After school options?

Fireflyaway

My child starts secondary school in September and I'm currently looking for a new full time job.
Some jobs I've applied for have some flexibility with hours but some don't. The issue if have is what to do between my child getting off the bus (about 5pm) and me getting home at 5-6:30 pm if I don't land a flexible role.
My parents offered to collect a couple of times a week but on the other days my idea is 1 - wrap around care at school. At least homework etc will be done. However it will be a 40 min trip each way for me to collect. 2- could I find a child minder / babysitter who would collect and bring back to our house? Doesn't seem plausible for maybe 30 mins though! 3- thought about an au pair but seems overkill and husband not keen on having someone full time in the house.
Any comments / suggestions would be great.

silvercar

Do secondary schools offer wrap around care?

children grow up a lot once they start secondary school, it won't be long before your child feels totally capable of being home alone for an hour or so after school.

jackomdj

It depends upon your child, but would they be ok being left on their own?

My daughter is in year 7 (Oct birthday so an older one) and she comes home, lets herself in and is home alone until 4:45 ish. She has stayed on her own during school holidays, although we made sure she didn't do two days in a row.

I was more worried about it all than she was. However she is a confident, well behaved child and we have friends/neighbours that she can go to or contact if needs be.

Fireflyaway

New school offers wrap around care till 8pm if needed.
Making own way home is not an option. The bus drops off a 5 min car drive away so a taxi home would be needed. Also we are talking about a child who would definitely not feel comfortable being home alone.

gettingtheresometime

Do you have any neighbours that want to earn some pin money?

onomatopoeia99

Mum went back to work full time when I started secondary school, so I had a key and got home first in the evenings. Would it be a disaster for your child to manage on their own for half an hour?

Spendless

Is there a reason why your child wouldn't feel comfortable alone for 30ish minutes eg does he have special needs?

If not, then I'd take this time from now until yr7 starts, to introduce him in steps to being more independent.

5 minutes in a car from the bus dropping off point, how long walking, 30 mins?? Is it possible this could be walked? That would 'use up' some of the time till you got home.

Alternatively if it's a no, for whatever reason, I'd use the school wrap around care and accept that you'll need to pick up after leaving work.

suejb2

A willing school mate on the days the grandparents cannot help.

Fireflyaway

At present we don't know of any other children nearby who go to the same school. Walking would be a pretty long way prob 2 or more miles. I wouldn't feel comfortable allowing that, especially in the dark. There are some dodgy people about.
I'm leaning towards the wrap around care. Feel bit bad it could mean being at school till nearly 7 pm some days but at least homework will be done and can have dinner with school mates so could maybe be fun?!

Rosemary7391

[STRIKE]How long would the 5 minute car ride take to walk? It could be a more direct route so could be quite doable. As a child I walked what was just over 5 minutes in the car, but 30 minutes for an adult walking (more direct routes) and 40 minutes for me at 11 (I made it in 25 minutes by the time I was 15 :P). [/STRIKE] Edit: Apparently I'm too slow typing! Is there anywhere else they could walk to that's open and you'd feel comfortable for them to do, eg library? Or a childminder nearer the bus drop off that they could go to?

Why wouldn't they be okay at home on their own? Is it something you could work on in the meantime? It'll have to be done sooner or later! Perhaps lay out a little timetable for them, plus contact details for you/friendly neighbour?

Fireflyaway

Just checked route planner and its 2.6 miles from bus to home. I don't think that's feasible. I'd worry and with heavy bags after a long day, especially if its dark or raining I think its too much.
I like the idea of using a public place like a library coffee shop as a collection point but unfortunately there isn't one on the way. Its kind of a mix of semi rural / housing estate.