What to do after 3.15 and out of term time? Post Reply

[Genie]

Hello all
My LO will be starting at Newton Prep's nursery in September 2014, aged 3, after being at a day nursery that provided full days care. Both parents work full time, and am wondering what to do for childcare in the afternoons and out of term? Are there after-school groups, or nurseries that look after children out of term? Would I find out about these through the school, or am I on my own? Do parents organise things informally? I see that some nannies/childminders advertise care around school hours, but sending him to Newton Prep is already stretching us financially and I don't think we can afford personal childcare on top of that. Surely others are in the same position? Any suggestions?
thanks!

[supermummy]

i think the reality is that choosing a nursery school as opposed to full time day care does end up being more expensive for that very reason - you end up paying for a nanny for the other hours. i think most working parents either keep their children in day care (which are still supposed to follow the early years curriculum) or they have some kind of nanny/au pair arrangement to cover the rest of the childcare.

I am not aware of any nurseries who provide holiday only care and holiday clubs eg playball tend to be only a few hours here or there so you still need a nanny/au pair to do drop off and rest of the day etc.

Your best option financially is probably an au pair if you have space or finding a nanny share where you can add on extra days in holidays. A part time nanny is also an option if you can find someone willing to do limited hours - we did and then offered her extra hours to make it full time care in the hols.

im afraid i dont think there is an easy and cheap answer but hope that helps!

[Genie]

Yes, it does help - thanks so much for your reply! At least I have all summer to try to find a solution...

[Talkman]

Don't go back to work. Be there for your child at least until they go to school.

[Tillyjimjams]

Very constructive Talkman, not everyone has that luxury.

[Nims]

Talkman, I have no choice - I have to go back to work for financial reasons. The mortgage won't pay itself, and somehow we have to get food on the table. My husband can't support us solely on his salary.

If you have the luxury to do this yourself, then well done you. But some of us have to work hard to live the life we do and to support our family. We're not all benefit scroungers in this country.

Basically, if I had the choice, I would choose to be a stay at home mum. I am sure I am one of many in the same boat.

[RubyMum]

Talkman - what a thoughtful and helpful piece of advice you have given all the working mums! Thanks!

[lorrwa]

There are nanny type people out there who work all sorts of flexible hours, for all sorts of reasons.

We once had a mature uni student who picked the children after school, took them home, gave supper. Then her uni holidays matched our school hols pretty much so she looked after them then too. We found her and equally flexible her successor on gumtree. You might find on this site too.

good luck

[Genie]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I sort of assumed the school would offer an afterschool club, I guess, but I see I will have to sort out my own thing. I don't have a spare bedroom, so au pairs won't work, but a uni student might be viable, or perhaps we can stretch to a nanny.

Wikipedia defines an internet troll: "a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a forum, chat room, or blog), either accidentally or with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response."
They are best ignored.

[Bubs]

Another option is to share an after school nanny with another family (from nursery), we did this when our first was little and it worked so well. It was like an extended playdate for my daughter as she loved the other little boy so much, and it was cost effective for both sets of parents.
Susan (registrar at Newton) might be able to send a mailshot round to other parenbts asking if they'd be interested, on your behalf - directing them to you if they are.

[Genie]

Thanks! That sounds like a very good idea. I'm glad that the school might be able to help - I wasn't sure of the protocol of asking for personal assistance in this, as they seem rather, um, "professional".