Breakfast club versus childminder - school decision needed

[noblegiraffe]

Would you go for a school that was within walking distance, for which you'd need to organise a childminder for all drop-offs and some pick-ups (for the pick-ups I'd be able to do, being able to walk would be great as parking is a nightmare), or one driving distance away that had breakfast and after-school provision? Both schools are 'good' and both I'd be happy to send my child to so it's really about logistics.

have you done the maths?

ie cost of petrol weekly + cost of asc = x

cost of cm weekly = y

(google Family Information Service YourCounty, follow links to childcare, then childminders, to pull up a list of cms, often the hourly rate is listed for each cm, to get a general idea of costs. sorry for longwinded exp)

Personally I would go for the breakfast club one. At least with the clubs if someone if off sick they have staff to cover it whereas with a childminder you would be stuck in case of illness.

I use brekkie club and consider it easier and cheaper.
But quite afew use childminder for pickup as works out cheaper as afterschool club not late enough.

I think the answer really depends on the quality of the Breakfast club/Aftercare provision.

Ours is excellent, and DS has been attending 5 days a week since reception (Aftercare only - I don't need Breakfast club). There is a really good choice of toys/games and free choice or structured activities. DS has had the opportunity to play with children from all different year groups when, in Reception, they were very much isolated within their own playground at playtimes.

The children get to choose, a week in advance, what the tea menu would be for the next week. They get a light tea - such as soup/bread and beans on toast. 2 1/2 hours care costs £7 which is substantially cheaper than a childminder and siblings get over 50% discount.

They also provide full day care for Inset days which, as a teacher, is invaluable.

I think, however, that the quality of Aftercare is very variable, and I would recommend talking to the Aftercare co-ordinator to see what is offered. Also, I think some children would prefer a 'quieter' environment when very little.

For me it was a no-brainer - particularly as the school is opposite my house whereas the nearest childminder was 1/2 mile away (and I don't drive).

As well as the excellent points that others have made I'd also consider whether you will potentially need flexibility (i.e. to start earlier or later than normal) and if so whether the school club or CM could provide this. Also think about holidays - does the school club run in holidays or would you have to sort out different care. If it does run, does it run every week?

It also depends on the CM you choose- there are CMs that pick up at DD's school that pick up all similar aged children from the same school that know each other - so it's almost like going home with your friends! If the CM has more diverse ages or picks up from different schools you will have a different dynamic (not saying this is good or bad, just something to consider).

I agree that the specific dynamics of each setting are the deciding factors.

My dc's school uses the after school club of another local school - it's a bit of a trek for little ones and very average provision. No way would my oldest have been able to cope with a new environment/new people after school when she was in YR and it would be a very big ask for her now in Y1.

Our school has a very good breakfast club, which we use from time to time and we have a child minder who picks up after school/nursery. Our child minder works with 3 other members of her family, meaning that if someone is ill etc someone else can always cover. Being reliant on one person was always one of the big downs of a cm for me.

I opted for the 2nd and now kids moan they want to walk to school. Would rather get a house closer now then pull them out if school.

I actually use both - a childminder for before school (as I need childcare from 7.30 am) and after school care club after school.

The childminder is great for a quiet 'family' atmosphere before school and she makes certain that the children actually eat a really good breakfast before they go into school. I need her every day for the same number of hours - and the other great benefit I get from it is that she is my 'third contact' should one of the children be taken ill at school [both my husband and i commute long distances].

The after school club is great because it is so flexible. Some days I need it for the full 2.5 hours, some days I need it for 30 minutes, and for various reasons that can change every week. It's also located in the school, which is closer than the childminder is to key after-school activities - mainly dance for DD, but also music lessons, football etc. Also, if the children want to do any 'after school clubs run by the school' (e.g. cross country, school football team, choir, etc etc) they just roll along to the after school care once the school-run club is over. The childminder, on the other hand, only does 1 pick-up from school because she has other mindees to consider.

Have you thought about what you'll do in the holidays? My own school does cover a lot of school hols with a holiday club, but my own children's doesn't do any.

And will you need childcare on training days? Neither my school or theirs runs childcare on training days.

My kids loved their childminder and it was very convenient for training days (I don't need childcare in the school hols as I'm off myself). I liked the fact that they were cared for in a home environment as being in school from 8 til gone 5 can be too much for some kids.

Dropping your child off at school yourself can be nice and convenient, and yes they have more staff so you are less likely to be told that they can't have your child if they are sick.

P.s. You say it's all about the logistics.

No catchment area issues then?

Also, how subscribed is the after school club? Imposible to get a place at ours as there are only 30 spaces in total!

And when your DC make friends it would be lovely to walk together when you do pick-up, and also easier when their friends come over after school/your DC to them.

The closer one, simply because it is closer, and all the things that helps as they get older and want to attend afterschool clubs or you are going back to things in the evenings or collecting from friends when they have gone to tea, or need to be helped out by another parents when - for a myriad of reasons - you are out of action / can't get there one night or for a month if something goes wrong in your life.

Agree it depends on the CM and on the Brek club to some extent - the brek club my dcs attend(ed) if fantastic, but quite a lot don't actually do anything with the children ~ don't know if that matters to you or not.

I think the training days and holidays issue is a big one - great to have a good realtionship with a CM then.

Thanks for all your thoughts, it has really been helpful. Clearly I need to put a lot more thought into this as I've no idea how many places there are in the after school club or costs or what they do or anything like that.

DS already has a childminder but she doesn't do school runs, so INSET days and other ad-hoc days will be covered, DC2 who is due soon will also go to her (I'm a part time teacher who works very odd hours and she is fabulously flexible in a way that I think a childminder who does school runs couldn't be.) so it really would just be for pick ups and drop offs.

Catchment isn't an issue, I think, both schools have pretty much said that if we put them as first choice we'll most likely get in as they take children from much further away (I know, we're lucky to have a choice!).

I hadn't considered the playdates after school and walking home with friends part. That sounds like it might be quite important on the days I can do the pickup.

Also, at what age would children be reasonably allowed to walk home on their own?

I've started letting my DD walk home and she is the last year in primary but if its cold or looks rainy I tend to pick her up.

Would you let an older child walk home with a younger child? I've got memories of me and my siblings walking to primary school on our own, but I think things were different back then!

No I wouldn't personally.

I have DD1 who is 10 and started to walk home and then DD2 & DD3 who are 8 and 4 and I would never give DD1 the responsibility of looking after either if them.

Hope you work it all out soon.