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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

133 replies

orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements · 12/08/2025 09:50

I desperately need a job. I mean, I really really need to take what I can.

I have found one that's perfect for me, which is great, because I've been applying for any old crap tbh, so I'm excited to see something that I actually want to do and can do.

I can't drive, I'm not going into it, but learning to drive isn't an option for me.
This is fine because before I apply for any job I check that public transport routes work for me.

The job I want starts at 9am, but it's in the next town over. There is a bus that stops directly opposite my DD's school that will get me to work for 8:40, so even leaves time if the bus is late.
However, because it's in the next town over, this is the ONLY bus available to get to work as there is only one an hour (back-up plan on rare days bus is cancelled is a taxi but this can't be a regular long term plan due to cost)

This bus leaves at 7:52. Early morning club at my daughter's school starts at 7:45.

I have, on a few sporadic occasions, used this early morning club, and my experience has been that the lady who runs it will often amble casually over to the gates at 7:48, 7:50 or even something like 7:53 and start letting children in.

I absolutely need to be saying goodbye to my daughter and walking away at 7:45 (and yes, I am paying from 7:45) so that I've got enough time to cross the road and get the bus, and allow for the bus to show up a couple of minutes early.

Is it unreasonable to say to the school that I absolutely need to drop her off when it's supposed to open at 7:45 and I can't wait any longer?

The unreliability is making me question whether or not it's worth applying for the job as I may not be able to get there, nor handle the frustration of seeing my bus drive past while this woman gets her act together.

I'm just worried about coming across as petty because I don't think people that rely on public transport really appreciate how important being exactly on time is, and that two minutes does make a difference.

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 12/08/2025 10:06

First of all I’d wait til I’d got the job to speak to anyone about the club starting late.

But if you do, yes I’d speak to the school/ the lady who runs the club about needing to start at 7.45

neverbeenskiing · 12/08/2025 10:02

I think it's completely reasonable to politely explain that them regularly opening the gate late is having an impact on your ability to get to work on time as you have to catch public transport. If you're paying from 7.45 then you are entitled to drop her off at 7.45 but obviously you can't just leave her there alone before they open the gate.

Thepeopleversuswork · 12/08/2025 10:02

I used to have this issues with the school breakfast club at primary school and it irritated me.

The deputy head ran the breakfast club and it was theoretically open from 7.30am but in practice rarely open until 7.45am. And as you say she would casually walk out to open the gates, chatting to the gardeners on her merry way.

Notwithstanding the fact that teachers are overworked and knackered (which I have sympathy with), I do think if you charge for and advertise a service, knowing a lot of parents rely on it for their jobs, you should open when you say you're going to open.

I would raise it with the head and, if that doesn't work, the governors.

JSMill · 12/08/2025 10:01

I’m assuming she’s getting paid to start working from 7.45 if not earlier so it’s absolutely not petty to expect her to be doing her job!

Peabowl · 12/08/2025 10:01

Talk to the head. Not in an accusatory fashion, but say how much you need the job and how important it is to be on that bus, that you're concerned that the club doesn't always open on time etc and you're not sure what to do.

It all "feels" like things that don't concern the school, but IME, working in primary schools, heads absolutely are interested in supporting families. Afterall, that's why they have breakfast clubs. The head is probably blissfully unaware the club doesn't open on time.

Either way, absolutely apply for the job. What's the worst that can happen? If you really can't make it work, you leave and are back where you are now, but you won't know if you don't try.

MrsVinceVega · 12/08/2025 09:58

Talk to the school about it and explain your situation with the bus.

HelpMeUnpickThis · 12/08/2025 09:55

I feel your pain. If my DD’s breakfast club dont open the gates promptly it means I will definitely miss my train. My commute is long as it is without the hassle of missing a train by a whisker even though I will
already have hussled my daughter out of the house (and all that is involved in that) so we can be there on time. I just want to drop and run.

Suggestions:

Speak to the school and let them know how time constrained you are.

Is there another parent you know who drops at that time who would be able to hang onto your DC for five mins so you can leg it for your bus?

Congratulations on securing the job; I hope you can work something out.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 12/08/2025 09:53

How old is your child? Could they wait outside until the person running it opens up, with strict instructions to NOT MOVE. If the school queries why you've left her outside say that they opened late.

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