to expect after school care?

[BorisTrumpsHair]

I've been Googling and I can't find the information I need. I need help.

I'm SP work FT. 2 DC in primary school

I need to change my after school care (ASC) and was going to go back to using the schools after school facility. Our school uses a provision at another primary school (we are in London) and has a "walking bus" policy to get children there.

So today I contact the ASC provider to register them to be told they no longer collect children from my school and I have to get the kids there myself.

My school says the walking bus cost X amount and they can't afford it!!!

So now our school has no ASC. I thought they had a statutory duty to provide it but I can't find the relevant evidence I need - probably because I'm in a bit of a flap!!

It seems most of the families in our school have a SAHP and there are very few FT SP's like me. I feel so alone in this.

AIBU to expect the school to provide ASC? What is the statutory duty my school has?

[SoupDragon]

My school says the walking bus cost X amount and they can't afford it!!!

Surely the cost should/could be added onto the cost of the ASC.

[squeaver]

Could you see if there are any other parents in your situation - i.e. using the ASC at the other school - see what solutions they have come up with? Maybe they have a childminder you could share?

[squeaver]

Sorry - x-post, I can see that's not really an option.

[BoffinMum]

Advertise on Gumtree for someone to pick up the kids and bring them home and give them tea. Worked fabulously for us recently. I never thought it would but I had fantastic applications.

[chickenowner]

Getting angry with the school staff will not help.

If you try and talk to them they may have suggestions.

[m0therofdragons]

No duty to offer this. We don't have any and only 3 cms. I can't increase my hours as the childcare doesn't exist for my 3 dc.

[Sienna333]

After school nannies often work up till 7PM too. Your best bet is to go for that and maybe do a nanny share if you feel it would be too expensive to pay
for it alone.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

I am fairly certain there are childminders who care for children past 6pm. That is rather early. Most childminders are used because they are more flexible than nurseries which tend to end at 6.30.

I get you are annoyed but you need to get on the phone and ring round childminders (local authorities generally have a list) to check availability.

Why has your existing childminder decided she can no longer have your kids an extra 15 minutes?

[waterrat]

I always think that where there is a need there is someone who will fulfil that need for money!

Somewhere in your local area there will be a mum with older kids / grown up kids/ a grandmother - or a teenager at sixth form college - who will pick your kids up and bring them to your house.

or who will just walk them to the ASC for a few quid

Or a childminder who will take on the extra 15 mins.

You don't know who they are yet but they are out there!

first step - your local facebook group/childcare.co.uk/ a notice up in local cafe?

[kuniloofdooksa]

Our ASC only goes to 6pm. It's shared between 4 schools and has a walking-bus arrangement. I don't know of any ASCs that go past 6 tbh. Can you arrange to have a 15 minute shorter lunch and leave 15 minutes earlier?

[Mia1415]

I do feel for you OP. The only after school club in my town has a 2 year waiting list and I've had to change my hours at work to fit in with a childminder now my DS is at school.

[AlexsMum89]

I just want to offer my sympathies OP. I've been a single mum myself, working full time out of necessity and childcare can be an absolute nightmare.
Every option I've found seems to change frequently so my poor DS has been moved from club to club as they all shut down over the years.
Keep working on it, you'll find a solution xx

[gnushoes]

How old are your children? You might get a sixth-former to either walk them to the ASC or take them home for you?

[grasspigeons]

Can you pay someone to walk your child to the afternoon school club. A parent that is there anyway, or a child minder already picking up other children.

[BorisTrumpsHair]

Can you arrange to have a 15 minute shorter lunch and leave 15 minutes earlier?
I already leave an hour earlier than my colleagues.

Thanks to posters being sympathetic. I feel very alone in this and your sympathy is really what I need and appreciated.

I know how to sort out childcare FFS - I've been WORKING FT since DD1 was born.

It is harder now being single parent who WORKS out of the home..

What I am cross about is that our school has had ASC in place since well before my DC started at this school 6 years ago, and they have simply done away with it and not told anyone. It comes as a massive shock that they can do this.

[PerspicaciaTick]

I'm really surprised that the school has been taking any responsibilty for getting the children to their ASC, let alone spending school money on it. At our school, the ASC ran the walking bus and the parents paid for using it. Now the ASC has moved, they collect the chldren by minibus - and again, the parents pay to use the service.

[PerspicaciaTick]

BTW, how far is the walk? Do you know any other parents going in that direction who might be willing to drop your child at the ASC?

[Sofabitch]

Childminder?

I had to move my children's school to ome with an after school club. It wasnt ideal innthe short term but long term its working great.

[NapQueen]

As a lone parent you should be eligible for help towards your childcare costs - look online for alternative childminders who will be prepapred to work til 6.15 and see about getting tax credits to assist with the cost.

[BorisTrumpsHair]

I had to move my children's school to ome with an after school club

This is looking like my best option & is what I will probably do.
I am going to look at another school tomorrow. it offers lots of clubs and ASC, and a breakfast club too - not that I need that.

Paying £200 week for childcare is one of the main reasons we live in a one bed flat - it keeps me totally poor.

[BoomBoomBoomBoooom]

The only person who has a statutory duty of care after school hours for your children is you. Not the school and not the council. Your anger is misplaced. You have been very lucky to have had the previous situation as many don't have any option like it.

[BorisTrumpsHair]

I will never have tax credits again - check out the recent tax credit thread on MN for all the reasons why. Its govt enforced way to debt and financial hell.

i might sign up for the new scheme where you get a few quid form the govt towards childcare. But if it is anything like tax credits I won't do it.

[Mia1415]

NapQueen - not necessarily. I'm a single Mum and have never been entitled to tax credits.

[BorisTrumpsHair]

really boom OMG I never knew that???
So super helpful - fank you.

[BackieJerkhart]

Just wondering OP, do you work?

I can't believe that no CMers in your area work past 6pm! Where I am they are all very flexible.