This childcare

[kittyxat]

DD1 turns 13 in November, starting year 8 next week, very mature. DD2 is 7 and starting year 3 next week.

AIBU to let DD1 drop DD2 off at breakfast club so that I can get to work earlier?

School is a 2 minute walk away from home, literally 2 streets, crossing one road which is not a main road but can be a bit busy. At that time there will be lots of people around.

I'm a solo parent (widowed, no family at all, no local friends). I work full time and it's a 30 min drive.

If I can get to work for 730am I can finish at 330 and then collect DD2 from after school club, so a combined childcare of 1 hr 15 min (1 hr 30 max).

This would save me so much money as otherwise she will he in after school club until 5.15pm (depending on traffic) as well as breakfast club.

I am struggling with money. I trust DD2.

AIBU? I'm worried the school will call social services and say it's wrong?

The school don't allow siblings to collect younger kids, younger kids don't walk home until year 4/5.

YANBU I don't see a problem with this at all.

I don't think the school would have a problem with it either but you could always ask if it's okay if you needed reassurance.

Would you be leaving the house at the same time or would dd1 be expected to chivvy dd2 to get out the door and remember all the books and bags etc? My concern would be Dd1 being home alone responsible for dd2 rather than the drop off.

The walking bit isn't the issue. Its the getting a potentially tired stroppy 7yo ready for school, fed and out the house. If you're all leaving the house together, its not a problem.

I would be leaving at 7.15, Dd would be leaving at 7.50. So about half an hour later.

I would make sure DD1 was dressed, she'd be fed at breakfast club (but knowing her she will eat before too lol) so it's literally DD2 watching her then walking her up.

I see nothing wrong with this at all.

I understand your position, but im pretty sure our school wouldn't allow it.

Would the school allow a 12/13 year old to do drop-off? Many don't.

I also think it's the bit before that's the problem rather than the walk. Our breakfast club need under is dropped off by an adult.

There are lots of kids who do it at our school - except there’s not breakfast club. I’ve also seen teenagers allowed to collect their siblings after school.

I agree with others it’s the making sure she’s ready etc that’s more of an issue but if you think you can get her ready first, and she won’t somehow make herself unready in the interim it’s ok.

It wouldn’t work with my ds (who’s 8) but he has adhd so a slightly different kettle of fish. It depends on the child I think.

Well different times I know but early 70’s I was walking to school aged 8 with DB who was 5 after our DM had gone to work. This was in central London with one major road to cross which had a pelican crossing.

Also a single parent. I had one in year 8 and one in year 6. Year 66 hated after school so year 8mused to pick him up on his way home, Never an issue. Same year 6 was dropped off once a week by year 11 at 7:30am cos I had a regular meeting. Also never a problem.

Hmmm. The walking wouldn’t bother me at all. But making one DD responsible for getting herself and the other out the door on time with everything, every day, fed and cleaned and no last minute disasters… I guess it depends on how amenable your DDs are to this. I mean, if they had to do it I’m sure they would, and you could be super organised the night before to make sure everything’s ready to go.

Would it be possible to do this just twice a week to begin with? See how it goes before upping it to more frequently? Sometimes I need to speak to my DCs’ teachers at drop off, so doing it yourself a couple of times per week might be good for that.