After School Routine - suggestions please!

[ChevalierTialys]

DS (age 4) just started in Reception. He used to be in Nursery full time and I worked full time. I have cut my hours so that I can do the school run 3 days a week. I'd just like some suggestions as to what to do with him after school.

When he was in nursery there wasn't a lot of time when we'd got home. it was basically give him his tea, bath, cuddles, then bed. He is my first and only child so I haven't had this come up before.

Now that we have more time I'm hoping to make sure its quality time (or at least not watching endless episodes of Batman and Paw Patrol). So far we've been to the charity shops for a root through the books a couple of times, one day we went for hot choc/babychino at a cafe, we've been to Asda for shopping a couple of times and to the park a few times. Then we head home, I give him some tea, we read a couple of books for his reading record, watch telly and he goes to bed.

He finishes school at 3.10pm and goes to bed at 7pm. How does your after school routine go?

We do story time at the library one night a week, coffee with friends another. Not much more than that in reception year, it's nice to play at home or have a cuddle on the sofa. I'm going to try a take them swimming one evening a week soon.

Play
Relax
Laugh
Watch tv
Read stories
Just hang out

come home at 3:15ish, have a snack, do reading books, play in the garden or with toys inside, they (try) do Just Dance videos whilst I make dinner (we only started doing this recently but they find it hilarious and it helps them to burn off energy. you can get them on youtube), they eat, have a bath, brush teeth and I start reading their story at 6:50 x

Arrive home 3.30, snack and reading. Play 4-4.30, tv 4.30-5. Dinner then play in garden, tidy up, bath at 6, story and lights out by 7.

Twice a week we have activities (eg. Swimming lessons) which keep us out later, otherwise it’s a mixture of play outside/inside and a bit of tv while I cook dinner.

We used to go to the local country park straight after school/nursery 2-3 days a week, all year round, even if it was just for 30 mins. Take a snack to school to eat in the car and change of clothes (waterproof, wellies, gloves/hat) if its a bit, but not too, wet and just have some time in the fresh air to relax and chat. We are in Scotland so it is always can be wet and cold but wrap up and it was good to get out just for a bit.

Then home for dinner, reading homework, TV, bath and then read a story to him in bed.

When he was 5-7 he started swimming and karate lessons, but we still did the park once a week.

Mine are older but still primary aged. They go to childminder's 2x a week but on the days they're at home, this is our routine:

Get home 3.40 ish

Sort out book bags and empty lunchboxes

Get changed (because if their uniform is clean they can wear it again the day after)

Play out with friends, play inside with toys, read or watch TV for a bit

Tea at about 5p.m. (I don't eat with them on weekdays)

More playing and relaxing etc

Tidy up, supper, wash/shower, PJs on from 6p.m.

School reading books

Bed at 7.15/7.45