Would it be too much for him?

[Seriouslylovemylife]

Advice needed...
My son's starting Reception in September and I'd like him to continue on taking weekly swimming lessons as in the last 4 years. I've been offered a place in a suitable course starting 5.30 on Wednesdays. So I'd pick him up 3.15 from school, get home before 3.45 and leave home (and ds2 with DH) 4.20 to catch bus and get there on time.
Lesson finishes at 6 , get home about 7. Would it be too much to expect from him?

I think you have to suck it and see, you won't know until he starts how tired school will make him. My DS does weekly swimming after school, he started the lessons the same year as starting Reception, but as school never particularly tired him out it was fine. Do you pay for the swimming lessons on a termly basis? You can always cancel after Christmas if it's clearly too much.

I also think you will need to see how tired he is at the end of the day as at first they are exhausted. My dd did dancing mid week from y1 and this was enough for her. However, if your ds is being gradually engaged in reception you may be ok. Is your school just offering mornings or afternoons for first few weeks or half term? In this case you may find he's fine. Also with it being a part of his normal routine for so long may also be an advantage.

You are right, we have to try it first....but it seems like a very long day. I can pay every half term, I hope I won't need to cancel it (but don't want to push it either). He's not used to travelling by bus (I know , but I hate buses, rather walk or cycle), so he'd def fall asleep on the way home

My DC used to have swimming lessons at 5.30. The main problem was that it was too early to eat before we left and they were starving by the time we got home (even with DH primed to have dinner basically on the table as we walked in the door). And if they've been swimming they need to have a shower / hair washed which means even more to do in the evening unless you can do this at the swimming pool (we've always found we can't as so busy).

I'd suggest changing to another time if you can. Unfortunately the "try it and see" approach comes slightly unstuck as I generally find the DC get more and more tired as term goes on - so what it not too bad in the first couple of weeks becomes a nightmare just before a holiday.

My daughter has them at 5.45pm and is in reception. She has an early tea then goes, then swims and back for bed. Works fine for us.

Unfortunately I can't change it to another time. That's why I'm slightly worried. I'd try to take some sandwiches so he can have some kind of tea around 5 (on the bus and have snacks and fruit on the way home. He is not a great eater, but always hungry after swimming.

At our pool parents of little ones put them in pj's after the lesson but not sure if that would work with the bus.

My DD kept swimming in reception without any issues but a 4pm class.