Hi all,
A very happy new year to you!
Last year I posted asking for advice before I returned to work. Many thanks for the lovely tips from all of you. I got some very useful advice which helped me organise myself for school runs and work. It's been a year and I have been able to successfully return to work.
I had some help from my dad for child care but in autumn term that wasn't available and I had to use after school clubs and holiday clubs. My son is 5 and in year 1 (summer born) has spent long hours 8/8.5 per day at school. I feel this is affecting his health, concentration and immunity (he missed 7 days school due to viral cold coughs etc). He also is so knackered by the time I pick him up at 5.30 pm we don't seem to have any quality time together. I am feeling like he is missing on his childhood and this is making me very depressed. One day I picked him up earlier and watched him looking so tired and half asleep in the club. Over the Christmas holidays I had time off and noticed he has so much energy when he had been home. He really has spent so much time in clubs and I assumed his lack of energy is from being the youngest of the lot.
There are no childminders for this area who have spaces. Our names are in the list since September. I might have to consider nanny but will be a big expense.
Do any of you use after school nanny? Can you tell me what to expect and is there any other alternatives? After school club is combined for all years and I feel it's too structured for the little ones. The older ones seem to finish their homework and cope better. While he does benefit from spending time with other kids will he miss that experience if he alone for 2 hrs with nanny? I am also worried about safety etc so will probably get a camera.
I do apologise for the long post on New Year's Day. I just haven't been able to relax over holidays as I am worried about my little boy.