we've been late twice last term. We have had a huge change in circumstance and I haven't adapted as well as I would normally, due to some health shit going on and general failure to keep plates spinning. Also this term I have been off night shift late, and I had the car.....there was really no way around this one! No buses, no taxi as I had the car seats. Couldn't leave my patient. What can you do?
But if we are running late we rush like mad, I arrive with unbrushed hair and no make up and looking like I just got out of bed (which I did) and anything I have forgotten gets dropped off at school asap. Younger siblings are in pj's and the school child is fed watered but looks somewhat unkempt.
I know the 3 families that are late most days in our class. One is late but her parents drop her off together, in their car (left parked in the bus stop 
) and they are always showered, makeup, hair perfect and really lovely outfits. They are super fashion people and their kids are also perfect hair etc. They, I would say, need to re prioritize.
Or maybe they have an sn issue that scuppers their super organised approach - or domestic issues. who can say? A controlling husband or some other unpredictable scenario.
What is interesting is that they are never ever late for the after school stuff, the activities that we pay for and that you just don't get let in to if you are late. So perhaps that is telling. But perhaps not. We never know what goes on behind closed doors.
I have made us knowingly JUST on time by refusing to park int he wrong place. It does bug me that others feel that they are late, so therefore can abandon car anywhere they like.
Another family is essentially chaotic and has issues with another child. The child is older and may/may not have sn issues, but at any rate the family get little/broken sleep and things often unravel for the. That child is late every single day except a few. Often has totally inappropriate clothes on (anorak in snow and ankle socks) or a lunch bag that is empty. I feel desperately sorry for her and all of them.
We have close links with a school in a very very very deprived area. It was one of the first to offer a free breakfast club. Reason - the staff noticed no matter how early they got there there was always a child or two waiting at the gate for 8.30 gate open time. So they got there mega early to see how children were arriving - 6.30 to 7am. This is primary and the children just had to wait by the gates
It is because many of the mums had temporary seasonal work and had to start at 7am and simply had nowhere to put their children. So now the school opens and is warm and offers a free breakfast and a tv. They fund a ta to essentially babysit them. The school has about 25% leaving/joining each term, imagine.
We truly have no idea what goes on.