Aftercare advice

My DD started kindergarten this year. She HATES aftercare. She only goes two times per week (Wed and Thursday). The aftercare teachers tell us that she doesn't play with the other kids and pretty much follows them around. When I ask her about it, she tells me there are no little girls. There are 2 others in her class that go but they are boys and she doesn't want to play with them. The teachers said the younger kids have older siblings and stay with them. We have tried sending in mazes and stuff for her to do to keep her busy but there is also plenty of stuff for her to do there. Any advice how to make it easier? I just got a call from her teacher that she was hysterical at the end of the day because she didn't want to go.

Also, I could probably arrange a grandparent to take those 2 days as I will be on maternity leave in approx 2 months and she won't need to go then but I don't feel like that is the answer because when I go back to work, she will need to go again. I also don't want her to think she has a choice, kwim?

Any advice how to make aftercare easier for her?

TIA

Re: Aftercare advice

My kids have always gone to after care two days per week (just my 2nd grader goes now my older one is 13). We have always had great experiences. My program has activities appropriate to various grade levels (K-5).

I might pull her out if you plan on doing it in two months anway. But, first I would speak to the after care teachers and ask what they suggest. Are they working with her??

IMO, if its an issue regarding class composition (less girls than boys), they should be going out of their way to work with her.

Re: Aftercare advice

these are my thoughts...

why are older kids allowed to have there younger siblings tagging along. Shouldn't they all be doing age appropriate stuff?

Anyway, if there are no girls in her grade, how about a girl a grade older than her. Could they let her go with the next grade up?

Or if the kids her age are tagging along with their older siblings, maybe they could ask one of the older siblings to include your dd in their activities as well...kind of take her under their wing.


I honestly think that they are not doing a particularly good job if your dd is not having fun. Poor thing.

Re: Aftercare advice

Honestly Mel, I would let your mom watch her those days until you go on maternity leave... By the time you go back to work, she may have matured quite a bit and maybe it wont be so hard for her...

Re: Aftercare advice

I would ask another mom, maybe a friends mom, to take her home those days. Aftercare can be overwhelming and makes the school day longer. Are there any SAHMs in the area who could help you? I am only suggesting this because I am a SAHM and I pick up 2 children who are my DSs friends after school every day because they hated aftercare too.

Re: Aftercare advice

Re: Aftercare advice

I'm no help J hates it too, there are no littlle ones there either. Luckily for me the SCOPE ladies adore her and the "older" girls do too.