Childminder or afterschool club for Reception child?

[BornToFolk]

DS is starting Reception in September. We were planning on using the breakfast and afterschool club at the school at least for a couple of days a week (still don't know what hours I'll be working in Sept!) but the school has just withdrawn the afterschool club so I need to find alternatives.

There are a couple of after school clubs that pick up from DS's school but they aren't particularly easy to get to for me (I don't drive).

I'm starting to think that a childminder might be better, especially if DS ends up going more than 2 days a week as it'll be a quieter, more homely environment. I'm hoping that I could also find one that's easier for me to pick him up from.

Would it be too late to find a childminder for Sept? And do any childminders also do holiday care, or would they pick up from a holiday club?

Any general thoughts on afterschool club vs childminder, especially for a Reception starter?

I have had a couple of reception children over recent years who started at after school club but found it too noisy/hectic and really geared towards older children. I would have thought a well run club should be able to deal with a mix of ages, but just saying really that it might not suit a quieter or more timid child. I would say if your local after school club is closing then demand for Childminders may be high so don't delay if that is what you decide to do.

Have a look around and see what suits you. Most CMs do holiday care, but not all.

Quieter? LOL

I wish!

My 4 mindees are all After Schoolers, 1 is in Reception due to go up in September to yr 1

I choose CM for my DS when in reception - it worked really well but agree you will need to move quickly - I would book in the other after school club as insurance

What food does the after school club offer? Ours only offers snacks, but our CM gives them a proper hot tea. Also gives you a known environment if you need holiday cover.

I used a mix of both when mine were in reception, which worked very well. Although CMs have been leaving the profession in droves, I doubt you'll have too much trouble finding one. Lots of parents have stopped using childcare because they've either lost their job, cut back their hours or simply can't afford it any more. At the same time, the cost of everything is rising, so some CMs are now offering more flexibility now than they might have done a few years back because they desperately need to get their numbers up to make their business viable. A lot depends on your region and how rural/urban you are.

Imo at is a would be a long day at school for a 5 year old. A cm would suit better as it is more of a home from home enviroment.

One little girl I had since reception (now going in to year 3 in Sept) started with me 5 days a week. When I needed to cut out one afternoon care so that I could study, her parents put her in after school club for 2 days a week - this was from the end of Yr R. So she has a lovely balance now: 3 days at mine, and two at after school plus me in the holidays.

I think that a CM for a reception child is better than after school club straight away at the very least.