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Reply ID 7752

My daughters school already does pre and after school clubs. She did it for a year but found it too exhausting...even though there was only play involved in the after hours club. I would rather she had a child minder if possible.

Reply ID 7767

Mill Mead offers loads of after school and lunch hour clubs but are careful to only tailor them to certain age groups so as not to overtire the children. The really little kids do gentler activities -they can join a lunch hour club, or an after school story club, and the clubs are limited so that they can only do 1 or 2 a week. there are no after school clubs open to Reception children in the first 2 terms because the teachers feel that school alone is enough for them at this stage. The older they get, the more clubs that are available to them, and the more active they become.

Reply ID 7769

It's nice to have clubs for kids but they are no substitute for parental care.

Reply ID 7770

That's true, but perhaps it's how the clubs are sold to the kids. I'm fortunate to be a full-time mum, but my kids love doing the after school clubs! I think if they knew they had no choice, it might be a different story. Mill Mead has separately-run unit to provide childcare between 8am and 6pm - perhaps this is what this thread is referring to. The children attending "The Meads" can join in the after school clubs with non-Meads kids, or just chill out. I think it's important for children to have the choice of being alone in their own space if they want to be, and this is where kids who are in the school system for longer than a school day really miss out. This theory is quite closely related to the one i posted on the thread about teenagers earlier.

Reply ID 7774

I agree 100%, I'm all for clubs where kids can develop an interest and enhance their social skills. But at the end of the day it's Mum or Dad they want when their tired or upset and no club can ever be a substitute. Forced attendance will eventually lead to resentment.

Reply ID 7782

When I was last on maternity leave my older daughter complained "its really boring going home after school, I'd rather go to the after school club". I think a lot of it is just what the child gets used to. After all many children, including mine, went to day nursery all day before transferring to the school environment where days are much shorter.

Reply ID 7798

Ours did a full nursery day also...that's why we were a bit surprised when she reacted so badly to after school club. May have something to do with the older kids being there.