Asking school if my 5-year-old can leave five minutes early

[bringmethespring]

I’ve booked theatre tickets for ds(5) on Thursday. The show starts at 4 so after school but like a lot of primary schools there tends to be a lot of traffic and it can take a while to get out.

I am wondering if it would be reasonable to ask if he can leave five minutes early to miss the traffic. Or would this be too disruptive for the other children in the class? I’m going to ask tomorrow if the consensus on here is that it’s OK so need to know now.

Do it, but make it 15mins early in case the staff who will need to get him are busy (especially if there is another child leaving early, they may have routines for him they can’t change).

Just say he's got the dentist and you need to collect early. Give plenty of time tho for them to collect from the classroom, costs toilet etc. I'd do 15 mins early personally. If he mentions theatre and you get asked, you just say yeah we had dentist then theatre lol. Nothing will happen anyway it's fine

Deffo ask. I’d be another that says I’d say for more than 5 mins early. Those last 10 mins at school can be chaos whilst everyone gets ready for home time and there might not be a member of staff to bring them across to reception etc.
I’d deffo do more 15/20 mins

Reception is literally next to the classroom; it’s a tiny school, only three classrooms and none are more than a few seconds away from reception, so not worried about that. I just don’t want to cause any disruption for the teachers.

I would also just say an appointment!

If she talks about it the next day you can always said it was after the appointment

Non event. Just email saying you’re collecting 15 mins early for an appointment.

If they check in for the afternoon session it makes not a lot of difference to school. If you took him out at lunchtime it would count as a session missed I suspect that’ll be fine.

It’s totally fine!

It's a school, not the Gestapo. Don't ask, just inform them that he'll be leaving early on that day.

I work in a reception class and my only comment would be “have a wonderful time we can’t wait to hear all about it”

I would actually make it 10-15 mins early just to give yourself some leeway.

I'd ask for 20 mins... 5 mins they're in the midst of packing up so unlikely to think "better get Anna out NOW" whereas 20 mins theres more breathing space.

I would be honest and not say it's for a medical appointment as previous posters have suggested. We have always had to provide proof with appointment cards or letters.

Although our appointments have always been after registration and more through the day so they may not ask for proof to leave 5 minutes early but you never know.

Non event and really don't lie. You are overthinking it. Why would you lie? They are not going to refuse to hand him over whatever the reason. And it is unlikely to be marked down anywhere - there isn't a 'left early' mark like a 'late'. Kids leave class for toilet, for interventions, for testing all the time. As long as it isn't something you are doing regularly unlikely to piss the school off - I suspect they will be excited for him going to the theatre.

Our primary school made a fuss of our two when we took them out an hour early to beat the traffic on way to a weekend at a Haven resort.

He will have his afternoon mark for attendance in the register. Ds had a regular appointment at the hospital every couple of months and we would literally book it so he got his afternoon registration mark then 15 minutes he would be leaving school premises.

Tell them he is going to the theatre, he will talk about it anyway, they always do.

OP, I'm a teacher and I wouldn't have a problem with this. Nor would my school.

Actually, though, I'd also state a 15/20 min earlier pick up. The end of day routine, especially for 5 year olds, is a bit manic. And 5 mins can disappear very quickly. It would actually be less disruptive, less stressful and easier to get one child ready to dismiss 15 mins earlier than 5 mins due to the way end of day routines run.

The children will start getting ready about 15 mins before dismissal time anyway so he'd likely get lost in the crowd! Children are sent to get their hometime things in batches. If you pick him up before that starts, it'll be easier for everyone. Trust me!

If she’s there for the afternoon registration, it won’t affect attendance for the school so they’ll be fine with her leaving early. And definitely tell the truth about where you’re going!

Please don’t ask him to lie, we love children sharing the fun things they have been doing with us.

Sorry, he, not she. And yes, agree with PP that 15 mins early would actually be easier than 5 mins in terms of end of the day logistics. Enjoy the theatre!

Once they are present for the registers the school honestly won't care much.
I'd ask for 30minutes early though, you don't want to rush.

And this.

You: "Hi, just letting you know, I'll be picking Billy up 15/20mins earlier on X day. I'm taking him to the theatre after school and want to avoid the school traffic so were not late."

Teacher: "No problem! Let the office know and I'll have him ready. I hope you both enjoy it!"

Is pretty much exactly how the conversation will go!

The teacher will understand the need to avoid a last minute stressed journey etc as much as you!

Why?

It is mildly exasperating being berated for lying when I haven’t suggested I would. I was just wondering if this was an acceptable request and wouldn’t make life difficult for the teacher; it seems not so I’ll ask / tell today

People where commenting on those making out you needed to lie rather than your plan.

I get that but this really don't lie. You are overthinking it. Why would you lie was addressed to me, regardless of intent behind it!

You’re massively overthinking this, just go early and tell them he needs to leave early for an appointment, job done