Starting school & work

Depends on the school I think, my friends little one had a week of half days (for settling in not due to birthday) and took the week off. I don’t think they do extended half days for summer babies now but I may be wrong

My son (11) did 3 days half days then full days You can refuse half days parents don’t realise this but you can

You can go full time except the settling in period which every child does. Each school is different but the one we went to look round the other day was 2 optional stay and plays in July then 2 stay and plays not optional in the September, half start the next day full time (they said youngest first) and the other half the following day (adding to the 1st half) so by day 4 all are in and full time unless part time is needed for the individual child.

I really don’t understand how school hours and work hours are supposed to work together. I feel like the school system still hasn’t caught up to the fact that most mums have to work these days so breakfast and after school clubs need to be guaranteed, not first come first served and only limited days! 🤦‍♀️

@Ellie it’s because school isn’t childcare it’s education 🤷🏻‍♀️ the schools system doesn’t need to ‘catch up’ Most schools have wrap around care or there’s childminders etc to use It isn’t for school staff to work even longer hours to facilitate childcare I get it’s frustrating and this is why you choose a school and setting that suits you and your needs

@Nikki you absolutely can decline the part time settling in sessions Most people don’t realise this but you can decline them and send them full time from the off

@Amy the thing is you aren't guaranteed to get the school you want, the school that offers wrap around care isn't in our catchment area, that's the school we need, otherwise we are f!@ked

No I agree but also that’s not the schools fault… I’d advise looking for childminders who may do drop off and pick up at your local school just in case! Schools shouldn’t have to have their staff in 7-7 to accommodate work - and then go home and mark, plan etc! It doesn’t work

@Amy a lot of childminders I have spoken to aren't doing school drop off and collections anymore due to it affecting full time numbers. I'm not saying all staff should be in 7-7, but parents need the help.

I agree there definitely should be more available… but that’s not up to the school and their staff to implement I live in a small town I’d say 90% of schools have breakfast and after school clubs (ran by external staff) childminders that do school runs etc some only doing school pickups due to the paperwork for early years! And local nurseries do a pickup from some schools and do an after school club there.. I get that it’s hard going from basically 7-6 for childcare to 9-3 school but that’s on the government not supporting wrap around care with funding etc not on the schools

gosh i don’t even know, i’m in a lucky position because on tuesday i will be 11 weeks pregnant, due end of April, so i’ll be on maternity leave when my son starts school. i also work in a nursery on a school and am term time only and work 8:30-3:15 three days a week so already do school hours😅