To be cheesed off with the childminder cars?

[WelshMaenad]

Bit of background - dd is in primary, she's six. She has CP and mobility issues. School is set on quite a steep hill and very busy road outside often resulting in a long walk to gates then very steep hill then steps to infant door. Very early in in dd's school career we established that this was really hard on dd and was causing her a lot of discomfort so we were given permission to bring the car into school grounds so she only had the steps to tackle. This has been a godsend.

The staff car park where we park is quite busy. I have quite a large estate car, out if necessity as dd sometimes uses a wheelchair. We need quite a large area to open the door to get her in, I was told before they marked out spaces that they were going to designate a couple of disabled spaces but they didn't, and the spaces are so ridiculously narrow that I can't park in them if I want to get her in the car. However, I've been using a spot at the far end which is wider, and this is fine as long as nobody parks opposite it, because I then can't get out! There area couple of other parents (both themselves disabled) that also drive into school and we all try to be considerate of one another.

However, the HT has taken to allowing childminders into the car park. No mobility issues, just 'easier' as they can leave their small mindees in the car whilst they pick up. One in particular (one small mindee plus two school pickups, no more than many parents manage!) has taken to abandoning her people carrier at the far end if the car park do I can't get into the accessible space. Yesterday there was literally nowhere for me to park, luckily DH was with me and went to get dd whilst I waited in the middle if the car park then reversed out (bloody awkward) as I couldn't even turn around.

It is fucking me off to the far end if fuck that mine and dd's lives are being made awkward for the sake of sheer laziness. However, I don't know how to brunch this with anyone without sounding churlish and entitled, and I really don't mean to sound churlish and entitled, I just want to be able to get my kid into school safely and painlessly without it being a complete nightmare. AIBU?

[festivelyfocussed]

i think you should speak to the HT. Maybe they can arrnge for you to have a protected space. I would hope that's available for a child with a physical disability.

[Journey]

I think the school needs a disabled space and also a few spaces for nursery drop offs.

I don't understand why priority is given to staff car parking. Why do staff need the privilege of being able to park at the school? Why can't they walk a small distance to the school? I think it is a bit contrary when they go on about how kids need exercise but take their car right up to the school door. Surely a couple of staff spaces could go towards a disabled space.

[Journey]

I don't think you should speak to the childminder. It is the ht you need to speak to. I think it is shocking that schools don't all have a disabled space.

[Rudolphstolemycarrots]

speak tot he secretary who can tell CM where to park.

[Rudolphstolemycarrots]

get there earlier?

[quoteunquote]

www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/messageboards/NF2322273?thread=6396109

uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081022014103AAFDuIG

[threesocksfullofchocs]

I would speak to the school and get them to have a couple of disabled bays, i have a feeling that they should anyway.

[BackforGood]

I'm with those who would not be happy about the CM leaving LOs in the car while she went into the playground. What I choose for my own children is my risk assessment, but when you are caring for other peoples children, you HAVE to follow the rules. I would not be happy if I found any CM employed by me was doing this.
Nor can I see why the CM should feel entitled to a parking space because she's a CM, as opposed to being "just" a parent who is just as likely to have other younger siblings there.
You do need to talk to the HT though about the issues that are occurring, as otherwise he's not going to know is he ?
That said, I can't see why you all need a parking space ina staff car park, if you are just there at drop off / collection, surely you can just block the teachers' cars in, as they are not likely to be moving at that time of day.

[thebody]

Hi op. I was a cm for years and its absolutely not acceptable for a cm to leave children unattended in a car for ANY amount if time.

The cm could loose her ofsted reg if this is what she is doing and I am amazed that the HT is colluding in this.

I think the school is legally required to provide disabled parking space and you need to put this in writing to the HT and governors.

Your child is entitled to priority here as its her legal right to revive an education and to access this.

You shouldn't have to beg, leave early or negotiate for this.

Hope you get this sorted op and your daughter is ok.

[DayShiftDoris]

Definitely speak to the HT and I would take along the OFSTED regulations for CM which state they shouldn't be out of sight.

If it continues or he can not see your point then I would escalate it to the Governing body.