Fitting in work when DC start school??

[heidiplait]

My question is pretty simple really. What do other people do about work when their DC start school? The primary I'm looking at has a breakfast club, which is fine, but their after school club is completely full - and the school day finishes at 3.15. I'm a lone parent, which doesn't help, and have no family nearby for pick-ups etc.

I know it sounds stupid, but I'm new to all this and cannot fathom how people actually manage to go to work. At the moment, he goes to nursery 3 days a week and I work around this but this will obviously all have to change when he starts next September.

What do other people do? Will he be too old for a childminder? Even if I could find someone, can or do they do school pick-ups? Are there any other options?

I would really love any advice. Thank you.

Would have said the same as Tiggy. Lots of CM pick up and our school has it's own ASC and other private ASCs pick up too. Tons of mums with no family childcare work FT

Childminders seem to be one of the most practical options. I have found someone through childcare.co.uk website and personal recommendations from people who is doing a post school pick up and care till 6pm. She will also be able to manage half term breaks and I shall use up annual leave for vacations. I hope it all works..fingers crossed. Moving on from nursery is a big change for DS but also for DH and me. And I am stressing out about it all working seamlessly as it did at nursery..but other mummies have assured me it does for them..so...here goes. does that help?

I heard that there are some childminders who prefer to do only after school pick-ups as they get the rest of the day free and there's less Ofsted paperwork.

We are in the same situation OP, and really struggled to find a CM with any space as there's a massive shortage around here. Huge gap in the market too for off-site after school clubs which were v common where we used to live.

Not sure it'll get you anywhere particularly but have a moan at your local councillor too about the lack of provision. It seems the shortage of school places has been addressed (partially) but nobody thought about the extended hours provision.

First stop, ask at your Nursery, if it's near to your home / school - a lot of Nurseries do out of school care for up to 8 yr olds.
Then ask about Childminders - of course they aren't too old. Ask at the school office if they know of anyone who already picks up from the school. Look up/Google 'Family Information Service' and then find the one for your local area and speak to them - they keep a list of all child care facilities in the Local Authority.

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies and advice. I'm basically moving from where I am now for when DS starts school - new life! - and I did have a look for childminders in the new area but they seemed to be thin on the ground. Probably why the after school club is full!! I'll try childcare.co.uk though, thank you for the link. Maybe there are some other options - where I love now there are child carers who come you your own home and look after the child there. Just worried as I literally will have nobody to rely on or ask. Thanks again

Someone who is paid to come to your house to look after your child is a nanny, and as such you would need to set yourself up as their employer.

After-school nannies do exist, but just a heads up about the employment thing!

but won't some of those currently using the ASC move on , so you can go on a waiting list . There may be other external ASCs which pick up and take to a centre often run by a nursery, charities such as YMCA or a children's centre.

YY to waiting lists. And ring round CMs who are full and local nurseries, who may do wraparound or know who else does. Loads of CMs do wraparound andhe is definitely not too old.

Longer term you can do tit for tat swaps with friends, but this is difficult when you've just moved in.

Is it possible for you to flex your work hours and do more days with an earlier finish? I found work more accommodating than I expected, but it is a difficult and expensive option if you have younger DC too.

Work has agreed I work from home one day a week, and start early and finish early one day so can pick up the kids from school two days a week which helps and my actual hours have not reduced. Though I am part time anyway, I do 22 hours a week. Plus childminder who picks up kids from school and after school club. Childminder was great until DS was 8/9 and he then transitioned gradually to after school club. DD still very happy at childminders at 8.