My kids LOVE aftercare, I can't get them to leave. But we never had a nanny, so I guess I have nothing to compare it to. But both of them enjoy the extra time with their friends, and sometimes, I feel like the kids who don't go to aftercare are missing out.

i agree with the PPs who say that it totally depends on your DC's personality. my first DD would love sacc. my second DD would love sacc eventually, but she wouldn't have wanted to stay the whole time, everyday. and it depends on how much they like the nanny and how much fun they have with her. sounds squishy, but i guess the point is that both work, but it really depends on the kid and the nanny. if i did not already have a nanny in place who i knew and liked, etc, then i would definitely do sacc, regardless.

Anonymous wrote:Our only child loves after care, and it is a great time for him to meet kids in different classes and grades. He would be miserable at home with a nanny. I think the best scenario depends on your kid, how used to a long day he is, and whether he has siblings to play with at home.

I am about to pick my kids up for an early dismissal. The older one (9) will be the 1st one in the carpool lane. The younger one (7) will ask if he can stay at aftercare to have extra recess with his friends.

Our school has an $8/hour option. Use what you need.

Our only child loves after care, and it is a great time for him to meet kids in different classes and grades. He would be miserable at home with a nanny. I think the best scenario depends on your kid, how used to a long day he is, and whether he has siblings to play with at home.

Anonymous wrote:Au Pair if you have enough space. You can't beat the flexibility at this stage of life, it isn't as expensive as a nanny, your child has another loving adult in his or her life, and you have someone there for the inevitable last-minute sickness, school closing, etc.

+1.

I did after care for K and 1st. As we are entering 2nd, I'm looking into an afternoon babysitter. I am definitely going that route for 3rd, I'm just not sure about 2nd.

I would like my child to have some downtime afterschool, finish their homework, and be able to participate in activities. All things that can be done between 3:30-6, but not by me who is at work. It the driving to activities that is killing me.

Au Pair if you have enough space. You can't beat the flexibility at this stage of life, it isn't as expensive as a nanny, your child has another loving adult in his or her life, and you have someone there for the inevitable last-minute sickness, school closing, etc.

My child was completely exhausted after Kindergarten. It's a long day for a 5 y/o. He wouldn't have done well in after care. However, some kids adjust to the longer day more easily.

I have done both. For a k child, I would do the nanny. Adjusting to k is hard enough and leaving them at school until 5 or 6 is a long day. Then by the time you get home, homework and dinner it is time for bed. My dd was much happier, not as cranky and our life was more pleasant when the nanny picked her up, brought her home, she could have play dates or activities and then we would get home and do nightly stuff. Much better for our child.

When she was in aftercare, she was exhausted and cranky n

Do you only have one child? I would never pay for a live-in nanny for a kid in school full time.

Live-in, at least M-F.

You have to keep in mind though - if the weather is so bad that the school is closed, your nanny may also be unable to make it to your house. That happened to us numerous times this year (and the day after), which was frustrating.

I agree - summer is a pain. This summer is taken care of, but you're right - next summer is another thing to consider. I sometimes wonder how people say nannies are too expensive when thinking about all of these logistical nightmares that seem to occur so frequently.

I can't say since we don't use it for holidays, but I'd think the bigger issue is summer and the difficulty of stringing together enough camps for a little kid.

We are starting "real" school next year (kindergarten, yay!) and I am trying to figure out if I should just continue down the nanny route. I would prefer after-care and have us just be the family again, but in thinking about all the school closings this winter, due to weather, planned days off, etc., I am thinking that I would end up just scrambling for patchwork child care if I use the school's after care program. How many days would you say your schools were closed and the child care programs were not available to you this year?