To wonder why more schools don’t have this??

[Easysolution]

So I have NC for this but basically I have realized that I have struck gold with my DC’s school. Now we are not in uk but in Ireland so not far.
Basically her school has an attached Montessori and “Afterschool” facility
My DC1 Attends the school and DC2 attends the Montessori.
School starts at 8.40, drop off for Montessori (and school) is from 8.30 onwards (although official hours are 9-12 for Montessori)so technically first half hour free. Children in Ireland have 9-12 per day free childcare from age 3-5 (provided by Montessori) and then after 12 it is €4 per hour for DC2. They get a snack at 11 and I provide a packed lunch also for 12/half12.

My DC1 finishes school hours @ 1.20 (first two years of primary finish an hour earlier than the rest of school) and then is collected at her classroom by one of the Afterschool team who bring her to the Montessori/Afterschool rooms (joined by a big double door) they do homework (except reading) and they have toast at 3oclock, this service is also €4 an hour. The Afterschool team also collects the older children at 2.20 and bring them to Afterschool too. They all do homework and play/chat etc until they are collected. It is open until 5.30.

I am a teacher also but my school starts at 9 (thank god) and finishes at 2.40. I usually get to collect my DC by half 3.

I am in awe of the school and what they provide, it is amazing and the kids love it!! Just wondering why it’s not more common as I think it seems a lot more ppl could do with a service like it.

Also it’s not a booked place so if they don’t attend I don’t pay. It’s only school term obviously but that suits me as I am a teacher.

Anyone else have ANYTHING similar??

Fingerling. King of BBQ potatoes.

Sorry, What? Is that a jacket, cooked on the BBQ or something new and unusual I haven't heard of?

Pink Fir Apple - the very best salad potato available.

@fixWaterwheels - I shall keep an eye out for them :)

primary school teaching is a seriously good job to have becuase of the the massive holidays- schools are off from nearly the end of June to September. Hours are very short and 6 other weeks worth of holidays for mid term, full paid maternity leave, etc so no one ever leaves the profession.

Maybe the English minister for education needs to take a look at teaching in Ireland and figure out why there’s a massive retention problem here but nobody wants to leave the profession in Ireland!!

*Maybe the English minister for education needs to take a look at teaching in Ireland and figure out why there’s a massive retention problem here but nobody wants to leave the profession in Ireland!!"

Now Ireland isn't all sunshine and rainbows - we have pay inequality, where younger teachers are on a lower payscale and there's been a big impact on teaching. Young teachers are going to Dubai etc (and the UK!) for money and experience. I know of a few schools who can't get teachers to do a mat leave post.

@ravenwings that is true but I think newly qualified teachers in the UK get around 20k a year. Newly qualified in Ireland 35k. Big difference.

@ravenwings that is true but I think newly qualified teachers in the UK get around 20k a year. Newly qualified in Ireland 35k. Big difference

Wow-is that true?!

NQTs in England start on about £22k. I’m on £38k and am top of the upper pay scale.

Yeh it’s true. I was shocked by how little my cousins teaching in the UK earn but saying that wages in general in Ireland would be much better than the UK but the cost of living is higher.

True. But the UK is dead easy work to pick up, the agencies are begging for people. Rurally there aren't that many jobs afaik. So people go for a year, get probated, put up with the madness for experience...you can see how we get the brain drain.

That's another thing actually - I've picked up from threads on here that pay progression and moving up scales can be at the discretion of school management? That's shocking. While they're not great, I'd rather have our centralised pay department any day.

No teaching jobs rurally in Ireland I mean! And while the UK seems easy to get a job in, I don't envy anyone working there. That's definitely not a handy number.

Is it young teachers that are on the lower pay scale or new teachers?

What is the £ scale like for older/experienced teachers?

It's new teachers - those appointed after 1st Jan 2011 off the top of my head. There have also been allowances cut or removed for those after 2011. There's a real sense of bitterness out there - a lot of these feel that they were sold down the river by those teaching prior to 2011. You'd see a lot of it on the Voice for teachers fb page.

I left teaching in UK after 20 years. Got first interview in Ireland and now permanent.you get the pre 2012 scale if in EU. Im on 62k a year. No extra responsibilities. Just mainstream teaching. And yes never work beyond 3.30

Im on 62k a year. No extra responsibilities. Just mainstream teaching. And yes never work beyond 3.30

Bloody hell!

Yes it's amazing. And I know the UK system well after two decades in it. Get 3 mo ths off in the summer too. I have to pinch myself sometimes.

@Holidayshopping

@notquitethesame you would have to get Irish language qualification

@Bumper1969 me too!!! I left today at 3.35 and I was 3rd to last to leave, one being the head! 😂😂 so much more balanced here!! I was asked the other day where I was at break as I had been looking for some equipment only to be told I must come and get my cuppa it’s important!! Not Once was I ever told that in the uk!! 😬😮

On the flip side of better work/life balance for primary teachers in Ireland is that's it's a lot more awkward for working patents!!

Wrap around care is unusual, infant classes finish an hour before junior classes so there can be an hour's wait to collect your children. (Especially when awkward if I it's raining!!!)

The two month summer holiday is a juggle to (thankfully by the time they are having a three month holiday in secondary they are older).

Still all in all the standard of education is high (and there's no SATs!!!).

(Did a comparison once, classroom hours seem to work out the same. Days might be shorter, but the daily breaks are also shorter (and possibly fewer - I'm feel I'm mis-remembering that though). Also I think there are more mid-terms days too in England and Wales (think Scotland is more similar to Ireland).

@RedForShort yes!! Some parents can do three school runs in under three hours if their children are in free hours, infants and juniors. Pick up times 12, 1.20 and 2.20

And breaks are morning (10mins) and lunch (half hour)