What are my options for before and after school childcare?

[LadyCaro]

Having a last minute panic about school choice. I have 2 preferred schools, but with one being a real favourite. Trouble is, the less preferred one has a breakfast club that starts at an earlier, and much better time for us. Hubby and I have long commutes and I'm not sure exactly what pre/post childcare we'll be using.
My ideal would to be able to find someone (rent a granny?) who will take son to school, and collect him/help him with homework/take him to after school clubs/give him tea (before I/hubby get home at 6). Then in holidays, do the same but with kids holiday clubs. Does this sort of person exist? Would my only option be a full time nanny (can't really afford that). I'm not sure if I love the idea of a childminder, nor being in a club. I don't want to make the school choice based on the wrap around childcare, otherwise I don't feel I'm doing what's best for him.
Do I just accept that a childminder's the way forward (and do they take kids from 7.30?!). Or are clubs the way to go? Would I ever find someone akin to a nanny willing to do these odd hours?

I take my children to a childminder for breakfast at 7.30 am. They love it there - they join in a family breakfast (no other mindees arrive that early) and have a relaxed breakfast / clean teeth / chat start to the day.

They go to after school club after school - at which time they are much more in the mood for the busy, active, lots of people and lots of toys atmosphere of a school-based club. Also, there is opportunity for homework, lots of after school sports clubs (which DS does) and total flexibility about e.g. picking a child up early on some days to take to dance lessons or whatever, either by me or by whoever I am lift-sharing with that term. The childminder has all of her mindees to consider and so isn't able to e.g take DD to ballet or DS to football training, and she charges a flat rate for a whole evening including meal whereas after school club calculates charges to the nearest 30 minutes.

We find the mixture works well.

I couldn't find a childminder in my area that will take children before 8am so had no choice but the school wrap around care

I would prefer them to be in a more family based setting but unfortunately I need to pay the bills and in my line of work relatively early starts are part of the deal

they also go to the after school club as this gives them the opportunity to attend after school clubs (dancing/rugby/netball etc) -childminders will not accomodate after school activities generally.

Think what you are asking for is a Nanny.

A child in DD's class has a nanny that does all you are wanting.

A cm will do drop off and pick up but unrealistic to expect them to ferry him to different activites and clubs - they will usually have their own children or a few mindees.

Options are usually nanny, childminder caring for child in their home, or before/afterschool club.

Also realistically for homework you will need nanny or you to do it with child eg listen to them read. Not realistic to expect a 4/5 yr old to sit and do it in aftercare or with a cm with a few mindees. I know that is what parents who work late in DD's class struggle with the most - some do it in the morning instead.