What do you do when they hit 11?

[kikiliki]

My daughter is just turned 7. She goes to before and after school club 8-6. I have an hour commute each each day so I couldn't collect before 5.30 without working part time and my job doesn't allow for that. My husband also works full time.

It's beginning to dawn on me that there's no after school or before school provision, or holiday club, once they get to secondary school. I can't imagine letting my daughter make her way home and being unsupervised for a 2 hour period every afternoon, but is that my only option without giving up my job?

What do other parents do?

and what about school holidays?

Depends on the child. You need to look again when she's in year 6. There are CMs who do school pickups and holidays and some holiday clubs. She'll probably be fine after school raiding you fridge doing homework.

Could you get an au pair? Someone who can just eat breakfast with her and help with a little homework/ keep company in the afternoon. They usually only work around 20 hrs a week so perfect. Could do 3 hrs a day during regular week ie 15 hrs, and then might work more hours some holidays in exchange

I have an after-school nanny from 3 - 6:30pm Monday-Friday. You might find a young TA who is willing to work the extra hours after school. She helps with homework, puts the dinner on etc, makes them change their beds etc. But I have 3 DCs, so this was the most cost effective option for me and when the youngest is, say, 13, she can sort herself out. DH works term time only so I am very lucky in that respect.

Also, mine get a very early train to be there on time, so that's my before school childcare sorted, courtesy of Great Western rail!

Are you sure about no before or after school provision at your chosen secondary school? It would be unusual if they didn't have a breakfast club and all schools run after school activities/study support/sports. At the very least I would have thought pupils could use the library/computers before and after the school day.

Childminders can provide care for this age group, however I have found that once a child starts secondary school , some do not always want to go to a childminder.
I have some who have not wanted to leave and some who mis- behave because they do not want to be here at that age.

Our secondary school do run homework clubs and various after school clubs like basketball, football etc , also they can use the library after school- so these might be an option .

Thanks I'll ask in case there is anything at the school after all