Can anyone share positive experiences with before/after school care?

My son will be starting kindergarten in September. I work full-time in the city. He's been in daycare since 4 months from about 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. He loves it... has friends... is popular and outgoing... loves his teachers... it's what he knows.... he's been doing it forever. When he starts kindergarten, he won't know anyone, new school, new kids, new teacher... new everything including before and after care. My heart literally hurts thinking about him being away from me for so many hours... even though the same number of hours as now... but in a brand new environment. Although he has friends and is outgoing at his school now, he's very shy in new situations and with people he doesn't know... even with family we don't see very often.

I guess I'm just looking to hear stories of kids, especially starting kindergarten, who enjoyed before/after school care.

I appreciate any advice.

Thank you!

Re: Can anyone share positive experiences with before/after school care?

My DD is in kindergarten and will cry sometimes when it's time to go home from aftercare! I always joke that people must think that life at our house must be miserable! If your son is outgoing now and has lots of friends now, he will be the same in his new school I've found that at this age, they have so much energy and really don't mind being out of the house for that long. It'll be fine

Re: Can anyone share positive experiences with before/after school care?

I think we worry, but they adapt so well.

I was so nervous all day and then he said it was AWESOME!

Can you do aftercare at your old daycare center?

Re: Can anyone share positive experiences with before/after school care?

My sons both did After Care until 6pm each night. They really liked it. They got to finish homework, have snacks and play with their friends.

Now I'm a Trapped At Home Mom (looking desperately for work). They come home at 3, they have a snack, they do their homework, they do their chores and then they fight with each other. Sometimes I think they had it better when they got to go to aftercare. In fact, last year when Rob would pick them up at the program at 4, they would sometimes ask to stay longer!

Re: Can anyone share positive experiences with before/after school care?

Thank you everyone! I appreciate the feedback!

Re: Can anyone share positive experiences with before/after school care?

My kids did well in before & aftercare.

Beforecare was only for kindergarten because our district has 1/2 day kindergarten. It was considered "Kindergarten Enrichment". I think it was great for them & cemented some friendships with some kids because they were together for a little longer. Plus when they get to the middle school & high school, they will know kids from other schools.

Aftercare is in our elementary school. They like it because it gives them a chance to play with their classmates, catch up on their homework. I love it because I can sign them up for almost any after-school activity with the school (and my school has a lot: Lego Club, Chess Club, Science Club, Dance, etc.) & they walk from one area to another.

The downside is they don't get to have playdates with kids not in the program unless the parent is willing to pick up & hang on to my kid until one of us gets home from work.

Re: Can anyone share positive experiences with before/after school care?

My nieces (kindergarten and 4th grade) LOVE aftercare.

They have a snack, do their homework and then play. It ends at 5:30 and if I pick them up a minute early, they let me know about it!

And then, once they are home - it is all about hanging out, relaxing and eating dinner! I don't have to worry about their homework or even a snack before dinner!

Re: Can anyone share positive experiences with before/after school care?

DS goes to before and after care and LOVES it!!! I was worried too about him liking it but he actually gets upset when DH picks him up in the afternoon and he has to leave When I drop him off in the morning, I have to beg him for a hug goodbye because he runs in and starts playing with his friends!

Re: Can anyone share positive experiences with before/after school care?

My DS started Kindergarten this year and loved after care. He misses it now that I don't coach and can get him off the bus. He'll do both before and after next year.