To think schools should get with the times re working parents.

[working8til4]

Why can't they be open 8-6 for everyone? It would help reduce gender inequality in the work place

AIBU - DON'T BE SILLY
YANBU - actually you have a point

No I do not. You just carry on doing your job. Why does everyone think I'm on about the same staff covering these extra hours? Bonkers.

So you paid all that money for a house you can't really afford without looking into wraparound at schools? Wow.

The staff. More jobs! Horray!

No. I work in a school where 4 year olds are in from 8am to 6.30pm. A lot of them will do the same hours during the summer holidays.

I feel very strongly that this is not right. Some children cope reasonably well but others really struggle. It's very sad that these children are essentially institutionalised. They only see the world outside the school gates at the weekends, that's not right.

I think the solution is a childminder, at least they would have some semblance of normality for a few hours after school.

Generally private companies. Certainly that’s the case where we live.

No. We paid an amount we could afford and met the stress test. Then in case you missed it the mortgage rates went up QUITE A LOT as did the cost of living. And... I DIDN'T HAVE A CHILD WHEN WE BOUGHT IT.

And if they also have children??

which staff? You can’t just drag people in off the street to do it.

schools are having enough trouble recruiting and affording staff for the normal school hours without adding more.

They wouldn't apply for that job????

They wouldn't be teachers. No one wants to be a teacher. Even teachers seem to hate teaching.

All schools should have wrap around care, it should be very heavily subsidised from government, kids don’t need teaching 8-6.

the bigger childcare problem is anyone needing care before 8am or after 6:30pm - 6:30-7:30pm seems to be an hour no one but a nanny or family cover.

one good thing that came out of the pandemic is now so many jobs are from home (even if just for some days a week), with flexibility about taking your lunch break at 2:45, to walk to school to collect your kids. With being happy someone logs in at 8am rather than 9 then takes a break at 8:30 to go drop kids at school.

Do think if the government does want to address falling birth rates then the price of childcare should be looked at.

😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

No one will apply for the job.

As said above, we can't even staff actual school hours, let alone this.

But really, move to an area with wraparound and a cheaper house.

Start by fixing gender inequality in your house and have your husband do at least half the pickups and drop offs…

School opening times doesn’t impact gender equality, but it might impact the ability to have two full time working parents.

The problem is men not doing their fair share.
I am absolutely against forcing children to be on the go for 12 hours solid to make up for men's inadequacies.

@working8til4 You need to collaborate with other parents and the school.

After Covid my DC’s primary school was not going to reopen wraparound as they couldn’t pay for the number of staff to support individual bubbles. A few of us parents liaised with the woman who ran the out of hours to have our kids in a bubble of her own. She agreed. When it came to it the school did find the money. You have to be pro-active. It’s tiring I know but there isn’t any other solution currently.

I think you're being ridiculous. As others have said, the role of schools is to educate children, not to act as a crèche.

Quite.

small children in school every day from breakfast until bedtime. Why not just out beds in the classrooms too?

why can both parents not request flexible working?

To think work should get with the times re school aged parents.

Can you and your partner try to stagger your start and finish times? These should be split equally between you both. My husband and I have a very carefully worked out schedule which allows one of us to do drop offs at 8.30 and pick ups at 3.30/4.15 (if clubs). My boss originally said no to my hours change request. Me "that's fine, please accept my resignation". All of a sudden, it was 'doable'. Know your worth, negotiate and encourage your and your partners employers to be flexible.
And get to know other parents. There are odd times neither of us can make pick up, so another school mum will collect for me, and vice versa if they are struggling.
Same for school holidays, we take turns having a few children so don't need to take as many days off.

He can't do that and make it to work on time

Why is his job more important than yours?

They can request it sure... it can be refused

Earns more. Can't find a different job as easily. Saves lives.

Where it’s viable, schools usually do have wraparound care. When they don’t, it’s because there isn’t enough regular demand for it to be financially worthwhile.

Your suggestion of school providing this for anyone who wants it doesn’t work. What if only one child wants it? Is the school supposed to provide and pay for staff for the sake of one or two children?