I used to work 3 long days and send my ds to child minder. As I have a considerable commute to work (an hour each way) it was cheaper to put ds with the childmider after school (which is subsidised on WTC & CTC) than my petrol costs were!
However when she gave up childminding after less than a year there were no options as no other childminders in my area.
I had to go to my boss and ask to reduce hours, work over 4 days to manage the hours, and do the school pick up myself every day. So I was doing an extra days travelling (petrol costs & parking).
It has benefits in that I don't rely on anyone else, I get to do homework with ds so it actually gets done, and spending that time with him has been so much better for us both I feel. He can have friends over after school now too.
As to holiday clubs, you're right. I have to drive my ds about 10 mins further than where I work (an hour away) to get him to a holiday club. And that is only open at easter and 4 week in the summer.
There used to be a brilliant club open about 15 mins in a different direction past work which was open every holiday, half term, over xmas too as well as doing a breakfast and asfter school club for lots of local schools with pick ups.
But that closed last year as the school they rented decided to whack up their rental and they couldn't justify cost to parents.
Said school then started their own breakfast and afetr school club for children at their school only, but no holiday club at all!
Has been a nightmare to find a decent holiday club since. There are others, but they mostly involve sitting about doing jigsaws and watching tv. My ds is used to lots of activities being laid on (go-karts, quad bikes, sports coaches, swimming as well as the usual activities).
Yes it is pricey. At around £25-35 a day. But some do special 'buy one week get another free' type deals. Also as I can get up to 80% of it back it's actually costing me £5-£7 for a whole day. Which is amazing value really. That said I pay out over £1000 a year in holiday club costs, which costs me £200. Doesn't seem like a lot, but that's £200 I don't get to spend on other stuff.
So yes, you may well have to drive some way to find one, but a good holiday club is worth its weight in gold ime. Definitely look further afield and be prepared to travel.
Ask people at your work what clubs they use/used. Both the clubs I use came on recommendation from a colleague who had sent her ds to them over many years, so I knew they were well established as well as fun.