Wrap around care for those who don't work??

[Raisinsandweetabix]

Free breakfast clubs, afterschool clubs. Why would you need this if you are at home all day anyway? Another kick in the teeth to working parents. Obviously not including those in dire need of this care.

Why is it a "kick in the teeth" to working parents? Aren't the working parents getting it too?

Can we have a bit of context.

The idea of breakfast clubs is they will be universal.

Sadly not every home is perfect and if these things mean young people are fed before school or are getting opportunities after school then fantastic .

Context needed I think. I can’t see how it’s a kick in the teeth for working parents if they are able to use this as well, there are also reasons that non working parents may need this care.

Come on OP give us the story! Is it your SIL, your neighbour..?

I mostly with you, after years of child care bills and wrap about need.

We have to remember that some children from deprived homes are in need of a safe, warm space and a good meal. It’s for their sake, not the parents

Because some parents are sahm due to poverty or because childcare costs are more than what they earn. Also the stastics are that children of single parent households or low income households (more likely if only one income) have lower educational outcomes and are less likely to engage with extra curricular activities. So it's right that those children and their parents should be targeted for additional support.

Yeah like a link to a news source or something

My children's school offered free breakfast clubs and after school clubs as standard which I think is good.

But they offer holiday activities free to only those in receipt of free school meals which I think is wrong. For working parents it's about £20 per child.

It’s for the child, not the parents. It’s to make sure they can get to school on time and have some food in their stomach so they can concentrate at school.

Why do you think it's wrong? A lot of kids getting free school meals have parents that work!

Those clubs aren't designed with SAHP in mind with a partner on ££££, they are designed to increase cultural capital / narrow the gap for those that can't give their children access to extra curriculars either through finances, transport limitations or having other children or themselves with disabilities. Also, often if you don't work it's because you have your own additional physical, mental or other struggles and benefit from the respite allowing you to parent better when they return.

How is it a kick in the teeth to working parents ? Don't their children get this ?

We didn't work but used after school clubs once or twice a week so the children could try the different activities. Most were free but I remember paying for Spanish, drums and Cookery classes. In our school they were open to all the children, not just those whose parents worked.

Not much - the threshold is 7k of earned income a year I think? That's only a few hours a week work by one parent

Have you just made up some random policy to be angry about or does this exist?

Right and? That's what some families have as income.

That's a different type of after school club

No family with kids has 7k total income. They will get most of their income from benefits at that level.
Not saying it's wrong, just that someone on free school meals won't have parents that work lots of hours and therefore need childcare (mostly, I'm sure there are exceptions).

@Raisinsandweetabix - please elaborate.

Why would it be a kick in the teeth for working parents?

Whilst free, wrap-around care is not meant for everybody and is not compulsory. It is there for children whose parents need help before and after school and those children with difficult/chaotic home lives who might not get breakfast or be able to do activities outside school. Parents who are home based or families with other childcare arrangements do not have to use the service. And that is great for those children who want a home breakfast or to be able to come home straight after school because they are tired.

Some parents end up with kids at two different schools and can't collect them both at the same time.

Is that "dire need" enough for your approval?

Or maybe the kids want to go because their friends are?

If they can get kids on before after school clubs
Then it will help kids from low income poor households in damp unsuitable or overcrowded home
If the rich sah parent uses it so mummy or daddy can go to the gym so what ? they are being inclusive and mixing with kids from diverse backgrounds playing together or helping each other with homework

Free breakfast clubs, free lunches until the age of 8, funded childcare with household income up to 100k. Personally, I think this is all madness. Happy that those in need get help but it need not be universal.

Imagine being annoyed that children will get before & after school care.