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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Is after school club too much in reception?

21 replies

AdamantEve · 04/08/2015 09:51

My 4 yr old DD starts reception next month and with my DP and I both working full time we planned to put her in breakfast club and after school club. It is £10 per day altogether which is very good value I think. We also pay full time nursery for DS and so my entire wage is technically cancelled out by childcare costs although DP and I obviously pool our finances.

To the point! I'm having a last minute wobble that DD will be too exhausted by school and after school club to 6pm will be too much. But a childminder is quite a bit more expensive and we're really stretched as it is.

Has anyone used after school care from reception and their child coped fine?

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Crystal2002 · 04/08/2015 09:53

The first term I didn't don any after school clubs my daughter was exhausted.

After Christmas she started asking if she could stay later so tried her and found she actually came out a lot calmer than when I picked her up at the normal school pick up time ...

neverunderstandmen · 04/08/2015 09:57

DD did afterschool club every day from reception onwards. She loves it and didn't struggle at all. I make sure to have reasonable set bedtime and chilled weekends was the key to managing tiredness

FlightofFancy · 04/08/2015 13:15

My DS has been to after school club all year in reception - working full time we've had no choice! He's been fine - tired towards Christmas and the summer hols, but no more so than friends. It does depend a bit what they do at after school club - his is at a local nursery, so has a quiet corner where they can lie down if they're exhausted, and seems quite focused on doing sitting down/colouring/craft type activities - it only caters for up to end of infants, and obviously is used to needs of younger children.

I'm actually planning to move him to a more active one when a place comes up, as I don't think he gets enough running around outdoors time, but that's as he's getting older (and particularly as school becomes more focused on sitting learning).

mamaslatts · 04/08/2015 13:18

Our after school club won't take them until they are 5 so you might need to check your school's policy. DS2 is a June baby so it meant another year of childminder's fees.

addictedtosugar · 04/08/2015 13:20

She'll be fine if its a good after school. You don't really have much choice. She needs childcare post school, and at that point, I think the quality is the most important thing.

Original poster

AdamantEve · 04/08/2015 20:43

Oh I feel a lot happier reading these responses!
I am feeling confident about the quality of the care although will get a better feel for it when she actually starts, so that doesn't concern me.

As said above, we don't have much choice so will have to give it a go and see how she gets on.

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SpottyTeacakes · 04/08/2015 20:46

I think she'll be fine. I'm jealous though as our school doesn't offer any wraparound care which means I can't work!

Dd had to go half days for the first half term as they wouldn't allow full days. It was a nightmare and she settled in much better once they allowed her to go all day.

AalyaSecura · 04/08/2015 20:49

This was us last year and it was fine. With the unexpected side benefit that DS has made friends with lots of older children in the school who seem to really look out for him and enjoy chatting to him. He loves knowing lots of the older children.

Pico2 · 04/08/2015 20:55

The only thing I'd be wary of (and not just for a reception aged child) is if they are feeding your child her dinner. As school lunches can be light on fruit/veg that actually gets eaten and light on protein as it's expensive, I'd be concerned about what was served at the after school club for dinner in case it is similar.

starlight2007 · 04/08/2015 20:56

My Ds was not like most he was absolutely hyper after school.. so not all children are exhausted...Also I am a child minder.. When the little ones start school you have to judge them as they arrive..Some of them want to sit chill out stories..Other are happy to play. After school club will be used to the same too.

Lightattheend · 04/08/2015 20:57

Used after school club until 6pm from reception and throughout school. Both DCs loved it. If they were tired they could sleep in book corner (they did read in book corner too.) My salary never used to cover all the childcare, but now I earn more and the childcare is less. Win-win in my opinion!

Bitlost · 04/08/2015 21:27

My dd was absolutely fine and she is a late summer born. Our club is very good and cheap. I wouldn't hesitate if I were you!

AnyPostToday · 04/08/2015 21:33

Thank you for starting this thread, was having a huge wobble about this myself. Lots of supportive messages.

tobysmum77 · 04/08/2015 22:13

I didn't notice the so-called universal reception exhaustion with dd, it depends on the child. She'll be fine

CandOdad · 05/08/2015 18:25

Both ours have been at breakfast club and afterschool club since day one. They now complain if they DON'T go.

tricot39 · 06/08/2015 09:58

We used after school club but I collect about 4.30. Ds really enjoys it and it is very sociable allowing children of different ages socialise together. I think 8-6 are long hours for reception but lots of people do manage that. Give it a try and see how you get on. You can always juggle things later if it doesn't suit. Good luck

Millymollymama · 06/08/2015 12:04

Lots of children did an extended day at my DD2s prep school and they definitely were not all tired. Both my DDs were full of life at 4! As long as the provision suits, then you will be fine. No, not all children are exhausted by school. Only the ones who sleep a lot!

MakeTeaNotWar · 06/08/2015 12:32

DD is the very youngest in her school with an end of August birthday. She's just finished reception and has been doing breakfast & after school club 3 days a week without any problem and has made lots of friends in the process

Inkymess · 07/08/2015 20:34

Both mine had no issue with it. Go at 7.45 pick up before 6. They loved it

pointythings · 08/08/2015 22:13

She'll be fine. When DD1 started school I had her with a childminder because there was no after school club and I had no end of hassles with the CM taking term time holidays and my DD being dumped with a (not very nice) colleague at short notice. So I moved and DD2 went to after school club from her second term (she did forced half days for an entire term, but that's a whole other thread!). She loved it, her big sis was there, they had a corner where the little ones could crash if they needed, they got food and had lots of fun.

Only1scoop · 08/08/2015 22:17

Dd was tired when she first started reception she did after school twice a week. Loved it.

I personally think breakfast club ....then after school club everyday is a little hardcore to start with.

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