New to Edinburgh: Afterschool alternatives (P5)?

[takotako]

Hello all,
I'm joining the ranks of newcomers to Edinburgh, arriving this summer, originally from the US, hoping for advice. :)

We've got schools mostly sorted out, except one last piece: after-school care for our 9 yo. The after-school club at our catchment primary seems to be completely full. There are a few special subject clubs that might work (dance, coding, etc.), but not every day, and Fridays - ugh.

Are there options for after-school care, other than the in-school clubs?

Thanks very much in advance for advice. So nice to have this forum!

After school clubs often have a massive waiting list, I know a lot of people have had to change jobs or quit altogether to make it work. ESP with Friday's being so short. I think a childminder might be your best option. I know at our school there are a number who do wrap around care. Hope you find a solution

I would add your child's name to the waiting list for the school club, if you can. A lot can change between now & the summer.

But other than that, childminders are your best option. Edinburgh.gov.uk, scottishchildcare.co.uk, scma.org, childcare.co.uk are the usual websites - or the school may hold a list of childminders.

Thanks for adding those websites I totally meant to do that x

Thanks Datec and lotsofcheese. I'll definitely get on the wait list asap, and keep my fingers crossed. Great to have the childminder websites, sounds like we will probably need those.

I used a childminder for before and after school care.

Thanks, GrooveeCar. I admit I had to look up what a childminder is, but now I get it: small, in-home daycare.
Do people share nanny services often -i.e., do 2 or 3 families get together and hire one babysitter? If so, is there an exchange for finding these kinds of arrangements?

Nanny share arrangements for after-school care are less common than using a childminder.

Depending what area you are moving to, there is also Oscars out-of-school childcare which also does breakfast clubs & holiday camps - they have a website - sorry can't link as on phone.

Childcare outside of the home is tightly regulated here and all providers have to be registered , suitably qualified and insured etc. Private nannies are really the preserve of the very wealthy here as again employment law is very strict. www.nationalcarestandards.org/213.html
www.scottishfamilies.gov.uk/NationalCategoryDetail.aspx?ncid=1