before and after school clubs...please advise!

[EveWasFramed72]

I am pretty sure some of you have this experience, and I could just use a little reassurance.

I am going back to work next week after a few years of being home. My DS starts Reception in September, and DD will go to a nursery class in the same school. Because I will be working full time, they will both be enrolled in the before/after school club.

I feel really awful about this...they are going from never being in all day school to suddenly all day plus. I've been mostly home (I did some work experience two years ago, then was studying at uni this past year), and when I wasn't, they were looked after by their Auntie, who they adore. So, I'm just feeling like I'm dropping them into a huge change without much warning...because I start work well before they do, there is no time for them to get used to school before they start spending a really long day there.

So, what has been your experience with this?? I know in my head that they will be fine, but my heart is worried...

When DS first started reception I had an au pair, but she had to go at Christmas

Since then he is in after school club and he adores it

I suspect they will be shattered and you may not see much awake of them for the first few weeks during the weeks, but they will find their rhythm and love it

I am sure they will be fine.

It's not ideal, I won't deny, but then neither is having no money due to not working.

My DS2's lovely teacher next yr (and DD's last yr) has her DD in breakfast and ASC every day and she seems to be just fine. More people use the clubs some days rather than every day but there are some who have to do what this teacher does.

One thing I wd say is that you might struggle to connect with the school and parents etc - this might not bother you! - I went from picking up more or less every night for about 6 yrs to, due to a job change, picking up at 4pm after a short spell in ASC and missing the whole mums at the gate thing. Some would say this was good! but I must say I was missing my pals and the chat.

Like I say tho, needs must; I need to work and the work I was able to get has a 3.30pm finish.

But if you were able at all to negotiate even one early finish a week - say 3pm on Friday if you came in early? then I think it would help, not yr DDs as much as you.

HTH

I meant to add that my later finish job is in a school so I don't work holidays - now that's an upside!

They will be fine. My two go to breakfast club and after school most days too. This has been since both were in reception. They have a great time there and get to play with their friends.

In fact the odd ones out are the ones who don't go to breakfast club and after school. One of my DS2s friends (kindergarten 1) now goes to both at least once a week as a 'treat' even though he doesn't need to because he feels left out!!

This is so helpful, thank you all!

Clary: I am going back to work as a school librarian, so though my holidays will coincide with my DCs, my work times don't, and I have to stay for the whole of the work day(no leaving early). I'm not too worried about missing out on the school gates thing...I want my DCs to make friends, but I've got great friends from my recent uni experience and I know I will have connections at work.

dreamteamgirl and quantacosta I'm glad to hear that your DCs love theirs...I am really hoping that because this is their first school experience, both of my DCs will just think it's normal for a school day to run so long! I think I'm just overthinking things too much...and being nervous about my own new job, and precious about my babies going to school with strangers! :)

Thanks for the reassurance!

Eve I wasn't thinking so much about you making friends at school gate (tho that's nice too), just that it's a lot easier to get on with what's happening at school if you are able to pick up or drop off every so often.

I am meanign things like playdates (hell on earth to organise with one of DS2's old pals who was always at ASC so we never saw mum) and just general school chit chat.

It's fine tho - you just need to make sure you are super-keen with the communication eg sign up for any email or text alerts from school, read newsletter well, look at website etc.

I would also consider getting involved with PTA or whatever else there is to make sure you feel connected with the school. Hope it goes well!

my children have attended nursery since the age of 5mths 7am-6.30pm and have been fine. My ds1 (august born) then went to ASC and he still is fine.