To think schools should get with the times re working parents.

Many schools are open 8-6, its called wraparound care which pay extra for. If that's something you need, check which schools have it available when picking your school

No child could learn for 10 hours straight

No teacher could teach for 10 hours straight.

Yes it would help working parents but why would it help gender equality? What, because its compulsory for only mums to do pick and drop off? Nope, it's not. My husband does 3 days pick up and drop off, I do 2. And I see loads of Dads on school run, on average at least a third of parents on our school run are Dads.

These threads become so offensive. DH and I are both patient facing NHS. We don’t earn much. We work long shifts. I don’t agree at all that schools should be childcare. Equally though, do I not deserve kids as much as someone who has the luxury of WFH flexibly just because I don’t see my kids as much?

There is no money to pay for an extra four hours a day to be staffed.
There are insufficient teachers and they are leaving in droves, so it might be that there may be part time schooling in the future.
If you value education you’ll know that school isn’t childcare.
Who will pay for the wrap around care?
Who will want to do it?

Instead of regarding the problem lying with schools, consider that the problem might lie with inflexible working patterns and companies.

What?? What you on about? I don’t see your point at all. Are you suggesting that life, careers, family help etc remains constant in the 5 years between conception and school start, and then continues on, unchanging through primary school? What ‘shit’ are you even referring to 😵‍💫 nonsense.

OP workplaces need to bend to accommodate working parents. The new flexible working bill is a good step.

I think it should be the other way around actually. Workplaces should offer flexible working hours and a 3pm finish as 'normal' I have a full time job, mainly wfh and a boss who couldn't give a shit what hours I work as long as the job is done. Works out brilliantly around school. I am fortunate to have decent wrap around care too but if that ever fails I don't need stress too much about it.

Never mind the fact that kids would struggle with this it would be of no use to parents like me who work full time rotating shift patterns 😵‍💫

Child care is an absolute nightmare for me but I have to make it work or else I quit my job and sign on.

But I get your frustrations OP, childcare is soo expensive and many jobs are inflexible.

How is it going to be staffed and financed?

Anyone with a brain knew the low interest rates wouldn't last forever.

You chose your mortgage.

No one else, you.

So teachers should literally be worn to the ground?

Yes. DH and I are teachers. We chose a school that offered wraparound from 7.30-5.45. We split the drop off and collections between us as even these times so not fit with meetings/parents evenings/open evenings/events etc. it’s difficult but that’s family life. I’m not sure why you are blaming schools?

Yes - but for most people they do act as childcare. Op has a point why is the working day 9-5 but school only 9-3pm?

Long days and wraparound can be hard for children. My ds didnt cope and I ended up quitting work as his MH was declining rapidly

The irony that my husband does all drop offs, because I'm a teacher 😂.

Get a better husband.

Most schools are open 8-6, it’s just the free bit - the education bit - is usually only 9-3:30ish and the rest is breakfast/after school club.

it would be perfectly possible for the government to fund before and after school places for every child. It would be logistically tricky for most schools and government funding levels really rely of schools being able to rent out space after school/evenings.

but it’s do-able. Actual lesson time from 8-6 seems pointlessly horrible in primary and at secondary, they can just get themselves home.

would pretty much wipe out the childminder business model.

8-6 is far too long but I would like to see more wraparound care options before and after school and more holiday childcare available as our school has none.

Gender inequality is partly down to people not expecting that men lean into childcare, pickups etc. Other countries have managed to encourage men to deal with their fair share of the load. I think that would be better

Also we can't get enough teachers to cover the hours schools re currently open so I've no idea where you're getting these other hours covered from?

Did you know teachers are parents too. You get with the programme. Schools are not childcare. Are you offering to pay staff 10 hour days

Or we could invest in good quality care which provides a wide range opportunities wider than the academic. Sports, crafts, outdoor learning, practical skills, voluntary opoortunities.

The wider offer could be, as with parts of Europe, from 1.00pm everyday. Ending at 6.00pm (a minimum time agreed but or earlier than 6.00pm if parents wish).

Teachers could teach from 8.00 till 1.00, the extra care would allow teachers to plan, assess and do all of the things that are required to support the safety and education of children during the afternoon.

It would also mean that difficulties in staffing WRAC with very limited hours at each end of the day would improve and there would be a quality offer over a decent amount of time (5hours) rather than an hour or less if waiting around before school.
It would remove difficult lunchtime and lack of staff too. In Spain, children I knew took one sandwich, eaten in their classroom, 15 minute break.
Neither children or teachers can be involved an academic learning from 8.00 till 6.00 every day.

A whole rethink would support not only the health and well-being of teachers but arguably more importantly improve the dire state of the health and well-being of our children.

You chose to take on a mortgage needing two incomes, unless you're a single parent. In which case you are entitled to some childcare support unless you earn shit loads.

Not much choice re house prices tbf. What are you classing as shit loads?

Poor kids is all I can say if that was to happen. What is the point in having a child if it has to spend its life in a school with other kids and a teacher rather than with his family .Sad world really if that would even be considered.