To consider private schools due to the longer school day?

[Workingawayfromhomenow]

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.

wouldnt it work out cheaper to get a child minder for the wrap around?

I find that very very hard to believe

Where there are schools, there are parents who work and kids who need wrap around care

@iggybop

where we are, childminders are impossible to fine and wrap around care sells out in 10 min. It’s a disaster and really stressful!!!

At secondary age it makes life so much easier and contrary to some on here, my DC love it.

Out of the house and on the bus at 7 30, to be in school by 8 for clubs and the school day finishes at 4. They can either get the bus home again and be home by 4 30 or stay at school for more clubs until up to 6 30.

They get to do a wide range of after school activities and I don't have to ferry them around.

They often stay and do homework at school as they can get help from a teacher there too.

It's their choice and it means I can go to work a full day without worrying.

My DC went to an independent school which was near to my office and not that near to the village we lived in. The older two had originally attended the small school in the village which had an intake of 10 per year. The older one really did not thrive there. The independent school was a much better fit for him. Being near my office and having quite structured wrap round care really helped us run our lives and whilst it wasn’t the primary motivation it was a real bonus. The school foundation went from 3-18 and it was helpful in the lower end of secondary years that they could do supervised study in the library after school when needed as that’s a difficult age to get childcare for.

Why do you find it hard to believe, @iggybop ? That isn’t meant contentiously or aggressively in the slightest, more bewildered.

Our local primary school has seventy children in the whole school, and some of those will be siblings. There simply isn’t a demand for childminders. Of course, if I went further afield I could find one but then adding a fair amount of travel time to my day and my child’s day.

I’d also prefer to do drop offs and pick ups myself and as I’ve said above, this is important to me.

Sorry about your miscarriage OP, horrible thing to endure.
I went to a private secondary school on a free scholarship. My advice would be to think very very carefully about the finances - which I'm sure you've done. I saw several pupils leave, mid term, because parents had clearly overstretched themselves and had to withdraw their kids. It was hugely unsettling for them. Whatever reasons people have for choosing private school, it's really important to factor in future children who will also need a private place, and the many other unseen costs. The fees are the tip of the iceberg - they always throw in extra costs. And secondary is more expensive than primary. A full private education costs around £200k per pupil, which is a hell of a lot of money to commit to if a primary reason is wraparound care (which in the grand scheme of things is only needed for a very short time).
One thing that I've learned is that kids don't really need their parents less as they get older, they just need them in a different way. I'm actually trying to reduce my hours now because I've realised my teens need me around more. If I'd committed myself to paying for a private education, then that wouldn't be an option.
Lots of consider. Good luck!

But state school plus a childminder would be WAY cheaper than private school

Of course it would @BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz but it isn’t just about the money. It’s also sheer ease and peace of mind and convenience.

I did not expect this either, but it is my reality! There is no after school club at my school, the only private one closed as it didn't make any money. And there is one part-time childminder, who is full. I made do by cutting my hours, WFH and childcare swaps. I know a lot of people who ended up needing to cut their hours when their kids start school.