Need advice regarding After School Care

AZ123

Hi Mamas,
Next year DS1 will be going to kindergarten. However, I'm having to figure out my work schedule for next year now and need your advice.

What are your opinions on the after school care program? DS1 would go 3x per week. I'm wondering if I should do the school's aftercare program, send him to the YMCA where he can do swim and other classes after school or arrange for him to go home with a SAHM from school. What do you think is best?

How tired are the kids after school?

neverblushed

My son's elementary school has an after-care program in the school that is run by an outside contractor.  In addition to normal aftercare, it covers kids on teacher in-service days and half days.  It is fairly expensive, but kids who go there seem to like it.  There is dedicated homework time right after school, time on the playground, then a mix of activities.  It's open until 6:30 and costs about $500/month per kid.  There's no before care.

I pay my next door neighbor (a SAHM whose youngest kid is now in college) to watch my kids before and after school because I actually need more before care than after care, and she's cheaper than the school program.  This arrangement has worked well for me.  I pay her only for the days I need her, and it runs me about $400/month for both my kids.

When both my kids started full day school (K for my son; 1st for my daughter) they were really tired in the evenings during the fall.  It got better by Thanksgiving, but the fall was always rough for both of them.

ccm1203

I have heard great things about the Y program.  We have our kids go to after school sitter partly because the Y program wasn't available for after school when DS started Kindergarten.  I recently checked into the program and it would cost a lot more than our current sitter.  As far a K, DS wasn't really tired but DD was.

Littlejen22

I would do at school because it is one location which is easiest on kids.

notkateanymore

I would go with the school program if it's good. That way you don't have to rely on another SAHM to help you...what if her kids are sick, etc. That would stress me out.

Anlg

Our son goes to after school care. He likes it a lot. Do you have a website you can check? Ours does and it provides the fee schedule (3, 4 or 5 days per week) and other info.  They don't have the daily activities online but they do snack, circle time, playground and then the activity of the day like Junior gym, "cooking", art, etc. They provide homework help for kids in 1st grade or older. 

 I personally would not like to send him with a SAHM everyday. Like pp said, what if the other child gets sick? You are then left to find care.  

brewcitybride

Totally keep him at the school, way less running around, and he'll be with kids he goes to school with. Our wraparound care has a waiting list, it's highly desirable for working parents!

heather51983

I have my DD going to boys and girls club, they have great rates that are very affordable and are open during all the school breaks when parents need childcare. They go on field trips all over the place, they do before and after care and transport. I notice that my daughter is tired at the beginning of the school year when we are trying to get back on schedule. Good luck with your decision.

jlw2505

I think it really depends on the programs themselves.  At my school the before care/aftercare program is amazing.  Our school has a very high open enrollment rate anda  very high number of students use the program.  My DD goes everyday before school (we are a late start school so DH or I can pick up when school gets out but she goes for 2 1/2 hours each morning).  DD loves it.  She gets breakfast (we pay) each day so she has a small breakfast type snack at home and then a hot breakfast at school about 30 mins before class starts.  They have different areas open for the kids (the gym or they go outside, arts and crafts, games, etc).  You can pay extra for community ed programs that take place at school - things like Spanish, legos, chess, math club and the list goes on and on.  For the older kids they have a homework room.  They off the same programs both before and after school and they provide a snack in the afternoon (or the kids can bring it and they take them to eat in the cafe - not sure how that works).   The program is also open for most school release days and for late start days plus they have an amazing summer program.  The staff to student teacher is great. 

We had considered having the girls bused to the daycare center that we had gone to for the school age program but honestly, the schools program is outstanding and they are with their friends so not worth it.

I would not be comfortable with my child going to the Y and doing swimming there if I was not there.  At least at the Y near me, I don't like the set up of the daycare program as its seems way to accesible to the general public.  I am sure other locations have different set ups that wouldn't bother me as much.

The program runs me about $60 per week per child for before care only (it would be double if I did both before and afterschool care 5 days a week).   (I only have 1 in it this year but next year both DD's will be in the program) for the school year.  Basically it is $12 for either before or after care per day or $24 for both and you only pay for the times you are signed up for and late start days are an $6 for the extra few hours she is there.  For the school release days and summer, I think its $36 a day as they then include all the extras that they do in the summer - lots of field trips and extra projects and in house field trips into the fee plus you are with them all day (they are open 6:45am until 6pm) vs just a few hours before or after school). 

 During the year and summer, you only pay for the days you use unless you signed up and then cancel with less than 2 weeks notice. 

GettinNervous

I do the after-school program vs. the Y for various reasons: She's not on a bus going somewhere else. I don't like any of the local Ys because they are overcrowded and are located out of my way in high-traffic areas. I know a few people who use the Y after care, and they don't like it but it's pretty much the only option around here unless the school offers after care.

I would not have my DD go home with a SAHM, because things will always come up. The mom will go on vacations, will have appointments and can't make it, her kid will be sick, etc. I like a sure thing.

My DD falls asleep every day on the way home from K!