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AIBU?

To let DS2 go to school very early?

94 replies

Ferrybridge · 26/09/2012 08:58

He's year 5 and likes to have some time in the playground before school.

This morning he left home at 8:15, meaning he would have been in school before 8:20. The classroom doors open at 8:45 and official school start is 8:55. It was compounded this morning as it's raining hard (In my defense wasn't raining quite so hard when he went out)

Anyway, I did suggest he didn't want to be wet in school all day, but he was determined and I thought, Oh well, you'll learn, so let him go.

So, he regularly has half and hour unsupervised in the playground and today he will be wet through. Will the school be judging me? If they are I hope this will be the only thing. In all other , I'm a model school mum, cakes baked, healthy packed lunch, reading diary completed regularly, assemblies attended letters returned promptly, named & correct school uniform, rarely speak to teacher outside parents evening (but always turn up and arrive on time for that) etc

OP posts:

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GoldShip · 26/09/2012 09:00

It doesn't seem very safe

princessnumber2 · 26/09/2012 09:01

Our school asks us not to drop off before 8.45 as the kids would be unsupervised. I guess they don't want anyone breaking a leg or having an asthma attack with no-one around...

Ragwort · 26/09/2012 09:04

Does your school have a 'policy' about what time children can arrive in the playground - our primary specifically said that no children could arrive before 8.40am as there would be no supervision provided. What would happen if your child had an accident in the playground? Presumably teachers arrive early to prepare for the day not supervise children.

I guess it depends on your school.

wonderingagain · 26/09/2012 09:04

He should be supervised at 5, do they not have a breakfast club? He should also be kept dry. Otherwise it's a great thing to let him do it.

WelshMaenad · 26/09/2012 09:05

Our school state that children should not be on school premises earlier than 15 minutes before school start time, as they can't be responsible for them. If yours doesn't, well, age 9/10 he would be playing out for short periods unsupervised with his mates etc so safety wise this doesn't seem different. I just wonder if teachers feel compelled to keep an eye in him when they're trying to enjoy a pre work cuppa and feel resentful. I suppose all you can do is ask.

TeeBee · 26/09/2012 09:05

I wouldn't want my child hanging around anywhere by himself for half an hour, and school wouldnt allow it.

shrimponastick · 26/09/2012 09:06

YANBU .

Of course school don't want to have to be liable out of hours.

I assume he gets there on his own? Better loitering in playground than en route.

Independence is good.

Housewifefromheaven · 26/09/2012 09:06

My year 11 has to be in for 8.15am so my year 6 is always early. Needs must and I've never had a complaint from school or son.

shrimponastick · 26/09/2012 09:07

wondering

He is in year 5: so is aged 9 or 10

OhSoSimple · 26/09/2012 09:07

wonderingagain YEAR 5 not age 5!

I wouldn't let my child but then I wouldn't let mine walk to school alone but I can't say YABU as every child is different. I would imagine the school would take a dim view if he was in the playground unsupervised that early.

PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot · 26/09/2012 09:07

Who takes him? Could they not supervise him for a bit, or are there loads of other kids & parents there?

It's good he is up & raring to go. Especially in this weather bless him!

PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot · 26/09/2012 09:08

Oh I thought he was 5 too!!

Ferrybridge · 26/09/2012 09:08

Wondering, he's year 5, which makes him 9

OP posts:

LemonBreeland · 26/09/2012 09:14

I think as others have said the school is unlikely to want him there before there is a playground supervisor present.

slartybartfast · 26/09/2012 09:15

will they open the school early to accommodate him and others?

slartybartfast · 26/09/2012 09:16

and yanbu, he will enjoy himself i bet

seeker · 26/09/2012 09:20

Are the school hqppy with this? Most primary schools have very strict rules about when kids are allowed to turn up because there is a set time when they become the school's responsibility. If they are on school property unsupervised the school couldnbe in trouble legally.

I would just say no, frankly.

Floggingmolly · 26/09/2012 09:23

Our gates don't actually open until the staff are available to supervise. I'm really surprised in these "blame culture" times this is even allowed. If he had an accident, could they refuse to accept liability if they knew he was there?
I really wouldn't do this.

slartybartfast · 26/09/2012 09:24

but presumabely he always does this, it is not the being allowed the op is querying, it is how wet he will get.
in my dcs primary they opened the hall on wet days.

MrSunshine · 26/09/2012 09:26

nine year olds don't need constant supervision, don't they play outside alone near home?

The school policy probably says something like they take no responsibility for unsupervised children before X time. Which is fine.

So what is the problem?

41notTrendy · 26/09/2012 09:28

It depends on whether you are happy to let him play out unsupervised, a distance from home normally? I think if you talked to the school they would ask that he doesn't come to school that early due to lack of supervision. As long as you accept the risks, however, yanbu.

Fishwife1949 · 26/09/2012 09:29

Um a child hanging about before or after school is never a good idea espically boys

My childs high school asks the parents not to send the children early and also they ask for the chikdren to go stright home from school

They have found that this is the time when bullying,fights and issues more

They see their mates every day for the wwhole day dont need to be playing with the, before school at the crack of dawn

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Poppylovescheese · 26/09/2012 09:30

Those of you who say you wouldn't let him walk to school unsupervised or stay a t school playing football: REALLY? When do you plan on letting your children develop independence? He is in yr 5 so only two years away from secondary school, my ds does this from around 8am most days and the school have no problem. They don't expect parents to be constantly supervising older children anyway.

UC · 26/09/2012 09:31

I often let DS1 (year 4) go a bit early, he calls on his friend and they go to school together. He doesn't usually want to do this in the rain though! Do you let your DS out to play? - if so, how is this different?

lisad123 · 26/09/2012 09:32

I don't think I would for that amount of time but guess if he wants to, it's no different than him playing in the street.
Dd1 is in year five and we aren't allowed to leave them until the doors are open

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