How much value do you place on being able to pick your kids up from school?

What hours does your child do at nursery now? If they are used to being in full time, 5 days a week 8-6 then maybe it’s not that important. If you’ve had them at home Al these 5 years or they’ve only done short days, putting them in wrap around care is going to be exhausting. Also depends on the child. I do 2 days wrap around, and pick up the other 3. I’ve loved the chance to make friends/ socialise/ build networks and wouldn’t replace these interactions, I love my school mum friends. But I’m lucky it’s been a nice school and there isn’t any gossip or drama like you read about on here. Plus my dc would have been utterly exhausted, and struggled to fit in phonics/ reading etc.

I think its good to do pick ups at least 3 days a week. My DH does 3 drop offs per week. I do 2 drop offs and 3 pick ups. My MIL does 1 pick up and they go to after school 1 day per week. This allows for after school extra curriculars, play dates and after school park trips

We tried not to put my DS in after school club thinking it would be better for him but he kept asking to go, he now goes three days a week and would love to go five days a week. He sees it as time to play with his friends and have fun

I work 3 days and really love picking my kids up from school. I think it's really important as that's when you get a sense of how their day was and any issues that may have arose. Even as teenagers I think it's important that someone is there is possible, at least for a couple of days.

Reception- I wanted to pick them up.

After that, they loved after-school club - very chilled out wind-down time with toys and crafts - great to have that option.

That was only 2 or 3 days but the variety worked well.

Personally prefer after school and breakfast club. Dc have fun. I avoid the school gate shit. Most at my dc school are bringing dc home to screen time whilst they work. Plenty do after school activities but a lot of it is unnecessary busy-ness, especially for young dc.

We fitted in a full after school programme (swimming, scouts, football fencing) plus music lessons in school.

Mixed. Mine were in after school till 5 which was a nightmare with them doing homework and after school events.

Get a balance. So a few days of being late is grand and a few days of getting at pick up.

And good luck for the school mums....

For me it was important as the children were worn out at 3 pm.
At secondary school they travel home on their own.

For me, drop off and pick up are important and I am fortunate enough to work hours that facilitate both.

I would say if I had to choose 1 I would chose pick up. Most of the parents at DDs school do pick up 2-3 times a week. I find the school gate more social at pick up.

For me it was very important and I didn’t use after school clubs, I have friends for whom it isn’t important and they use full wrap around care. It’s a personal choice. We all have happy and loved children.

What do you want? It’s a privilege to have a choice. Make the most of it.