Schools only allowing immediate family to drop and collect

[Snailsetssail]

Schools have absolutely no power to enforce this rule. It’s completely ridiculous for working parents and as a family with 2 key workers there is no way it can be done.

How many other schools have come up with this crazy rule?

Our school had a "parents only" rule so far

So children who live with Foster Carers, in Children's Homes or with Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles etc under a Special Guardianship order can just stay away then, can they? Brilliant. As if kids in those situations aren't overlooked enough already

It drives me mad when schools make policy based on assumptions about what a 'normal' family set up is.

@welcometohell
I was wrong, it was me who simplified it to fit with my own situation. Not restricted to parents, just adults from the same household. I am sorry it it was a trigger in any way.

How ironic that whilst adults are being urged to get back to o commuting to work so they can prop up the likes of Pret, this sort of nonsense tries to take us back to the 50s.

In a related point to had to fill in contact details last week. I provided details of us two parents and then our FT nanny who will always be around. No, the school said, you must also provide details of a 4th adult and they must be able to pick a child up within 30 mins. Lovely idea and everything but like many of the other parents we have no family help which is why we have paid childcare. And given this is driven at COVID symptom collections this is hardly something you can ask of friends and neighbours.

Our school isn't doing this. I'm genuinely mystified at schools that are. They realise the money which pays my mortgage doesn't just fall from the sky right?

Our local school are allowing anyone to pick up (grandparent, relative, friend etc) but only one adult can pick them up. No couples, groups etc.

What's the schools reasoning ?

Anyway if they're saying adults from the same household, then a lot of households will just magically expand to include grandparents. And how is school going to prove that granny hasn't actually moved in with you?

I agree with everyone else op- I'd be ignoring it. Either the childminder would be one an aunt who lived with us or the grandparents would move in.

I think sometimes schools are so used to dealing with 5 year olds they forget they're talking to grown ups!

My children's school have said the same. I teach in another school 20 minutes away so can't possibly drop off or pick up at school times. I am not really sure what options I am left with.

@slipperywhensparticus

ours has a no bags rule which is great except my son has sen takes his ear defenders etc in a bag daily its bad enough he now has to wear a shirt and tie and its worse they haven't sorted his echp and he is year three now this im unconvinced he is going to cope with school anymore

My son has a pair he keeps at school - would your Ds do that?

If they enforced this madness here my DC would be left to wander the playground for an hour while I'm busy at another school in a different town handing over other people's DC to "immediate relatives" and dealing with the fallout from that.

Both of their parents are key workers, there's zero chance of us being there for drop off/pick up. And I'm sure if you were told your DC couldn't be dropped off until late because Mrs Craiglang is too busy having to take her own DC to school, you'd be pretty pissed off. It's completely unworkable.

Also, if there are still going to be no assemblies allowed in September, schools can take that time off the school day too!

I'm trying to contact them to see if they will allow this but of course they sent out guidelines for September then closed the school so all i get is out of office email! im not sending him back in until I get clarification he has daily intervention groups too ive no idea how they will manage this either without breaking bubbles because its children from different classes

I'm just going to have to push the school for answers

Yeah our school have just said one adult, no rules on who that adult is. I think this is realistic and that people are just going to lie to get around a rule about living together tbh.

I think this is realistic and that people are just going to lie to get around a rule about living together tbh.
We were like one big happy family with our childminder anyway, time to make it official and move in together
Seriously though, it will affect people without a local family / support network most.

@slipperywhensparticus

I'm trying to contact them to see if they will allow this but of course they sent out guidelines for September then closed the school so all i get is out of office email! im not sending him back in until I get clarification he has daily intervention groups too ive no idea how they will manage this either without breaking bubbles because its children from different classes

I'm just going to have to push the school for answers

If the intervention groups are provided for in an EHCP, the school and the local authority will have no choice but to make them happen. Post should still be getting through to the headteacher, but if you don't get answers it could be worth trying the SEN Department at the council, as it is primarily their responsibility.

I've not heard of this, but would think it reasonable for a school to know if childminders, grandparents or someone else with the agreement of the parent is collecting a child.

If the school Refuse to handover and want to keep my dc until I finish work at 9pm they can crack on

You would be picking up your child from Social Services care.

Can't see social services getting involved here.

I’m a teacher. I’d ignore it - how ridiculous! We’ve been doing shared childcare amongst a group of us throughout all teachers and NHS and not all same family. I’ll also be using my childminder again in September and the schools before and after club. Schools can make bubbles up to 240 so no reason at all that SEN intervention and support can’t happen. It’s statutory for EHCP so schools will need to make it happen. There is more schools guidance coming mid August so imagine more updates will follow in summer break as they are worked out.

@Howaboutanewname

If the school Refuse to handover and want to keep my dc until I finish work at 9pm they can crack on

You would be picking up your child from Social Services care.

I don't think so. Any social worker is going to have far more sense and not March my dd past their grandmother. I think they'd tell the school where to go. And anyway the school couldn't hand over to a soc worker.... They'd be breaking their own rules. 😅

If a child isn’t picked up from school within a certain time frame and contact can’t be made with the parents, Social Services will be contacted. People can’t just abandon their children to school and expect them to be there when they are ready to pick them up. Not how it works. Of course school wouldn’t call SS if the parent phoned and made it clear they’re sat still on a motorway behind an accident (and these days, a quick google would should whether that was the truth or not) but teachers have lives and families and responsibilities and won’t look after your child till 9pm.

But in this case someone suitable is there for pick up. Social services aren't going to get involved in matters like this.

Given that there is no specific guideline saying only household members, I'm pretty sure SS would tell the school not to be so ridiculous

Schools are trying to keep children and adults working with them safe.

If the guidelines aren't clear it's hardly their fault.