Does this sound ok? School run…

Unless it's against the school rules it's totally fine for an 8 and 9 yr old to stand by the school gate for 5 minutes when there are lots of kids and parents around.

What are the risks?

Your kids might run away or run into the road- only you know how big that risk is. Are they runners or can they be trusted to stand mostly still for 5 minutes?

Your kids might get kidnapped- low risk, given they're surrounded by parents and classmates

They might badly injured themselves and need an adult- low risk if they're standing in a group for 5 minutes

They might get approached by a dodgy adult- low risk if they're in a group. They'll find a pal to chat to, not some random adult. Assuming you've taught them over the years how to behave around strangers.

I just don't see any big risk in this if they're sensible kids

I think:

• Are the DC comfortable with it? that's a big one
• Is there another parent with whom you can make an arrangement?
• You need to speak to the school so they know you are doing this – our junior school would have been fine but some on here say their school would not
• I would overall be fine with this as my DC were walking to and from school from end of year 4/start of year 5. This was fairly common tho (no one picked up in year 6 unless there fr younger DC) but I do know schools locally where it would be unusual

I think it’s probably fine because at 5 mins before the gate opens at our school there are loads of parents there, many of whom would be happy to make sure a friend of their child’s was ok for 5 mins.

I’m assuming you mean for this to be in September, when your youngest starts? So would your eldest be in yr 5? At that age, they can walk to school by themselves anyway at our school, so would only be the younger child you’d need someone to stand with.

I would put the youngest in breakfast club(as just 1 child) then take the other 2 at normal time

Do you need to drop the youngest at 8.45 for the gates opening if school doesn't start until 9am? If not I would drop them both of 5-10 mins later that you suggest.

Yeah I thought that. And she couldn't take them to BC when it starts so it would be a waste of a place and money. So school wouldn't allow them to just use BC for 10 mins?

What year groups are they. If years 4 and 5 then maybe. If 3 and 4 then ours would say no. At ours year 5's can wait on their own and year 6's can walk on their own.

I sometimes had to rush off to work so asked another parent if my child could wait with them. Is this an option?

If breakfast club or another parent watching them isn’t an option then maybe a phone call? Could you get the 9 year old a really really basic call/ text only phone like the £20 ones, and then drop them off, call his phone before you set off to leave and stay on the phone with him until he goes in? He can hand the phone in to his teacher each morning if they are a phone free school. You at least are in contact then and he can let you know, gates open, I’m going in now love you bye. Gives you reassurance each day they are okay, and they are walking into the gates. Know it’s not ideal but you can’t be in two places at once xx

It probably depends where you live and where the school is. In a city no, in small market town where people look out for each other yes. I would probably ask another mum to keep their eye on them.

Our breakfast club does, we get to school about 10 minutes early and I always see people going in at that time..

This isn't allowed below year 5 at our school, though I suspect that they might not notice if they don't draw attention to themselves as parents don't accompany them through the gate anyway. If it was allowed it would be reasonable safe at this school as there is a large green outside so they wouldn't be waiting anywhere near the road and have to pay attention to the quite frankly shocking driving and parking that goes on.
Saying that, you say DD will be joining him? If she's moving schools anyway would it not make more sense for her to go to youngest DS's school? In which case oldest DS is presumably either already year 5 or will be next year, and that would be fine at most schools.

What is the latest you can drop DS2 off at school? Can you not wait with older two until their gates open and then go to the second school? Although, I think your older two should be fine waiting for 5 minutes together, even outside the gate.

I would be more comfortable telling the other school you’ll be 5 minutes late dropping off your other child.

I was going to say it would be fine, but it sounds like the rules are different where you are.

A school mum friend was a teacher and had to be at her own school at drop-off time. Once her child was old enough not to need a breakfast club and could make the 5-minute walk on his own, she asked me if I would mind looking out for him each day and sending a quick text to say he had arrived at school safely. It was no issue for me as I was there every single day anyway, rain or shine. I’m sure that there will be other mums/dads in the class who are regularly there early and would be happy to keep an eye on your kids at the school gate for 10 minutes, assuming they’re not tearaways.

My son was walking himself to school at 8. He likes being early so he gets there before school starts and plays outside so I don’t see an issue with 2 kids having a few minutes on their own.

Do you trust them?
I could have done that with mine no problens. My youngest walked alone in Yr4 (although I had to pick her up)

I think you need to chat with a parent (or two) who would be happy to stay with your children for a few minutes while they wait with theirs.

I'd do it for you, especially if you were the kind to repay the favour, so I could ask you to cover the occasional pick up for me etc.

Ours would and did

My 9 year old walks to school by herself, if she sets off early and gets there before the gates open then she waits. This is allowed from yr 5 for my school, does yours have a similar rule?

As for the 8 year old - it’s not fair to leave them in the care of the 9 year old but if I was a parent who would have to be there waiting with my own child I wouldn’t mind watching someone else’s through the gate too - is there no friend you can ask to keep an eye on them?

Speak to both schools and see what they suggest, could be older kids can wait at reception for 5-10 mins or that younger one can be 5-10 mins late. What's happening at pick up. I personally wouldn't leave 8 and 9 year old alone. Person suggesting breakfast club is mad as their not gonna let 2 children come in 10 minutes before they finish, it would be too disruptive.

I don’t think you can just leave them - but I almost always take DS to school and would be happy to watch yours for a few minutes. Even if I didn’t really know you it would be fine for me, as long as I knew. Can you ask anyone - someone you know or just someone you see at the gate?

Not allowed at our primaries. You need to arrange childcare or breakfast club

I think it would be alright as there are two of them, you could always check with the school it's okay. If they say no you could try it because I'm sure they're not going to refuse to let your children in to school but probably safer to send them to breakfast club.
@littlemousebigcheese whats the school reason for that rule especially with 8 and 9 year olds? I can understand with younger children or even for picking up after school but in the morning it sounds excessive

Those saying too young, kids can walk to school age 8 where I live so would be perfectly fine.
I would (and did) do what you are suggesting OP

It’s not a luxury it’s the absolute bare minimum! Especially aged 6 and 7.