Advice on after school clubs

[Sarah31990]

Hi everyone. We're thinking of sending my DD to an after school club this year to give my mum a bit of a break and would like a bit of advice from any of you who have used one. What were your experiences, anything to consider, what did you like/dislike about it. It would be the first time we've relied on anyone but my mum for childcare so we're a bit nervous about it.

Thanks

Is it a club based at the school?
We use one attached to the school and it's brilliant. It's great that the kids mix with all year groups. DS loved playing with the older kids when he was younger and now he really enjoys looking after the little ones.

DS tells me off if I turn up early to collect him as he's often having too much fun.

My daughter has gone 4 nights a week since reception.
What is it you're worried about?
They get to hang out with their friends and have fun.

Tbh I just picked the one in the school. Assuming you’re talking about wrap around care straight after school, do you even have any choice of clubs? You could visit one afternoon to see what the atmosphere is like but tbh I’d just book and try it as places usually get booked up quickly.

DS used to play board games, outdoor games, arts/crafts, have time in the school library, had a snack etc at his. Nothing groundbreaking, but provided a nice familiar home from home while I finished work every day. He saw kids from different year groups regularly which I think was nice for him to have a bit of exposure to seeing what the big ones were talking about in the years ahead of him, and learning to look out for the littler ones.

The only annoying thing was the cost! But you can probably claim tax free childcare if you earn the right amount and it’s Ofsted registered.

I've worked in a few and sent my kids as well. It's good they get a snack and there is a homework area. If they don't want to do homework there is play resources games xboxes and access to outdoors. During holidays they go trips. The down side is its a ridiculously long day. Some kids were out their house from. 8 am to 7 pm

You are overthinking this. If there is one at school, just send her there. My child is happy there nothing to dislike.

My daughter goes to the one in our school and I also worked in one when I was younger. The one my daughter goes to is privately run although it’s based in the school. They also provide a holiday club which is a real plus if the one you are looking at also does that.
No complaints really. They provide a small snack and drink and provide a range of fairly low key activities- play park nearby if it’s nice, games in the gym hall, board games, crafts, baking that sort of thing. Kids can also do homework if they wish. My daughter is a bit over it now she’s nearly 11 and in her last year of primary school, I think she thinks it’s a bit childish for her now, but she does like it when they make jewellery or slime!

Both mine went to wraparound care; ours is privately run but attached to a primary school, in most I’ve come across the kids will be all mixed in together, yr R -6, whilst they don’t have to socialise together a loud 10 year old can be a bit intimidating to a small 5 year old. On the flip side to this, my youngest loves hanging round with the older ones and really likes this side to it, my eldest is much more timid and found it a bit overwhelming. This is worse on bad weather days when they are all stuck indoors.
Closing time may not be when most parents pick up, in our setting if your child is still there bang on closing time they will probably be one of the last ones there. Other settings will differ, get a feel for this & reassure your child if needed. If I know I’m picking up at the very end of the day I need to warn my son for example that he may be the last one, but I will still be there.
Your child’s day is getting longer, they may be more tired/need more food if they’ve been running round the playground for 2 hours before you pick up, if you have afterschool activities they do (brownies/swimming etc) bare that in mind.
They will make core memories with their friends there & my youngest definitely has strong friendships with the before/afterschool kids he gets on with.

It’s a good idea as many kids get fomo if they don’t attend at all. All positive from our end I would just check the snack situation. Ours are very basic, but healthy. But my ds wasn’t keen on what was offered at first so I had to send snacks in.

Thanx everyone. I think we're gna go for it, everyone has had really positive experiences. This one is part of the school but she's only been at this school a few months so new school, new area, new house. I think I was just worried about too many new changes but when we spoke to her tonight she's really keen to go, a few girls in her class go so she will have friends there.
Thanks for all the responses.

I'd ask the mums who have kids going to it. My little girl likes ro go sometimes just to hang out with her friends, and our school does a drama one she likes. We don't need the childcare she just enjoys it. Try it for a few weeks and ask her what she thinks. If she doesn't like it or gets too tired you can always take her out... if she likes school, she'll probably like it.