After school care for year 7?

[rutht]

Can anyone give me some tips for after school care for my son who is going to secondary school in September? School finishes at 3. There are activities at school some nights but only until 4 and I won't get this sorted straight away. I get home 6.15. It feels too soon to let him be home alone, especially as the nights draw in. I thought a part time student who needs to earn some money might be ideal child minder....but where do I find one?

Any advice gratefully received....

[EDmummy]

Faced this with my older son a few years ago. I couldn't find anyone to look after him and he was not keen on having a "babysitter" so I did the following; changed my work hours so I could get home no later than 5:30pm (meant I had to get up much earlier), ring him for a chat and to see how he was getting on around the time he returned home, ensure there were easy to access (and healthy) snacks, let him know I was available to talk to if he had any concerns, find one or two neighbours he was comfortable with who he could call on if needed. We also had rules about going anywhere after school and anyone coming back to ours.

We only had to do this three days a week (I work 4/day week and one of those is from home) and it took a while for him to feel comfortable but I definitely think it encouraged his indepdendence. We were helped by the fact that my son is quite sensible and studious - if it was my second son I may not have played it the same way.

Good luck.

[Dodo1]

Tell him to go and wait at the library and that you will phone him when you are near home.

[Ruth, Camberwell]

Thanks for this - v helpful.

[esme]

Dulwich Hamlets do after-school maths & english or football training if of interest? (near Sainsbury's Dog Kennel Hill SE22). Runs 4.30-6pm

http://www.dulwichkids.com

My son does the holiday club there, run by same guy - Peter - absolutely lovely and well organised. Would highly recommend.

07983 569 190 Peter