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Original poster

One child ill. One not ill . Both off school

30 replies

Cookiecrumble22 · 09/05/2022 10:28

I'm just wondering something. I have a 6 and 7 year old. If one is ill. And needs to stay home from school then I'm not able to get the other child to school. So they both end up off school. It takes 40 or so mins to get to the school. By public transport. I don't really talk to the other parents just the small talk for a min or 2. Plus they live close to the school. So Im well out of the way for a parent to help out. I don't have any friends or family that can help.

It seems to come under compassionate absence. With a note saying sibling ill . Ect.

I'm just wondering if other people have to do similar if you have (no one) to help.

OP posts:
blinkybilll · 09/05/2022 10:31

If there's literally no way at all you can get the other child there then I suppose there's no way around it.

Is there anyone who can sit with the ill child During school run times? Neighbour, friend?

Could the ill child manage the journey knowing they will get the rest of the day to rest?

Floralnomad · 09/05/2022 10:33

Could you not just take a taxi on those days , hopefully it won’t be too often .

namechange30455 · 09/05/2022 10:33

Is there a reason that they at a school that takes you 40 mins to get to?

I assume you're a single parent?

I think as long as they're not off ill too often this isn't a huge problem tbh.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

7 year olds Families
SleepingStandingUp · 09/05/2022 10:34

How far are you physically? 40 minutes by public transport might only be a shop hop by car so potentially a taxi there and back if it was an important day / depending on the illness.

But reasonably speaking, there's not much else you can do.

I presume school are aware?

Is there any scope to move to a school closer to home?

SleepingStandingUp · 09/05/2022 10:36

blinkybilll · 09/05/2022 10:31

If there's literally no way at all you can get the other child there then I suppose there's no way around it.

Is there anyone who can sit with the ill child During school run times? Neighbour, friend?

Could the ill child manage the journey knowing they will get the rest of the day to rest?

I imagine the issue tho is a 1 1/2 - 2 hour journey with a kid who's pukey, poopey or contagious of something we try to not spread about.

NoSquirrels · 09/05/2022 10:36

No scope to move closer to your DC’s school, OP? Living so far away with no support system and not being a driver too is putting you and your children in an unideal situation, really.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/05/2022 10:39

I would let the school know OP, there might be a member of staff who lives nearby or is passing who is able to help or they might just write it off as one of those things. Loads of people must be in the same boat,you won't be the first.

TheMostAnnoyin · 09/05/2022 10:39

Sounds like it’s the only option in those circumstances and you’re obviously doing the best you can. Some things are unavoidable.

Could you explain to the school maybe they can set online work for the well child ?

i know from a relative who works in a school as well that on occasion she’s had to get a taxi to collect a child to bring in then take home at end of the day as the mum was unwell and they lived over a certain distance from school - could this be a option might be worth asking

Hollygolightly86 · 09/05/2022 10:41

That’s an awkward situation, I had a similar situation but it was myself that was unwell, DH left for work early & DSS couldn’t take her otherwise it would make him late for school, the school were really understanding & sent a teacher to pick her up/bring her home for the week I couldn’t get there but I do only live a 15 min walk away so that’s probably not an option for you. If it’s just a day or so I expect the school would understand but any longer & I would think they’d expect you to find a solution, taxi possibly although I understand it would be expensive

ItsSnowJokes · 09/05/2022 10:42

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/05/2022 10:39

I would let the school know OP, there might be a member of staff who lives nearby or is passing who is able to help or they might just write it off as one of those things. Loads of people must be in the same boat,you won't be the first.

No member of staff will pick them up for safeguarding reasons. It would take 2 members of staff to do this to protect themselves and the child. Also they would need car seats and if OP doesn't have a car they may not have car seats.

Original poster
Cookiecrumble22 · 09/05/2022 10:46

They are not actually off at I type. I was just reflecting on times one has been ill. And I'm waiting one to get chicken pox. As he was near a child that had it before we knew he had it. So I was just thinking about it generally really. I guess it must he a common thing .

I won't change their school. They love it so much . One has special needs and I would not want a school move to cause any upset its a lovely school as well. So I don't mind the travel at all.

OP posts:
Hollygolightly86 · 09/05/2022 10:47

ItsSnowJokes · 09/05/2022 10:42

No member of staff will pick them up for safeguarding reasons. It would take 2 members of staff to do this to protect themselves and the child. Also they would need car seats and if OP doesn't have a car they may not have car seats.

Show quote history

2 teachers came to pick up my DD when I couldn’t get her there, 1 TA & a SEN teacher, she took her booster seat with her. I live so close to the school (2/3 min drive) so it wasn’t too much of an issue for her school but not sure it’s a standard procedure very much at their discretion

Luculentus · 09/05/2022 10:48

How far away from the school are you? Might you be entitled to free school transport?

Hollygolightly86 · 09/05/2022 10:51

Cookiecrumble22 · 09/05/2022 10:46

They are not actually off at I type. I was just reflecting on times one has been ill. And I'm waiting one to get chicken pox. As he was near a child that had it before we knew he had it. So I was just thinking about it generally really. I guess it must he a common thing .

I won't change their school. They love it so much . One has special needs and I would not want a school move to cause any upset its a lovely school as well. So I don't mind the travel at all.

Maybe just send them an email & ask what they recommend you do in that circumstance just so you know what they expect/how much help they provide. Worth knowing as I doubt the only parent who may be in that situation

Original poster
Cookiecrumble22 · 09/05/2022 10:51

TheMostAnnoyin · 09/05/2022 10:39

Sounds like it’s the only option in those circumstances and you’re obviously doing the best you can. Some things are unavoidable.

Could you explain to the school maybe they can set online work for the well child ?

i know from a relative who works in a school as well that on occasion she’s had to get a taxi to collect a child to bring in then take home at end of the day as the mum was unwell and they lived over a certain distance from school - could this be a option might be worth asking

I don't think that's allowed round here 🤔 I would never do that anyway . I'm telling my child to get into a car with a stranger.

OP posts:
TheMostAnnoyin · 09/05/2022 10:55

Cookiecrumble22 · 09/05/2022 10:51

I don't think that's allowed round here 🤔 I would never do that anyway . I'm telling my child to get into a car with a stranger.

Show quote history

Not a stranger ?? The member of staff (my relative ) went in the taxi too

TheMostAnnoyin · 09/05/2022 10:57

If one child has SEN would you be eligible for school transport
for child without SEN as it’s primary you may be eligible due to distance as well for them there will be details on your LA website

Original poster
Cookiecrumble22 · 09/05/2022 11:02

TheMostAnnoyin · 09/05/2022 10:55

Not a stranger ?? The member of staff (my relative ) went in the taxi too

Show quote history

Oh sorry I misread. I have never Been offered anything like that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cookiecrumble22 · 09/05/2022 11:06

TheMostAnnoyin · 09/05/2022 10:57

If one child has SEN would you be eligible for school transport
for child without SEN as it’s primary you may be eligible due to distance as well for them there will be details on your LA website

He does not have an actual echp just yet we are waiting on the decision. I will look though. I know someone who's child has special needs and should could not get transport for her child . I will have a look.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 09/05/2022 11:10

You would need to prove it was the closest school that could meet needs to be eligible for transport. It sounds like it is your choice not to move them so I don’t think you would get transport

Original poster
Cookiecrumble22 · 09/05/2022 11:30

Sirzy · 09/05/2022 11:10

You would need to prove it was the closest school that could meet needs to be eligible for transport. It sounds like it is your choice not to move them so I don’t think you would get transport

I see. I did not expect to get it to be honest . Never really thought about it until it was mentioned on this thread. I don't struggle daily or anything like that.

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 09/05/2022 11:44

Op did you pick this school then move, get given this school against your choice but you're now settled, or choose a school this far away because you liked it?
Is moving closer an option?

BertieBotts · 09/05/2022 11:45

It will be a short lived stage in between. If you have a big buggy, you might be able to fit a small 6yo in it with blankets etc to take them along for the ride (but might be past this point)

Then once they are a couple of years older you can leave one at home or let the eldest make their own way.

Are there any other school families that live near you who could take your DC with theirs on the odd occasion? You could pay them back with babysitting rather than lifts.

Original poster
Cookiecrumble22 · 09/05/2022 11:58

SleepingStandingUp · 09/05/2022 11:44

Op did you pick this school then move, get given this school against your choice but you're now settled, or choose a school this far away because you liked it?
Is moving closer an option?

I used to live close to the school it was my closest. Also had older children there so have used the school for many years.

Moving is not an option.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 09/05/2022 12:04

Have you thought about what you would do if you are ill? I remember having a day off school once because my mum had a virus and couldn't drive DSis and I to school. It was a leading factor in her decision to move us to a closer school.