Would you do this? Let DD come home when you're not there?

[Haypyrexic]

DD is 8. DS has been offered a time slot for a therapy which is in a different town. It counts as a school lesson so would be compulsory for a year if I agree to it.

The therapy ends at half past and if he is out exactly on time we would just (barring any unforeseen problems like train barriers being down, DS being late out or needing the loo) be able to get the :46 bus, arriving at :50 in our town. Then a 5 minute walk home.

DD finishes school at quarter to, has a two minute walk home.

If we miss the bus, next would be at :20 and I would not be able to contact DD.

She's not allowed a phone in school.
I could potentially ask the neighbour but her baby is due in September.

No, DS can't go alone.

No, I can't get the bus back to pick DD and then get the bus to pick up DS and then get the bus home as there simply isn't time.

Enrolment for after school club was two months ago (and we can't afford it really.)

And yes, what if they restrict public transport again in the autumn?

I would ask the school if there is anything they can do to support you, if they can’t and you cannot arrange alternative childcare then I would say you need to find a different therapy slot.

She's not allowed a phone in school.

Explain the situation. Most primary schools won't allow children to have a phone in school but will let them hand one in at the start of the day (to get back at the end).

Can't you ask one of DD's friend parents to wait with her in the playground/take her home for the short period it will be?

Honestly I'm tired of ferrying from one therapy to the other. It has been so nice to have it all cancelled recently! I'm dreading it starting. I'm tempted to tell the school I've done enough running around getting him to their extra compulsory lessons and if they want him to go, they have to sort us a taxi.

I was walking home from school to an empty house at that age. I know things are different now. I knoew which neighbours I could go to and I could phone my mum's work if I had to.

So if the busses all work your DD will be home alone for 10 mins, if not then she would be home alone for 30 mins?

Is that right?

A lot depends on the child but if you can incorporate a number of 'safety nets' eg get her a phone (do you have a landline?) with a list of contacts and soemwhere to go if anything happens or she just doesn't want to be alone.

Could she stay in school? Either with you collectiung her on your way home or with someone to walk hime with her? Maybe a TA? I know that's not part of the job but I'm thinking more that you could pay a TA to walk her home and wait once a week, or maybe another parent.

Hang on, are you suggesting that you travel with DS who is older, leaving younger DD to go home on her own?

One child has a 2 min walk, the other has an appointment in a different town.

If the bus is only a 4 minute journey can't you just get a taxi straight to your daughters school. For that journey it should be cheap.

Can she not go to after school club just for that day?

Taxi is £20 each way. I can't afford that each week.

@Haypyrexic
If this is something during school hours, mandatory by the school then the LA should
be providing transport to and from it.
I’d contact the school transport team at your local council, the area I’m in would definitely provide transport.

What is a mandatory therapy required by school?

£20 for a 5 minute journey?

Yep, it's extortionate. I had to do it a once when I was injured and couldn't walk or get anyone to take him.

Speech therapy.

Taxi only needed one way. Not much different in price to after-school club.

@wantmorenow
OP can’t afford £20

Wow. I thought cab fares were regulated by the local authority? £20 seems way over what's permitted!

Where I live taxi tariffs are set by local council and they set and seal the meter.
Please do enquire about school transport, it’s very likely you would be eligible.

Sorry misread. Thought difference between after-school club fees and taxi was less.
Some taxi firms offer a huge discount for regular pre-booked trips. Worth a chat with a local firm.

See if the therapist will delivery the therapy via FaceTime or Zoom. Most NHS and private therapists are successfully doing so during lockdown.

if the bus is only 4 mins journey then can dd wait at school for an extra 5 mins till you get there? she could use the loo and then faff with her bag etc my ds's often took up to 10 mins to actually get out of school.

Only just 8 years old is a year three or primary 2 child. What school would allow a child so young to walk home alone? My DS's school don't allow that until year 5.

Only just 8 is p3.

Sorry, its a no from me too. I have a very sensible 8 year old but it's just too young in my opinion. Sorry

And my just turned 8 yr old will be allowed to walk home from August, in P4. (I won’t be letting them yet.)

Absolutely not.