d usually stop off at the park on the way home too. You aren’t really in a position to do all that and your school offers a better alternative where you don’t have to come out only to sit in a waiting area for an hour anyway so seems a no brainer to me. I don’t remember any tiredness issues. She’s more tired now af 16 😆

They seem pretty good. I don’t want him overly tired and I know it’s a long day but he does seem a bit bored and restless at home. If he came home and did just chill that would obviously be different!

I think it's in a 4-5 year old's nature to be a bit bored and restless at home at the end of the day! I wouldn't think to solve it with keeping my child in school. But that's just me

Well, he’s technically in school, but it isn’t school IYSWIM. And it isn’t every day, either. ‘But that’s just me’ does come over a bit superior sounding, to be honest. If you think it’s wrong just say so and say why!

It wasn't meant to come across as superior sounding, I'm saying every parent feels differently and makes different choices.

Of course they do and I have no issue with that or with people sharing why they make the choices they do. I do have an issue with ‘But that’s just me’ because it is quite dismissive and shuts down any further conversation or discussions.

Why not try it, see if he loves it or if he gets knackered? Nothing to lose by trying.

Okay? I'm not sure why you've chosen me to have a go at. I was genuinely trying to share my view in an open minded way (which I thought was the point of this thread). See ya!