AIBU to think this is a bit much to ask for school run?

If they don’t want to pay for breakfast club, they can pay you.

The fact they’ve even asked without offering something reciprocal is a massive red flag. They just need to book breakfast club for their child like every single other parent who can’t take their child in the mornings.

This! Absolutely no chance I’d agree to this - they are basically using you as an unpaid childminder OP!

You already pick their child up from school. Is that for 3 days a week or 5 days a week?

My neighbour asked similar of me back in the day.

I think was 2 days per week but she pitched it to me like a job and offered to pay me.

Her son was no bother and I was walking to school anyway and the extra money was handy so I really didn't mind but I think the problem for you is that it's 3 days and you are being made to feel obligated.
It really is up to you though. If you're not comfortable with it you have to say.

Does your school have breakfast club?
X

I think there's a difference between 'neighbours' and 'friends who live next door'. If they are friends that I'd be keen to help but if it's just a case of you being neighbours then possibly not?

Your OP and updates are still a tad confusing though - what time will the child be dropped off in the morning and do you always do picks up for them every week? Just not very clear.

It sounds like a bizarre situation. So they have 3 kids, one of school age who they want to leave with you (how early? Will it simply be a case of having the child as soon as you need to go or them sending them round at 8 but you don't leave til 8.30?).

Will the other two children then simply go with dad in the car?

What happens at the end of the day? Do they all then go to collect mum?

I think this is a risky move. How soon til the next child starts school? As at this rate you will end up with your eldest, their eldest and middle plus your toddler!

Edited to add, I missed that you already pick the child up. The whole situation sounds ridiculous. Why can't mum drive, walk or get public transport?

Why is their childcare and inability to manage the kids they chose to have your issue?
Why is it easier for you to pick up 2 kids with one toddler than for him to pick up 1 kid with 2 toddlers?
The oddest part of this is that you are considering doing it.

So you’d be doing ALL the pick ups and also the drop off 3 mornings a week?
Without being laid

But somehow tge dad can’t reciprocate because he already has 2 other dcs? And? Surely going from 3 to 4 won’t be that hard right?

They are thinking you’re a mug Abx a great unpaid childminder.
Tyatbsort of arrangement work well when it’s reciprocal. That’s what helping each other means.
In your case you’re helping them. At your own disadvantage. But you get nothing back. Not good

It will be weeks before they complain that you can’t do it one day or that they start extending the time in the morning or just assume you will do the pick up as well. People like this are never grateful and they just stretch people’s good will.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable committing to this, if the children bicker, fall out or you just want to one with your own child in the mornings.
it wouldn’t work for me. I had to coax my own children all the way to the school door.
I would feel awkward saying no as it is your neighbour. She was cheeky to ask.

So you’d basically be doing most of their school pick ups and drop offs? I’d say no, it’s too much. Say you don’t mind helping morning an emergency but you can’t do more than you’re already doing.

I wouldn’t have an issue with this, however I’d want the finer details agreed prior to starting anything, such as confirming the drop off time and that she’ll have had breakfast prior to arriving, and what their contingency plans are for any days you’re unable to do it, such as holidays, or if your own child is unwell and can’t attend school as you obviously won’t want to have to bundle an unwell child out of the house just to drop hers off.

Unsure this is allowed. Seem to remember Ofsted clamping down on stuff like this :(

Most schools offer free breakfast club now for working parents. They shouldn’t be imposing on your very busy mornings trying to get your own kids out the door. I would just be honest and say ‘it’s chaos in the morning as it is, I’m just not going to be able to manage 3 no matter how well behaved their little one is, so sorry I can’t help you guys with this.’

I would agree only on the basis that they agree to a reciprocal arrangement. Even if you know they couldn't agree to pick-ups, ask for this. I wouldn't assume they couldn't make adjustments - they might, in which case it's win-win, or they ditch the whole scenario and sort out drop off themselves.

I'd say you're happy to help in case of emergency - but you've your own little one to sort out in the morning as well (doesn't matter if they have two) to make a definite commitment for three days every week to drop off.

I'd avoid mentioning the lack of driving on the Mum's part.

Op I'd say 'No sorry, I'm bad enough trying to get me and my kids out the door in the morning'
This could end up being a commitment for the next 10 or 11 years.
Once you start it will be hard to stop.

Another crazy thing is if your trying to do the dentist or anything at 9.00 you'd still be expected to take their kid to school

And it's bad enough trying to do the 8am doctors calls without someone else's kids in the house.

“I’m so sorry, our house is really chaotic in the mornings and this really wouldn’t work for us. I’m still happy to drop to school on occasion as we have previously done and I do hope you can work something out.”

This is too much IMO. If it was an occasional thing eg emergency then that is different. What you have been asked is cheeky!

She is doing it to save £. and needs a long term plan eg breakfast club /childminder .

Yes, you are doing the school run, but it is not the point. The other child could distract/slow down your own child's routine etc.

Also, worst case and something happens it could be difficult having to face them everyday eg if the child got injured / accident etc.

Opens a can of worms !

I loved my mornings with my two children before school. The idea of neighbour’s child in the mix? Nope.

Not a chance. What happens when you are ill? What happens if your child is ill? I also wouldn't want to commit myself to 3 days a week.

I actually don’t understand why having their other 2 dc is an issue? Space in the car or something?

TBH I dont see it as cheeky, as she is your neighbour and kids go to the same school,

I see you are saying they won't be able to reciprocate , but Im sure they can in other ways.

As a child mum had a car, she would load all the kids in and drop them in the winter, but then when she was going to be home late from work, there was a neighbour who would take us in till she got in

or if there was an emergency ( nan needing help and only mum at home,) a neighbour would take us till she got back

Ok so Im going back a few years where we talked to neighbours and shared with them. Where we knew who was on nights so to keep the noise down, where all kids in the street were invited to the party

That still doesn't make sense. There is no reason not to put a car seat in the front. Even if it's one of the old children in it.

Yes this struck me too! Fine for you to manage three but he can’t? I know quite a few people (women) who have to manage more than one younger child on school pick-up. They just get on with it.