To think that if a school early morning club says 7:45 start, that 7:50 is not acceptable?

The things is schools are under no obligation to run these clubs and they are incredibly difficult to staff. When our breakfast club lady is sick, I can't help because I'm taking my own children to their own wrap around care, as are most of my colleagues. Generally something can be sorted but the head cannot magic up staff out of thin air.

Yeah definitely apply and I would arrange a taxi from the school for the first week.

Then if ESC isn't opening in time speak to the woman in charge initially and that might solve your issue.

Best of luck with getting the job.

@orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclementselectric bikes aren’t illegal and you absolutely can ride them on the roads as long as they are the right type - info here.

https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules

Glad you applied. Take this one step at a time.

Get the job.

Take the job.

Start your DD at the breakfast club.

If they open late, and you miss/might miss the bus, use a taxi/leave your DD with another parent, THEN speak to the Head.

Maybe when she starts you could also mention to the leader that you’re cutting it fine for the bus. If she realises that it might make her more punctual 🤞.

Would your mum do it for the first week back in September to help you settle into the new job and remove any drop off stress while you get used to your journey?

Why? She should be starting on time regardless?

I had this with dds’ school. I had to go straight to work after dropping off (used flexi for this so would stay late). School started at 8.45 and they’d open the doors at gone ten to.

I complained and mercifully they started to let the kids in on time.

This happens all the time at our school. With no exaggeration, at least 3-5 days across a term. It’s run by a school employee who has another role and if they are sick, have an appt, or any of their children are sick so they can’t come in (all three attend the school) then breakfast club is cancelled with about an hours notice.

The after school club is the same. That’s run by a school employee also, a different one, and the cancellations aren’t as regular but they do happen a couple of times a term.

Head is well aware, says there’s nothing that can be done they don’t have anyone else to run them so ‘shrug’.

I am very fortunate not to have to use it myself but it’s a nightmare for some of our parents. It’s been raised to the governors, who accept the Heads ‘shrug’ and nothing is ever done.

YANBU, OP. I was in this situation myself for a while and it drove me nuts. Kid was too small to leave waiting (have to sign them in anyway) and didn't have other parents I knew there at that time.

Ah, sorry hadn't realised the buses are only hourly.
Are there any mum friends who might help out? I had a similar issue at one point and shared my issue across a couple of friends who I then helped out with babysitting etc.

And remember these things are temporary, once your child is older it all becomes easier. And time soon whizzes by too.
Hope you get the job you want!

Apply for the job.

I leave my DC for a few mins before breakfast club.

Could your DM help if she's 'around the corner?'

I think it might be easier to ask another parent ,i wouldn't have minded when my son was at primary school watching another child for a few minutes

Do any neighbours have a sensible 14+ daughter/son who for a small ££ would walk with them and stay until open? I used to do this when one son had to be collected from Cubs but the younger one had gone to bed.

This persistent lateness is unacceptable. A bad example to the children for starters. Look also at the parents most likely to have to be at a place of work at a set time, and who therefore is most affected.

Just apply for it otherwise you’re over thinking this for nothing and risk loosing out on something that could be good for you. At least if you apply you stand a chance even if you later decide you don’t want the job. I’d apply and go from there.

Two issues here - why is she always late opening? If a bank opens at 9am, that’s when it opens. They don’t open at 9:20 every day! Second issue - why is this woman alone? Surely in terms of safeguarding, there should always be more than one member of staff around. Worrying.

Definitely apply for the job.

Do you think there might be any wiggle room that end, with the job, or is there a specific reason it has to start at 9am (eg retail) ?
Sometimes once you have a post & they want you, you find there are slight accomodations that can be made to support you especially with childcare which is notoriously difficult.

Definitely speak to the school too but if the job is accommodating by a few minutes too you might be fine either way.

Good luck with getting the post!

You need a childminder. They tend to be more reliable and more flexible.

id highly recommend one over a school club like the one you describe.

Email the headteacher with this predicament. Explain that you are applying for a job but you don’t want to accept it until you are guaranteed the EMC will be opening on time each morning. The headteacher will likely get back to you in the next few days despite it being the summer hols. The headteacher may not be aware that it is opening later than advertised. At my child’s school, they ensure that either the head or deputy are on site at the start of emc in order to ensure that they have appropriate numbers of staff on site. They don’t run the club but are just on site. It may be that the same happens at your child’s school so they could supervise for the first five minutes.

It would be cutting fine. I found I couldn’t rely on the breakfast club at my dc school. One day they cancelled on the day. Due to staff sickness. I couldn’t believe there wasn’t a stand in. Then when the member of staff left they cancelled it for half a term. I ended up using a childminder which was further for me to drive but reliable. Maybe I just had a bad experience. The job you are applying for maybe flexible in start times. I have found this once I have been for an interview.

In our area, you absolutely cannot get a last-minute taxi during the school run. I hope everything works out!

You used to be able to get last minute taxi here at early school run and evening times - that's changed in last few years - it's impossible.

It meant we had to insist there was at least another bus between one DS meant to catch and A-level exam time starts wereas it was less necessary two year before that for DD1.