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?

[chloworm]

Affordable accessible adequate wrap around childcare is vital and I can't magic it out of thin air.

This

Sometimes it's just not available. Feel for you OP.

[BorisTrumpsHair]

My dc could see I was upset when I collected them. They are practically begging me to change schools. Lots of changes at our school lately - losing walking bus is just one in a long line of changes - and they have gone from loving school to not really liking it at all. A change though not ideal, may not be such a bad idea.

So hopefully the school I have in mind has places and all will be resolved.

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

I think knowing that there is no statutory duty helps / you WILL find a solution some how some way

Either a parent who wants cash in hand , or someone who will take them to after school for you - or you move

I feel for you and you WILL find a way

[arethereanyleftatall]

I reckon there's a big business opportunity here.
There's loads of people who just want a little job (my retired mother for example, students, sahp with babies etc).
And there's loads of people who just want a half hours help like the op.

Please can someone set up a trusted company where everyone is dbs checked etc, to just hire out ad hoc for little jobs?

I reckon put a shout out on your local fb page, 'a fiver to walk my dc from a to b'. If I was on Mat leave with a baby, I'd do it.

[arethereanyleftatall]

Oh sorry, I'm miles behind. Change schools!

[grendel]

Presumably the ASC used to be attended by several children from your children's school? So if the walking bus has suddenly been withdrawn there must be several parents at your school who are in the same predicament, and also the ASC must be now facing a number of empty places?
So it would be in the ASC's interest to come up with a solution. It would be worth contacting them again and asking if they could re-instate the walking bus if the parents were prepared to cover some or all of the cost themselves, rather than this being paid by the school. Or whether they would consider using a taxi service - if there were several children sharing a taxi it wouldn't be too expensive. Or would the ASC pay a TA from the school to walk the children over, and parents then share the cost of this additional service? At our village school the ASC pays a TA to walk the children over from the school to the club. It's just strange that the ASC in your situation doesn't seem to be too bothered about losing paying customers from your school.

[BorisTrumpsHair]

where our school is quite unusual in that there are very few working parents.

50% ish Muslim who mostly have a SAHP. lots of single parents on benefits. Others who do work use neighbours (they live on estates and have networks there) or family for childcare.

I do not live on estate, I have no family I rely on paid childcare.

[rookiemere]

Apologies Op if you've said this somewhere and I've missed it. But your previous CM had been working out fine for years but now can't due to finishing at 6. Have your hours increased at work or what's the key change that meant - I think- that 6 was ok before but not know?

Teaching granny to suck eggs I know, but is there any way you can shave any time off your commute to get there for 6 that way DCs could continue to go to CMs?

I really hope the person is able to come up with a solution. Again sorry if you've said already ( i did read promise but am tired after a days WORK ) but what time is the as open until ?

[rookiemere]

Oh sorry I see you're going to change schools.

[Toomuchocolate]

Surely it would be cheaper to get an after school nanny. Surely they'll charge les than £60 for 3 hours work!

[wwwwwwwwwwwwww]

Have you tried contacting the ASC? Maybe one of the staff would pick up your child if you paid them. You might even be able to split the cost with other parents at the school.

[BorisTrumpsHair]

I will find a way, yes.

All these "improvements" to our school are about achieving Outstanding status.

I feel we are being pushed out. It's Not just the ASC. All parent involvement is now at end of the day. I can't attend. I've had enough. Fuck them.

I'll take my "exceeding expectations despite being raised by a stressed out working single mum with childcare issues" kids to bump up the SATS elsewhere.

[BorisTrumpsHair]

ASC said I need to get them there.

[BorisTrumpsHair]

CM I've used for 9 years now insisting on 6 o'clock pick up

[BorisTrumpsHair]

Plus XP not doing his pick ups so childcare bill up £240 per month. I can no longer afford CM.

ASC is half the cost of CM.

[reup]

Are you on any local Facebook pages? My one in London constantly has requests like this - either just to pick up and drop kids or take them to clubs etc or even pick them up from asc or childminders as they finish too early. Some teenagers do it too because. Our local school does finish before the primary.

The downside is they won't be ofsted registered to get childcare vouchers tax breaks.

[maudeismyfavouritepony]

Ask on local facebook parenting pages to see if you can find a childminder who will let you pick up later ?

I allow till 6.30 - I don't like it as I'm totally wiped by that stage and my kids miss out on time with me but I charge extra and the mum concerned could never pick up at 6.00.

[Ummmmgogo]

just wanted to back you up op that I have never heard of a childminder working past 6. I think your options are covering the cost if the walking bus from your own pocket or changing schools. I'm sorry you are in this impossible situation xx

[chocolateworshipper]

Could you contact your local FE college and ask them whether they have any reliable students studying childcare that would like to earn a bit of money?

[NeverTwerkNaked]

Totally sympathise re tax credits; I used them for a year and it was hellish. So confusing and opaque.

[cluelessnewmum]

Could you pay one of these SAHMs to take your kids to the ASC?

[toots111]

If you are in London try Koru Kids who train local students to do afterschool care, usually need to commit to 3 hours per day at least 3 days a week. I think it's £10 an hour so that would be £150 a week, if you needed it every day, not cheap but you could share with another family potentially. Or see if one of the SAHM mums wants to earn some extra cash and take your kids home?

[maudeismyfavouritepony]

You have now Ummmmgogog

[Manclife]

Was this what you were thinking of?

www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1154141/providers-and-parents-win-right-to-request-out-of-school-care

[BorisTrumpsHair]

I will look up Koru Kids tomorrow - thanks toots.