working when DC start school

[giddly]

First of all I'm very aware how controversial the SAHM / WOHM debate is and I really don't want this thread to be part of this. My question is much more specific.
I went back to work when DD1 was 8 months old 2-3 days week, which has been fine. At the time we didn't really rely on the money, but about 6 months ago DH was made redundant, so things have changed and I now work 3-4 days a week (partly freelance which is why it varies). I'd always assume I'd start to up my hours when the DDs started school, but now DD1 is due to start in Sept I actually feel more uncomfortable about her being in child care after school than I have done for the last few years, and I'm thinking about trying to actually cut my hours (depending a bit on our finances / situation with DH). I don't anticipate she'll have any particular problems, but I think they all find it quite stressful for the first year or so, and very tiring. For those of you who had children in childcare before starting school and then carried on when they started, how did you find it? Did you feel the "needed" you more during the first months / years at school, or am I overanalysing things and being a bit precious? I'd have to look for a different childcare arrangement to the one we have now, but would be looking for CM / nanny rather than after school club.

Bump anyone?

Hi

I work part time (3 days + evenings). My DS went from nursery to school and to be honest didn't find it too bad as he was doing quite long days at nursery for 3 days. I took a few days off when he started school so that I could take him and pick him up but after that we got an au pair who does pick up and takes him back home and gives him tea and does homework etc. I personally would not worry too much about it (although I admit I was rather stressed about it at the time!).
You could get a live out au pair who could cover a few hours in the afternoon so that at least your DD is at home being looked after. I don't think my son needed me more when he started school - he sometimes wants me to help him with English homework but then the au apair is not English.
Not sure if this answers your question?

Thanks, that's really helpful and reassuring. Unfortunately no room for a live in au pair though.

If you don't have room for live in au pair then try for live out au pair i.e. someone local who is happy to work for few hours every afternoon. It depends on where you live of course. I originally found a local lady whose children were at university and she wanted something to do - she drove and had her own car and sure she didn't have nay formal childcare qualifications but then she'd had children. Unfortunately it fell through as she decided she wanted longer hours. But a friend of mine as a live out au pair who is French and lives local (doesn't drive) to them and is a student - she picks DS up from school on bus and takes him home and does tea etc. In fact she finds she does a better job than her previous qualified nanny.
Good luck with it all.

Dd was very shy and struggling a bit at nursery so when she turned 3 (and we happened to move) I switched her to a CM 3 days/week. She settled very well with the Cm who now takes her after school from reception. I think it has made all the difference having continuity of childcare during the transition to school - which was my intention.

Other dc have gone straight from nursery to school with no problems - but I knew dd would find that hard. Could you set up the new childcare with a CM in advance so that dc is settled before school?

CM is also potentially more restfull if they are tired - although dd, a July baby, has never been particularly tired after school.

I'm glad you have asked this because I have been thinking the same thing. I have time off for the first two weeks whilst she settles in, but really unsure what to do after that. She is in nursery at the moment, which she loves and is eager to get on with school so I think the actual transition will be ok. I just worry that afterschool club is like an extension of school whereas a CM would be more homely - it is hard isn't it?