How many after school clubs does your reception aged child do?

[CupofChar2345]

Full-time working lone parent.
DD is in reception.
She currently does Rainbows on a Monday and Swimming on a Friday.
I had put her on a waiting list for drama/dance classes earlier in the year before she got her place at Rainbows, and I have had an email now to say a place has come available. I know she would absolutely love it, but I am worried it is a lot for her.
For context. she is extremely energetic, she doesn't say she's tired very often, although at times she doesn't sleep well, but she's never been a hugely great sleeper.
Another thing is, Rainbows is an hour, swimming is 30 minutes, dance and drama would be an hour on a Wednesday.
I know she loves both Rainbows and Swimming and wouldn't want to drop either of those, but the bigger part of me just say it's a lot. I've been given the option to go for a free trial and commit to it after so I may just do that. x

Zero.

Recently tried swimming but she really didn't settle in and it became a battle.

When you say you are ful time, does that mean she is a wrap around club or childminder as well? I think that makes a big difference... getting home at 3.30 is a lot less tiring than getting home at 5.30.

None. I wanted to do Karate but honestly couldn't afford it.

I envy you :) - i've only signed up to the two she does because she enjoys them so much, especially Rainbows. I don't want to commit her to too much because naturally as she gets older she will drop things too.

So on her two days with activities I WFH and do the school runs, so she is home at 3.30pm and then we go back out again. We're usually home by 6pm.
If I was to commit her to the drama/dance class, that is on an office day and she is usually picked up by after school care/childminding service and I would have to pick her up from there and take her to the drama club. Again, we'd be home by about 6.15pm the latest.

In reception we did swimming only. And added ballet in Y1. But our school day is long (out of the house at 7.15 ish) and my kids were tired when they got home. They’d often nap in the car on the way at home.

sounds like your DD might be ok with one other activity. It is however, from an adult perspective, one more thing to think about. More uniform to buy and wash, another rushed dinner, less time at home for house stuff and homework, more rehearsals and shows that mean time away from work etc. I think the impact on you could be as big as the impact on her

Mine does 4 because most of them overlap with his big sister's stuff (Gymnastics/Tennis/Athletics) or are something he's done for a long time (music).

He's also nicer to be around if he's had more exercise ...

In year 1.

She does- rainbows. Karate- can be once or twice a week. Beavers- scout group

1

Eldest did just one for the first term then gradually added more on as the year went on. They were very tired when adjusting to reception.
DC2 started off with 3 because they are tagging along for DC1 activities and just one year younger so may as well take part rather than sit and watch with me.

Zero! To be honest, she's exhausted after school and I don't think she'd cope (plus is in bed by 6.30 - she is August born though). She has a swimming lesson at the weekend, and I'm sure she'd love to do a dance class but I don't think she's quite ready for an after-school activity yet.

This is a worry also.
Rainbows do a lot of events and trips at various weekends and navigating those are hard enough too!
The drama club stressed there is absolutely no obligation after the free trial, I guess it can't hurt just to see what it's like.

DD did 5 activities after school in reception, though 3 of them were on the school site (so I just picked her up a bit later, 4.30pm, and we'd be home by 4.50pm). She didn't do any wraparound care and none of the activities had any further commitments like with Rainbows. She has always had lots of energy and has never been in bed before 8.30 so it was fine for her.

Take her for the trial, and see if she prefers Rainbows or Drama.

I'm a big fan of Guides/Scouts but they usually get very similar activities in after school care at the younger levels.

Just one and really that's pushing it because he's always tired and grumpy that evening. Also in after school club 2x a week.

Sounds like your dd is thriving so if you can fit it in around work, and afford it, then why not!

My ds does none, but he is at the younger end of the year by far and finds the school day tiring still. So I wouldn't want to add anything else for him.

Mine does 4 but they are all clubs where he is either collected by the club from school or they are at the school - so they work in terms of childcare. Ones where I get him and take him somewhere = none

Swimming lesson once a week. She's far too tired out by starting school to do anything else and she isn't in any wrap around care. She comes home, has her dinner and flops on the sofa, bless her.

They get less tired as they get used to being in school, judging by my older child. This first term is a big adjustment for them.

Honestly, at the moment I can't keep her up past 6:30pm. She pretty much turns into The Hulk in terms of temper/tired behaviour!

Swimming after school and dance class Saturday morning. I was going to sign her up for rainbows after school too but she's just too tired I don't want to push it.
She's a June birthday so still a young 4.

DS wouldn't do what he does if he hadn't been schlepping to his older sister's clubs. If they're in something at the same time I can nab some exercise or get some work done...

I'd do the free trial and see tbh

@CupofChar2345

Sorry to hear this.

How much is karate out of interest?

Its £40 a year insurance. Then £80 for the a uniform and £50 a month per child. I have 2 that are a close. They either both do something or neither. I looked into Karate particularly because I have little girls and I want them to know they can defend themselves. It will happen but just not now. "This time next year we'll be millionaires" 🤣

@WowOK that is crazy ! so expensive!

It is but not as bad as baby swimming lessons. We didn't do them either. They were £18 per lesson for 30 minutes.

Wow, that is so expensive