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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep DS off school one day during his first week at primary?

53 replies

hollie84 · 07/09/2014 21:41

DS1 is starting school tomorrow - two weeks of half days before he goes full time!

However, I also work and accommodating all this faffing about is a total nightmare.

One day next week I just don't have anyone who can look after him for a half day and drop him at school etc. My only option is to drop the DC at my parents' house the night before, so they can stay there all day while I work.

AIBU to keep DS off school during his first week because childcare is too tricky otherwise?

OP posts:
Altinkum · 07/09/2014 21:43

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Lucie99 · 07/09/2014 21:44

I think so. Could you not take annual leave? Or couldn't your parents do the drop off/pick up?

BeerTricksPotter · 07/09/2014 21:45

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AgentProvocateur · 07/09/2014 21:45

I wouldn't. That's the time when they learn the rules and make friends. Surely you knew about the half days before now? Can you take unpaid leave to cover it?

Original poster
hollie84 · 07/09/2014 21:46

Can't take annual leave, and parents aren't able to drop off and pick up this week.

OP posts:
Tigresswoods · 07/09/2014 21:46

YANBU this stupid 2 week settling in period is doing my head in.

Do it.

Original poster
hollie84 · 07/09/2014 21:47

They have 2 weeks of half days to learn the rules and make friends though - is missing one 3 hour session going have much impact?

OP posts:
walkonthewildside · 07/09/2014 21:48

Can't your parents come to yours. and take him and pick him up from school?

BeerTricksPotter · 07/09/2014 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
hollie84 · 07/09/2014 21:51

No parents can't do it. Usually my mum would be able to cover that day but my nan had a fall and has a hospital appointment that day so my mum needs to be with her. My dad can have the children at his but lives in a different city and doesn't drive.

OP posts:
Original poster
hollie84 · 07/09/2014 21:53

I do find this long lead in completely ridiculous - DS wasn't in school at all last week and now has two weeks of half sessions, 2-3 hours at a time before doing a full day!

I absolutely cannot take any term time leave unfortunately.

OP posts:
Gileswithachainsaw · 07/09/2014 21:53

Do what you need to do. It must be very hard to juggle it all am with staggered starts. Especially when people have struggled all summer go get child care and then have another month of it with the reception starter. Don't stress just keep him.off at your parents

Coolas · 07/09/2014 21:54

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Alisvolatpropiis · 07/09/2014 21:55

He'll be in full time education for the next 14 years. A missed day doesn't make a blind bit of difference. Don't worry about it.

Original poster
hollie84 · 07/09/2014 21:56

Well I suppose I do have some options - if it was really vital for him to be there I'd have to pay for a childminder to have him or beg some childcare from friends.

OP posts:
SugarSkully · 07/09/2014 21:57

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willyfog · 07/09/2014 21:59

Legally I believe the school are supposed to offer places full time from the beginning. I know of parents who have refused to take their children part time and insisted the school keep them full time from the start. It is an option for you to tell the school that they need to keep him full time that day, but that of course might make your DS feel uncomfortable being the only child there.

DustyCropHopper · 07/09/2014 22:00

We had to take ds2 out for 2 days in his first week as dbil got married. It was unfortunate, but couldn't be helped. He coped fine with it.

Discobugsacha · 07/09/2014 22:05

I think they legally have to take them full time from the beginning. Tell them you will be picking up at 3.30 and you expect provision to be made!

These half day starts are ridiculous, especially as lots of children are in nursery 8-6pm from 6mo!

Original poster
hollie84 · 07/09/2014 22:05

Sugar - all the children will either be in for a couple of hours in the morning or a couple of hours in the afternoon, with a couple of hours gap in the middle, so even if they would keep DS for the full day I don't think it would be great for him.

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Coolas · 07/09/2014 22:07

This reply has been deleted

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karron · 07/09/2014 22:07

Are there other children at school all day or in the afternoon? If so ask if he can stay for the full day.

boodles · 07/09/2014 22:07

When my middle started school they did half days until the October half term! Nightmare.

Original poster
hollie84 · 07/09/2014 22:10

Coolas - it would be quite tricky to arrange one off care for DS1, and also get DS2 to and from my dad's. I'd only want to do it if it was really necessary.

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 07/09/2014 22:11

for my eldest two children they were mornings only until Easter!

he'll be fine missing a day, don't worry about it :) I'd be honest with the school about why though. That way he can't drop you in it by saying where he's been!