School as child care

[Differentforgirls]

From another thread.

A poster said that state schools are there for helping parents to work. Therefore teachers are childminders. Teachers!

I think schools are there to educate our children and, though the staff go above and beyond these days, that is their primary function.

AIBU?

So as I said, you believe they were fine without childcare during school hours. So why did you take AL when school was closed?

Other people looking after your children.

I can’t be any clearer. Sorry you don’t understand.

So when teachers have a formal duty of care towards children under the education act are they ‘looking after’ your children? I would say they are, but that’s part of their mandated duties as per the education act, so part of the role of a teacher.

Who cared for your children during school hours whilst you were at work?

Nobody understands because you have failed to make a coherent point!

You off today?

Have you worked out what your point is yet?

I think the 'not snarky' ship has sailed, hasn't it?

Just a hint: if you want to read more about somebody's views, maybe don't immediately dismiss them as appalling and then backtrack and try to ask for more of them.

In the spirit of reciprocation, I find your inability to meaningfully discuss this issue you've raised or properly expand on your points quite pathetic, so I won't be engaging any further.

Hope you and your high horse have an excellent day.

But the teachers ARE looking after my children during school hours.

Who else is doing it?

Not me, I'm working across town.

Who else do you think is doing it?

So teachers ..

Are you saying that someone looking after your children can’t also educate them?
Whilst I was at work, my mother in law taught my children to speak German. She also taught them to make brownies. She taught them the names of plants in her garden. She taught them about her Christian beliefs. She also read with them and sang nursery rhymes.
She educated them whilst looking after them. Which is precisely what teachers and schools do, yes?

Less so secondary school but primary schools absolutely provide childcare. It's not the primary purpose of a school, but there really isn't any sort of argument against that.

No. They’re teachers who are also responsible for children during school hours. It’s not hard to understand

Not everyone can. My job certainly can’t be done in just school hours during term time. Neither can my husband’s

I have read the OP but that doesn’t explain why a retiree is choosing to spend such a beautiful sunny day engaged in pointless argument.

Of course schools provide childcare. The government recognises they are part of the network of childcare that allows parents to work. So do teaching unions.

This was made exceptionally clear during COVID - schools remained open to perform their childcare function to some children, while their education function was offered to all online.

Teachers didn't provide that childcare, but I did, and so did thousands of other school workers alongside me.

Similarly, when schools are shut due to teacher strikes, I'll still be there providing childcare for some particular students, even while the school isn't offering education.

Every afternoon, we have a small cohort that we are not actually able to provide a meaningful education for, but have in school and keep clean, fed, safe and supervised while providing free play activities. No learning happens or is planned, as this particular cohort are not able to learn in mainstream and have extremely complex needs. I am certain of this because I am on the rota. Their teacher's don't offer childcare; some of these students have never been inside their nominal classrooms. The school does still essentially provide childcare though, just not the teachers.

Teachers don't necessarily provide childcare, but schools do.

Thank you!

It’s raining.

I don't know why people are even engaging with this. OP you are clearly just looking for an argument. Through all of your snarky responses you haven't actually elaborated on anything.

Why are you so obsessed with the word childcare that it offends you so much?

That people seem to view as baby sitters.

I don’t understand why you’re acting like you just discovered the Earth is round.
Of course , schools are there to educate children. The side effect of that is that kids are out of the house for 6/7 hours enabling parents to work. A lot might need additional, actual childcare. It’s not exactly rocket science.

How do you think all the teachers manage to go to work and teach if they have children?

So you view teachers as baby sitters 👍

They are a huge part of the amazing team of childcare providers with all their many differing titles. All of which the do a great job.

No they don’t. You’re being disingenuous.
They recognise that children being at school allows them to work. This isn’t the same as viewing teachers as babysitters.