3-5 year old after school care in the UK?

Question

I am in the process of adopting a child with my partner here in the UK. We both hope for a 3-5 year old but paniced today over money and after school care.

Does anyone know of what after school care there is or what is necessary for a child of this age?

We are both teachers and will have loads of time to spend with the child but are just panicing over the 2 hours before we get home from work!

The adoption process has told us a lot about children and their behaviour issues/ need for support but not a great deal about how to balance the time after school and when we get home.

Does the UK have any schemes that would help us?

If anyone can help, that would be great.

Answer 1

I work in an After School Club. They are great we pick the children up from school, take them to our place and give them a snack n they do great activities, such as sports, computers, dancing and games. Get in touch with your local council, they should be able to help you out!

Answer 2

if the child is 3-5 years of age won't they still be at nursery ? if so most ot these don't close until after 6pm.

if the child is older and attendind preschool or nursery school why do you find out about child minders in your area? if you know which school you are going to let the child attend find out about minders that do school pick ups from that school, if you teach at that school even better still you can ask the children.

i know when i was daily minding the kids knew who i was and head hunted me when their parents needed after school care.

Also look on your council website for registared child minders and after school provisions.

Answer 3

Let me get one thing straight...when u have a child through adoption, you are meant to treat it like your own biological child, right?

So there is no harm at all in getting your child looked after when you are at work.

If this was in the parenting section, and it was a mum asking if staying at home is better that going out to work, there would be all sorts of different opinions!

You carry on....whats the point of cutting down your hours, when eventually u will have to work full time and use an after school club anyway!

If you do this straight away, then the child will come to accept that this is how thind are, instead of being used to u picking him up from school, and then things changing later!

Good luck, and your child will be lucky to have you!

Answer 4

What is more important to you, your jobs or having achild?  I would have thought you would want to give this 'unwanted' child all the love and security you can.  Also I know from other adoption and fostering sites you get paid maternity leave for adopting a child, surely you have found that much out, you could also combine any holiday leave with that and so extend the period of time.  Your husband should also be entitled to the same.  If you have to work later on there are plenty of schemes, just do some research.  I myself would go part-time for a few years and enjoy this little one while it is a little one, time flies past so quickly.  Good luck in your adoption process it is a long thought provoking journey, not to be taken lightly.

Answer 5

I would say make every effort to be there when your new child finishes school, at least for 6 months until the little one is settled. Is it possible for you to speak to your head teacher to arrange cover for the last two hours. Or maybe you could work mornings only. Adopting parents have the right to time off from work the same as maternity leave.

Answer 6

as you work with kids all day you will know that they need a lot of looking after and lots of love - these kids have been moved about too much the last thing you should be doing is dumping them into childcare - why do you want them if you cant give up a few years of your life to look after them - whats the most important, your career or the kids?

Answer 7

no

Answer 8

A child of that age I would make sure I was there to collect them,even if it meant working shorter hours,I wouldn't be paying someone to do that.Later on when there older like 12 and they want to travel home with friends.

Answer 9

i think one of you should reschedule so as to be there when he gets home from school

Answer 10

How can you be teachers and not know about after school care?

A lot of primary schools have after school clubs which will cater for your need. Ours cost £2.50 an hour.

Your social worker should be looking at these issues with you and helping  you think about options.

Answer 11

Adopted children have been passed about enough they need stability and a 1 to1 relationship with their carrers.A lot of problems today are caused by dumping kids on other people to look after them.they need a sense of belonging  not of seperation.If you can`t give 100% ,don`t do it.don`t mix your own needs for a child up with a childs needs. Good luck.