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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider private schools due to the longer school day?

135 replies

Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 19:33

It isn’t the only consideration by a long shot but it is a consideration, as we would struggle otherwise. I realise people do manage of course but interested in knowing if this was a factor for anyone else when choosing a school.

OP posts:
Original poster
Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:07

We simply don’t have any childminders locally, or nannies. Not everyone lives in a city.

As I have said, I wouldn’t make this decision purely for that reason but it is a fairly significant factor in knowing I won’t have to worry about drop offs or pick ups. Of course that comes at a cost but there are many other benefits to that cost too.

OP posts:
coffeecupsandfairylights · 09/05/2022 20:07

Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 19:53

Well, indeed! It wouldn’t be the only factor.

The problem with wraparound is while we would only need it now and again it would be sporadic so we’d end up paying a lot for a place we didn’t need. It would also mean choosing a primary that isn’t great purely for the wraparound.

But you'll be paying even more for private school Confused

carefullycourageous · 09/05/2022 20:07

AProperStinging · 09/05/2022 19:59

This just isn't true. I went to a private school from year 7 to year 11. School day ran from 8.35am to 4.00pm. With London travel, I was out of the house every single day from 7.25am to 5.00pm. Then hours of homework. It was shit. I hated it.

My kids go to our local state school. School day is 8.45am to 2.45pm. Their travel time is 5 mins on foot. they actually have a life outside school.

Lovely for all of you parents I'm sure. Utterly shit for the kids.

Show quote history

I agree - my private school was also a very long day and it was not fun. Would ever do that to my kids.

And Saturday mornings!!!!

Original poster
Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:08

I can see I’m just going to endlessly be repeating myself here, aren’t I?

OP posts:
carefullycourageous · 09/05/2022 20:09

There are childminders all over the place, in villages, in towns and in cities Confused

Childminders are not a city thing.

carefullycourageous · 09/05/2022 20:10

Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:08

I can see I’m just going to endlessly be repeating myself here, aren’t I?

That is up to you - you are allowed to let comments pass by Grin

NameChange30 · 09/05/2022 20:12

Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:07

We simply don’t have any childminders locally, or nannies. Not everyone lives in a city.

As I have said, I wouldn’t make this decision purely for that reason but it is a fairly significant factor in knowing I won’t have to worry about drop offs or pick ups. Of course that comes at a cost but there are many other benefits to that cost too.

How do you know there are no nannies? Have you looked? Many nannies travel.

justfiveminutes · 09/05/2022 20:13

You just need to find the right private school. My dc loved their school. They finished at 3:45, so very similar to the local state secondary, but then stayed on for sport, drama and so on, and did their homework. So they got home about 6 but their evenings were their own, and we didn't have to go back out. They never had school on the weekend. It was a longer journey but it was a dedicated school bus so they socialised and really enjoyed it.

Original poster
Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:14

I can’t see many nannies wanting to travel for the odd few unspecified days a month.

This is the issue - we don’t always know when we’d need someone.

If the school day fits a bit better with our working hours, even if that comes at a cost, that seems a practical consideration on top of other benefits.

OP posts:
AmongstTheCosmos · 09/05/2022 20:16

DD's prep is 8-4 with breakfast club starting at 7.30 and after school club until 6, and you can use wraparound care on an ad hoc basis. This makes life so much easier for us because we don't always work exactly the same hours every week, and both need to travel occasionally for work etc.

It wasn't the reason we chose the school but it is incredibly helpful!

MarshaBradyo · 09/05/2022 20:17

look at after school care at state

also the holidays are so much longer which requires more cc

Original poster
Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:18

Similar here @AmongstTheCosmos , it wouldn’t be the sole reason (far from it) but certainly something that would make life so much easier and seems so much nicer for the children too.

OP posts:
ThePenOfMyAunt · 09/05/2022 20:26

I live in an area where childminders are few and far between. There's not one that covers our local school. Wraparound has improved but it's not all schools and in high demand. The school with the better chance of wraparound is not a great school, and has a long history of being not great with spells of atrocious(!)

So I can see why OP is considering it.

carefullycourageous · 09/05/2022 20:26

This thread reads like you want to send your kids to private school and are trying to convince someone who doesn't agree. If you want private, just do it.

Original poster
Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:28

It is something we’re considering, @carefullycourageous , and like most considerations there are a number of factors to it. If it’s quite OK with you, I’ll continue the helpful conversation with the people who are answering the question.

OP posts:
carefullycourageous · 09/05/2022 20:30

You don't have to be so chippy @Workingawayfromhomenow
Honestly, you are such a crosspatch!

It is quite Ok with me for you to talk to anyone you like, or ignore anyone you like, or be grumpy with anyone you like (me) Smile

Original poster
Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:31

ThePenOfMyAunt · 09/05/2022 20:26

I live in an area where childminders are few and far between. There's not one that covers our local school. Wraparound has improved but it's not all schools and in high demand. The school with the better chance of wraparound is not a great school, and has a long history of being not great with spells of atrocious(!)

So I can see why OP is considering it.

We live in a very small village. The village school only has 70 children in the whole school (which does put me off) and no wraparound care and the next nearest primary school is in the opposite direction to my workplace in a small town where the school isn’t great. I’m sure we could find a childminder there but I don’t really want to use that school anyway.

There is a private school around the corner to where I work, and there is wraparound care included in school fees between 8-5 which is perfect.

It isn’t purely money, but sometimes you do pay for an easier life. Cleaners, Amazon prime and the like.

OP posts:
Original poster
Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:32

You are the ‘cross patch’ one and it’s all over MN not just here tbh @carefullycourageous

OP posts:
niki26 · 09/05/2022 20:33

My daughter is at private school - currently year 1 and her hours at 8.35 - 3.15 and we can pay extra for the two after school sessions (3.30-4.30 then 4.30-6). We can drop off from 8am.

Holidays were the killer for us! This year she breaks up 1st July and goes back 5th September.

Clymene · 09/05/2022 20:35

Our primary schools provided ad hoc before and after school care. I just used to book it online as and when I needed it.

I wouldn't assume you have to book a term at a time unless the school confirms that.

carefullycourageous · 09/05/2022 20:36

Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:32

You are the ‘cross patch’ one and it’s all over MN not just here tbh @carefullycourageous

whaaat???

OK, you win, I will back away now before you hunt me down and kill me Grin

Original poster
Workingawayfromhomenow · 09/05/2022 20:37

It isn’t just booking, it’s the fact the nearest one just doesn’t offer it. The next nearest one goes in the opposite direction to my workplace.

I would like to do pickups and drop offs and this is important to me.

OP posts:
ThePenOfMyAunt · 09/05/2022 20:40

I live in a similar sounding area. I Electively Home Educate my DS4 because of a history of things irrelevant to your thread but he's been to 2 schools and he's 7, DS3 attends a specialist independent 50 miles away. The older 2 go to different secondary schools to each other.

In my experience of schools, I'd say ignoring your gut rarely works out well!

splishsplashsploshsplish · 09/05/2022 20:40

Sadly, Mumsnet seems to feel that choosing a private school is just an insult to everyone else, which I just don't understand.

If you can afford it, it suits your family needs, will make things easier and you prefer it to all other options, then go for it.

Stormyseasallround · 09/05/2022 20:40

I suspect I’m wasting my breath, because this is a thread for you to justify a decision you’ve already made.

Anyhow, all 3 of mine went to a very normal (but lovely) state first school, whose wrap around care could be booked on a very ad hoc basis as and when we needed it. In 8 years of using it, they never once said no. During that time they could chill out with technology, play games, have sports coaching, do crafts, or just a snack and a cuddle if they needed it.

After that they’ve moved up to a very normal middle school in which they stay every single night (free of charge) for professional coaching in hockey, rugby, cricket, athletics, tennis and a plethora of over sports. They also have free daily access to music clubs, art workshops, chess etc etc etc.

I literally couldn’t have paid for a better education for them (all 3 doing well academically and socially) and at the end of the day, they play outside in the street with their best mates who all live around the doors, instead of being flung all over the region as mine were when I was privately educated.