No access to wraparound care, what next?

[Chattenoire]

Just started a new job and my DS just started reception in the same week. School told us their wraparound care was super flexible but it turns out there are no available spaces (some days). We have no family nor friends that can help. There will be times when neither DH nor I can make it to school at a normal time (but can get there earlier). Is it acceptable to ask school to let our DS leave early for those days? Wouldn't be very often and would get him around 230.

I mean I definitely don’t think the school will agree!! I think your only option is to either beg for a place in the after school club, or to find a childminder who can fill the gap. Or change jobs. It’s crap yes but I can’t imagine the school allowing reduced hours. I thought they fined people for absence in the uk!

I might be being dence here but I'm really not sure how you can get him early some days but not get him at normal collection time? What are you doing with him once he's been collected?

When does he turn 5? He doesn't officially start school until then, so you'd be able to remove him without issue.

Schools from my experience, tend to sell the virtues of their wraparound care without saying that access to it goes to existing users then other students already at school who want to use it then to the new Foundation intake. It will improve from Year 1 so long as some year 6s leave creating gaps for the days you want.

I've asked in local FB groups and there's no availability either. It wouldn't be permanent just for this term as we now have access to the wraparound booking system.

I think you might be able to initially, but not as a long term option. It would be unsettling for your child because some days would be early others later - and there'll be some days when she will be annoyed at being picked up early, and others when her peers will be unsettled by her leaving early. What I suggest you do is look for a child minder who can have her before and after school - or even an au pair?

Late October.

For the PP he'd be at home with me. Work doesn't mind having children in the background or even doing the school runs as long as it doesn't clash with important meetings. Which is why it wouldn't be that often

Well, first thing would be to put your name down for the waiting list.

In the meantime, you'll need to look at a local childminder.

Some private day nurseries also offer after school care & will collect so have a look at some of those near to school.

I don't think you can collect early! It wouldn't have even entered into mind as a solution.

Even if you can get onto the booking system next term, are you sure there are spaces for the days you need?

There is no availability with childminders either! His nursery does offer after school but no collection so that's not very helpful.

Talk to the school office and explain the issue. They may be able to suggest something.

If your child is under 5 you could collect him but it would be very disruptive. Have you talked to the other mums? Is there a mum who will collect your dc with her children for a small fee?

Have you explained the issue to your boss? What about grand parents or your siblings?

Given you have just started a new job, it might be on your DH to cover this until a permanent solution is found.

You’ll have to get a short term nanny.

Any students living on your street? One of my elderly neighbours does a school run for another neighbour, for example!

I thought that, although you could choose to delay the start of school if not yet 5, you couldn’t pick and choose attendance if you did enrol?

If I have a meeting that coincides with drop-off or collection @Chattenoire I simply just take my laptop to the car with me or I can log on through zoom on my phone and where my AirPod. Would this be an option?

This is when that annoying 'village' term actually starts to become relevant!

You need to find out who lives near enough to you that they could help with the occasional school run, and befriend that person! I would (and do) do this sort of thing for other parents, and other parents do it for me. You need to find your people!

I don't know for sure, but my plan is to book everything I can and then cancel as needed.

Sorry - I meant, does the club give priority to existing attendees?

At my primary school, the spaces weren’t a free for all, people in the club already got their chance to send the forms in first.

Are you using the club some days already?

Have you or your DH put in a flexible working request to your employers?

Annoyingly we didn't choose our "village" school because of the wraparound care!

Normally I would just be on the call and pretend to be there while I do the school run BUT it's a new job, and I'm a head of department so my input is needed.

@Chattenoire oh no, that is annoying! Look for a sixth former or college student, if it's a walk and not a drive home?

If you are head of department, then plan the meetings around us that’s what my boss does and also accommodate us for our drop off collection times. It’s very easily done.

That's definitely my plan! But the "problematic" ones are the ones with the MDs.

It's a drive too, so it has to be someone who drives.

Personally no I don't think it is acceptable to pick him up earlier because you can't get childcare. You or DH need to reduce your hours or submit a flexible working request to accommodate picking up on time. Reception is incredible important for developing friendships, learning how school works and getting everyone to a standard ready for year 1.
I also would rely on booking everything and cancelling what you don't need on the wrap around care. Ours has to be paid for and confirmed a term in advance, and although flexibility if we were to do what you propose we wouldn't get money back for cancelled sessions and potentially banned from block booking sessions as you don't need them all the time.

How would.missing 30 mins like once a month be detrimental?

The system works in a way that it's refunded as credit, so we'd just keep reusing it.

My DH has the most flexibility but there will be times when apparently he can't leave early at all.

Obviously I'd rather he'd stay in wraparound care, but given the lack of availability I don't think what else I can do. We can't afford to lose my new job either.

I think, since you are new, your DH should plan his meeting schedule so that he can pick up until you find another solution. Alternatively, are there other clubs after school you can sign your child up to? Like a netball club, dance or chess. Whatever they have. They aren't always run by the ASC but you will then be able to collect 30-60 minutes later if that helps.