When did you stop childcare?

[BoyMamma2]

I use OSC 2 days a week on my full work days. I had thought I’d stop oldest child half way through p7 to prepare him for coming home when he’s at high school. Now a solo parent and money is super tight. Considering when he starts P6 he could come home himself.

He’d be in the house for 2 hours alone. We live in a safe area, he’s only a few minutes to walk home. I’d leave a snack that doesn’t need cooked . He’s a sensible kid. Is that too young? He’d be 10 1/2 by that time.

Sorry I think 2 hours is a long time for 10.5 I would keep asc another year or so

How does he feel about it?

I would definitely consider stopping at that age, if they didn’t mind. Some kids that age can dislike being alone in the house.

He’s fine with it. He walks home already with friends and lets himself in. I’m home on those days though so it’s not needed but more he wants a bit of independence.

Should add I’ll likely he WFH one of those days but not guaranteed.

Loads of kids stop in P7. My P7 only goes to after school club one day a week but that's only because loads of her friends go that day and she wants to hang out with them. She gets the bus home on other days.

Although we wfh and she only has an occasional day where we are both out. She has a key and is fine to let herself in.

At that age ds was regularly home alone for 2 hours. The bigger issue was remembering keys, not being silly and leaving them in the door etc. It was always easier if we went out when he was already here rather than relying on him to properly and safely come home alone.

Having said that, dd is younger but I am confident she is already sensible enough to let herself in etc. She wouldn't want to be left for 2 hours though.

Dd is9 and in y5 and I’ve already stopped 1 day a week when she’s alone just over an hour. Hoping from Easter time I’ll stop all the other days when she’ll be home about 2 hours. It costs me £25 a day for breakfast and after school club so it’s got to go as quickly as possible. The cost is not sustainable any longer

Maybe cut done to one and see how he finds it

Personally I think it's too young but it's something you need to risk assess yourself.

I have a 13yr old who started letting himself in after school in S1.

I also have a P5 who goes to after school club on my office days and he'll continue with this is P6, in P7 we'll reassess if still wants to or not. But his older sibling will be here so it's an easier decision to make.

I mostly WFH so I'm usually here after school and only in office 1 or 2 days a week. Even still I need after school care for the youngest as I still have 2 hours of work after 3pm and he gets bored, he's better with his friends at after school.

My ds is in year 6, so starting secondary school next year. We're working up to him being able to walk home and then short amounts of time at home. There is no childcare available when he starts senior school, so we thought I slow build up will be good. Unfortunately we are unable to work from home in our jobs but there are only 3 evenings a week when he would be in the house until 5pm and depending on dh finish time it might on be until 4:30.

DS did this from aged 10. He hated after school club as all the kids were much younger than him.

He's pretty sensible though and spent the first hour on the loo (he always sits on the toilet for ages). Finished school at 3, walked home for maybe 20 minutes with friends. He'd call me when he got in and I was home at 5 at the latest. He'd have a snack and just watch something on TV or play on his playstation/PC.

I have very good neighbours who he knew to call if there was a problem and he has a friend who lives next door. He never needed to ring them.