To wonder how parents wll cope on Wednesday...

[WhereMyMilk]

So had email from school-is definitely shutting on wednesday for strike. DH tells me that at work (NHS) they've been told that they need to sort out childcare for that day, as apart from those involved with strike, no-one is to have annual leave to cover child care. Those who had booked it,it is cancelled. No-one is allowed to be off sick, without a Dr's note to cover, even though it's just one day, which you can normally self certificate for.
What do they think parents can do with 6days notice?
Anyone else had this?

IMO if the country is going to (supposedly) lose a quarter of a billion pounds on Wednesday due to strikes and schools being closed so Parents will be at home - SURELY the Government MUST realise that if safe, secure, decent, well managed child care facilities are available, that don't take all or most of your wages - most people would work more.

I certainly would. I'm currently a SAHM because I would literally be working to pay for the childcare while I was at work!

Going to start studying (another story)

Better for families, better for country

Strike is Wednesday gallicgirl?

I won't know what I'm doing till that day. If my kids are off, I'm not allowed to take them to work and have no childcare.
They aren't allowed to provide cover for staff that are striking so really wonder how NHS will manage

Luckily I'm part time at the moment and not working Wednesday. At present its not clear if there will be a strike. If there is 3 of us are planning to get together and run a sort of day care - we reckon we can manage our own children plus another 8 between us. It won't be a huge help but we hope it will give some of the parents working that day some help.

Sorry that should say its not clear if DDs school will be striking (obviously there will be a strike unless there is a turn round in negotiations)

Actually gallicgirl the 30th is Wednesday.
And yes, Iwish, it has been "on the cards" for a long time, but how many have booked childcare on a maybe we'll strike maybe we won't. School has only decided today, as they don't know who will turn up on the day, so have closed for safety.
For what it's worth, am completely in support, was just wondering how all will cope with the ramifications.

Wheremymilk, it'll be a nightmare for all. But that's the point, isn't it? I just doubt it'll help.

Me too Grockle, fingers crossed, though my cynical side worries :(

I suspect what will happen is that the mums who have emergency childcare or who are SAHMs will suddenly become VERY popular with the parents without childcare...

After all if one teacher can coral 30 kids day-to-day, then 10 or so should be no problem just for the one day?? LOL!

(Actually I should probably point out that my kids have the day off and I'm one of those who can juggle work so I can take the day off - we have 4 other kids coming over and we're going to have a lovely day together. In fact it's easier for me because they'll all keep each other entertained!)

Our workplace (NHS) is honouring any annual leave that was booked before a certain date (sorry I can't remember what the precise date is, but it's around the time that unions announced that formal ballots were to take place). The date is significantly after the time that strike action was first reported in the press, so any parents who thought ahead booked the day off "just in case".

I have friends who work in other professions whose employers have taken the same stance.

As it turns out, the preplanning was unnecessary as we'll all be striking in my department. They can now chose to keep the day as annual leave and be paid, or cancel the annual leave and strike but lose a days pay.

What I'm trying to say is that with a bit of foreward planning, a lot of people wouldn't be having a last minute panic.

Grockle and Wheremymilk - I agree that a single day of strike action is unlikely to have much of an effect.

I know that amongst my colleagues, the strength of feeling is such that we'd be prepared to strike again for longer to get our voices heard.

I'm going to be done out of a lot of money in childcare fees. I personally think the unions should foot the bill for all the extra childcare costs. They earn enough!

I think they'll cope fine on Wednesday........the strike day is Thursday though which may not go quite as easily....... wink

No it's not!!

IWish - I think you are right. Which is why this is my second day of striking this year. I feel terribly guilty about it in a way (inconveniencing parents) but feel strongly about the Pensions and the shitty way public sector workers are treated in general.

I'm lucky in that I'm at home on the day. Both DCs schools are closed, but the letter from DD's secondary has highlighted that they are putting some work on Fronter for those with access to the Internet.

DD's face dropped like a stone when I read THAT bit out

I still don't know if either of my DCs schools will be open. I know on the last strike we were given letters the day before (ie at the end of the day), but it had been in the press and DH took leave to cover.

My work (NHS) doesn't know how many people are striking (I don't work Wednesdays) but by law workers can let them know on the day, so they have to be prepared.

What could happen is we go to school only to be told it's closed.

I'm a bit because from what I've seen and read loads of people have been notified.

LordOfTheFlies some schools make the decision early because of needing adequate time to cancel busses, meals etc. DS's letter came at the start of the week, and DD's letter today.

Have just advertised them for the day on Facebook. One down, one to go :)

cat64 - what difference does that make? It's still the case that 82% of the population are parents. Not all will be requiring childcare at the same time, but the same is true of the population's use of the NHS, and that's generally accepted as being a good thing.

Same applies to schools. Every single one of us (bar the home educated) has been through the school system, though not at the same time.

Can I offer some practical solutions

1. If you work part-time ask your employer if you can swap days
2. If there are two primary carers of children in the same job one of you offer to work the morning (whilst the other cares the children) and then swap for the afternoon.
3. Many local authorities seem to be offering special day camps (about £17 in my area which seems very fair
4. Ask your employer to work extra hours during the week and then to make up for a day off during the week
5. Plan meetings around the strike day. We knew about this ages ago to be fair
6. Ask other primary cares for help.
7. If your school has an after school club ask if they will open for longer. If there is enough interest they are likely to do this

Its only one day we had worse when it snowed.

"I think they'll cope fine on Wednesday........the strike day is Thursday though which may not go quite as easily....... wink

No it's not!!"

Totally had it in my head that it was Thursday!! Thanks ladies.

I'm on maternity leave so doesn't affect me this time but I would have looked foolish turning up to support the day after the strike.

jollydiane
about the after school club being open longer.

Our school has cancelled its before and after school clubs.
Which does make me think they will be closed. (That's the Junior School)

But no word from Secondary either.

Still I suppose for the strike to have most impact it has to cause most inconvenience. Otherwise it'll go un-noticed

Apparently its been on the news today (I havent seen it) that the government want parents to take their children to work with them if their schools are closed!!
Love this idea. If work were a child friendly place, I wouldnt be unemployed!