Please help me understand after school care options...

[Milkymickey]

I would love to send dc to local school. It has a breakfast club but no after school care. I will need this for three days a week and poss other odd times.

The school has given me the names of three private options, I have ruled two out for having ofsted 'unsatisfactory' ratings (!)

What other options do I have? Can I employ someone privately to do the afternoon school run and bring dc home? If I do this, are there rules and regs and how do I find someone? And how much would it cost?

Is there something else ai havent thought of?

And, just to rant, how come my area has loads of great nurseries from 0-5 and then almost no childcare after that? What is going on?

Another thought, can i push my school to have an after school club? I would be happy to contribute to setting up but have no expertise as such, just a need. And I like the school otherwise.

Please help, my anxiety levels are rising!!!

You could try and find a childminder who will collect your dc from school and take them to her house.

Does your school not do any after school clubs? Like a sport.

I think if someone was picking up your child, you'd want them to be a registered childminder, so the council could probably give you details of the ones in your area.

You could also try to get another parent to do it, but I think if you were paying them, either money or 'in kind' it would count as childminding.

You can either use a registered childminder who can look after your child at their home, or a nanny who doesn't have to be registered to look after child in your home.

What do other parents at the school do? Are there options you are not aware of.

I'd also say not to dismiss a provider based on an Ofsted report - have a look and make your own mind up.

not to dismiss a provider based on an Ofsted report

I echo that you need to read the ofsted report, read between the lines, consider the date of the last report and then visit the school. Never just assume the 'top line' of a report is it - be that "unsatisfactory" or indeed "good" etc.

can i push my school to have an after school club

Most schools are open to suggestions, but you cannot push. A school has no obligation to provide afterschool care and the logistics could be prohibiting. You could offer it as a suggestion though.

A childminder is your best option. Ask around at the school gates what other families do.

I feel your pain! Its crap- all these sec sch kids suddenly all grown up and not in need of care. Shocking gap!

Do you know any of the other Mums at the primary school? This can help in many ways. They can recommend a local childminder who will pick up your child from school and take them to their house until you collect. There will be childminders who offer this service in your area and word of mouth is best recommendation. I am out of date with costs I'm afraid!
You can also build relationships with other Mums if you are willing to help them out with childcare too. I had a small group of friends and we all helped each other out. I needed childcare on a Monday for 2 hours, Mum A did it and I took her daughter to ballet every week. If I had meetings to attend after school (teacher) Mum B would take my children and I would have her son in the holidays when she worked. This worked brilliantly and it wasn't a chore - our children were friends and we were great friends too. Mum C drove my children to school for 2 years - I have reciprocated many years later in giving her 18 year old lifts to 6th form!
When you start school this sort of organisation issue can be very stressful but things do work out and it gets easier. You can either pay for childcare or build a network. If you are honest with friends then there is no need for things to be awkward. We all come across someone who takes advantage, you just need to be willing to deal with it. One person sort of bulldozed her child onto me once a week which coincided with when their Maths homework needed to be done (Maths teacher) and tried to convince me my input would be best for the child ......................... didn't last long!