Wellesley Elementry school bussing question - 2 working parents .

[NewfieMama]

Originally Posted by ECPCVC

There's something to be said for free play and socialization with peers in a non-structured environment. I guess I don't understand the need for a kindergartener to be doing academics after school. Is this what people do with their kids now? Genuinely asking. I have a child entering K.

For us the after-school nanny allows us to shift activities from weekends to weekday afternoons where we can. Our 5-year-old and our 3-year-old have to choose 4 activities each because that's all we can feasibly fit into our weekend schedules while still having a good chunk of family time (and a date night!). With the after-school nanny starting this fall, we've been able to shift 2 of the activities to weekday afternoons so our nanny can take them there and I can pick them up. This has really made a huge impact on our fall weekend schedule. We now have more time to pick up a couple of classes they love on Saturdays, but didn't make the "top 4" list. Or we could have more down time.

There may be a point where we start doing more academic-focused things after school, but not right now. I actually think some of the activities they are doing now really help them academically. Our 5-year-old plays piano--she started when she was 3, so she's pretty good now and can read music, including how many beats per measure the music calls for, how many notes per beat depending on the type of note, etc. Those are great building blocks for math.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Let them have fun and play!

Seriously.

[ECPCVC]

Originally Posted by NewfieMama

For us the after-school nanny allows us to shift activities from weekends to weekday afternoons where we can. Our 5-year-old and our 3-year-old have to choose 4 activities each because that's all we can feasibly fit into our weekend schedules while still having a good chunk of family time (and a date night!). With the after-school nanny starting this fall, we've been able to shift 2 of the activities to weekday afternoons so our nanny can take them there and I can pick them up. This has really made a huge impact on our fall weekend schedule. We now have more time to pick up a couple of classes they love on Saturdays, but didn't make the "top 4" list. Or we could have more down time.

There may be a point where we start doing more academic-focused things after school, but not right now. I actually think some of the activities they are doing now really help them academically. Our 5-year-old plays piano--she started when she was 3, so she's pretty good now and can read music, including how many beats per measure the music calls for, how many notes per beat depending on the type of note, etc. Those are great building blocks for math.

Totally agree. I am going back to work in fall, but doing "mother's hours" because I like being able to take them to activities during the week instead of on the weekends. I'm not sure I could have afforded to hire anyone (and my son has special needs which is a whole other can of worms). My comment was regarding my surprise that a parent would have misgivings about an after-school program for a 5 year old due to the lack of academic rigor. When my kids get home from school they have free play with each other, go to a sport/activity, or have a play date. What would an ideal after-school program for a kindergartener look like to the OP? Everyone at a desk working on their alphabet?