[ambrose2]

When I was a kid, I would get dropped off early for “before school programs at school” and stay at “after school programs” at school and get picked up late because both of my parents worked full time. Do they not have those anymore (which sound like less money than “hiring childcare”)?

[helij]

Many times the slots are all taken. Then there's the cost. These things cost money. Add commute spending and many people can't really afford both commute for them and morning and afternoon clubs for their kids.

[pavel_lishin]

They do. But they both cost money. My child is already enrolled in the after-school program, from 2:30 until 6:00.

[ambrose2]

How much do those cost these days compared to say, day care programs (per hour)?

[pavel_lishin]

I'm not sure. We pay a yearly rate, and it's significantly cheaper than it would be to pay per hour.

In any case, we already pay for the aftercare regardless of whether we're commuting to work that day or not; that's a cost that's already budgeted for.