That is funny my kids love going to play with their friends in aftercare, they play on sports teams afterschool and take classes like Math Whiz games or karate or languages. Sitting at home alone with a nanny once in a while would be great but every day seems lonely unless you hosted playdates frequently. The aftercare at our school is pretty good though.

I found a nanny that costs me the same as aftercare so I went with her.

OP here and as this person I have in mind already has a morning job, I am pretty sure she would want to do this. Just thinking about the expense. However, as DD is so young, I would much prefer her to be cared for in her own home rather then put into after care. Hmm...decisions....

I would never consider AfterCare. All the poor souls in after care look sad. We have a graduate student who picks up DD and either takes her to piano lessons or brings her home. Our sitter plans great activities for DD and always gets her homework done. She will also pop dinner in the oven and make a salad for us.

After school care at school is easier in many ways, no extra work for you and no looking for a nanny. Kids just stay at school and usually there is some homework support, friends, and outside time. Win/win.

Nanny is better if your kids want to do activities and more flexible if you want them to be driven to do other things or if your kids have different needs (one of my kids likes to be busy, one needs more downtime at home).

Nannys are harder to find - especially part time after school - we have a full time nanny instead and we pay her to do other things during the day so we don't have the stress of looking every semester for a different high school student or whatever.

There is an after care programme near my house which will be less expensive but am tempted by an after school nanny. DD is 5 years old and I would prefer her at home in her own environment. I also have a great candidate in mind who is looking for afternoon work. She is highly experienced, personable and DD really likes her. Just think it could get expensive so don't know what to do.....

My kids hate aftercare, so we have an afterschool nanny.

I hired a 2-7pm nanny when my older kids were in middle school and younger ones were babies. They had never gone to aftercare and I just never considered it.

Or putting your kid in an out of school club. What would you choose and why moms?