URGENT advice please: re primary schools and after school clubs for working mumsxxx

[Wolfgirl]

Hello lovely ladies; My DS will be going to school in 18 months; YES I know its a way off, but I have to consider my working hours - NOW. I currently do 4 days 8-4pm; I want to drop to 3 days a week as Im not coping. I have to submit my Flexible working application to my boss; I was going to apply for job share, which would be 2.5 days a week; THe NHS takes forever!!!! to get anything done, and if I applied say.... today, it would take at least another 6-8 months for anything to change for me. And then in 18 months (so that would realistically only be a year after the changes) I will need to apply for reduced hours because I would need to pick DS up from school. DD will still be in nursery.

So, my question: do most schools have after school clubs - and if so, do they charge, and what kind of charges - are we looking at same kinda rates Nurseries charge, or £2.50 an hour, £10 an hour etc? If so, at £10 hour, we are looking at anohter £50 a week, £200 a month!!! AND another question, what do working mums do in the school holidays?

Unfortunately, I need to work as my DH is on low salary, already has two kids which we pay maintenance for.

Many thanks, and I hope all this makes sense. (am posting this in Education too, as not sure where to put it)

It totally varies which schools will have after school clubs - you'll have to check that. We have been in 3 primary schools, all with full before and after school club. Costs for us have been about £5-6 per child for the 2.5-3 hour slot between school end and 6pm. So cheaper than nurseries. In our areas it's been a similar price to after school childminder.

But we're not in the SE where it seems everything costs a lot more.

holidays - we've used school based holiday clubs, about £10-12 a day - so far cheaper than nurseries. When the girls were about 4 or 5 we sometimes used their old nursery, which was 3 times the price of the school holiday club but seemed a bit more appropriate when they were little.

overall it is a LOT cheaper than paying for a pre-schooler's childcare.

the after school club at a local school is £6.50 for the whole session, although at another school, a parent pays £23.50 and have to pay half price for half terms , even though they don't offer a service.

There are also private After School or Out of School clubs. Mine costs £75-85 per week for school pick up, and keep them until 6pm.
It costs extra in school holidays, can't remember how much.
part-time (for less than a full week) is £20-22 per day.

Well, have just called the school we would like DC's to go to; really really lovely lady (who only just happened to pop in for something, cos its easter hols and school broke up). Yes there is an arrangement for after school hours, so that is handy, but I have to go see their web site for details. Also spoken with boss today and explained the hold up and that I may not be applying for 3 day week, but for reduced hours. YAWN! what a carry-on!

thank you so much, it has been useful info. bless ya! xx