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AIBU?

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Original poster

School as child care

876 replies

Differentforgirls · 07/04/2026 18:45

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?

OP posts:
MrsOni · 09/04/2026 22:04

MummyWillow1 · 09/04/2026 20:59

Teachers are there to educate.

An education allows children to become productive members of society. Before school became compulsory many children went to work with their parents and carried out work of their own. An education is a privilege too many take for granted, a teacher can’t teach if they are carrying out general ‘care’.

Show quote history

Teachers are there to educate, but there is also a duty of care towards the children due to the fact that the parents or some other responsible adult are simply not there.

It's not an insult to say that schools are caring for children as well as educating them and it's weird that some teachers seem to take it that way, frankly. Argubly the care part of a teachers role is more important than teaching them.

ForUmberFinch · 09/04/2026 22:08

I’m a teacher. I’m not a child minder. I’m not a parent. I’m not a psychologist. I’m not a social worker. I’m trained in pedagogical techniques and delivery.

as a parent, I view my children’s school as being there to educate them, not parent them or provide childcare.

stop devaluing the teaching profession.

EwwPeople · 09/04/2026 22:13

ForUmberFinch · 09/04/2026 22:08

I’m a teacher. I’m not a child minder. I’m not a parent. I’m not a psychologist. I’m not a social worker. I’m trained in pedagogical techniques and delivery.

as a parent, I view my children’s school as being there to educate them, not parent them or provide childcare.

stop devaluing the teaching profession.

If your kid is off school and you need to go to work, do you arrange alternative education or alternative childcare?

Nonunifiedworkerworking · 09/04/2026 22:22

Differentforgirls · 09/04/2026 16:11

You can definitely see by this thread the people who value education and the people who view school as childcare. Thank you to the former who understood my op. 😊❤️

Well done for keeping all the teachers amused in their 2 to 3 week holidays, it really is very obvious, happens most holiday times it's hilarious 🤣

Yewoo · 09/04/2026 22:30

ForUmberFinch · 09/04/2026 22:08

I’m a teacher. I’m not a child minder. I’m not a parent. I’m not a psychologist. I’m not a social worker. I’m trained in pedagogical techniques and delivery.

as a parent, I view my children’s school as being there to educate them, not parent them or provide childcare.

stop devaluing the teaching profession.

Has there actually been a single comment on this thread that has devalued the profession of teaching though? Because all I’ve seen is reams of people agreeing that school is for kids to learn, but that it is also extremely handy to help parents work. I really wouldn’t have thought that was offensive to the profession of teaching. It’s just two things existing together.

MrsOni · 09/04/2026 22:31

ForUmberFinch · 09/04/2026 22:08

I’m a teacher. I’m not a child minder. I’m not a parent. I’m not a psychologist. I’m not a social worker. I’m trained in pedagogical techniques and delivery.

as a parent, I view my children’s school as being there to educate them, not parent them or provide childcare.

stop devaluing the teaching profession.

Why do you think people who trust teachers enough to care for their children are devaluing your role?

Because nobody is.

But schools, especially primary schools, like or not are providing childcare. Without it, parents couldn't work because we'd all need to be sitting in the classroom too.

That is a stone cold, indisputable fact.

ProudCat · 09/04/2026 22:32

I'm a teacher and, of course, I care about the children I teach in the sense that I want them to be safe, healthy and happy.

I don't have any training in childcare though. I completed my PGCE in 2022, and my ECT in 2024, so really quite recently. I have subject knowledge for the subject I teach and I was trained in teaching and learning techniques. I wasn't trained in first aid, any strategies for mental health support, nothing really. I bring years of experience as a mother and grandmother - my kids are all grown and in their 30s now and my grandchild is late teens. However, most of my colleagues don't. My age (late 50s) makes me the exception.

The teaching profession has been haemorrhaging older / more experienced teachers for years now and so it currently has some of the youngest people in the overall workforce. Without training, and without direct experience of literally caring for children, this means the profession overall isn't adapted to provide childcare - which is unsurprising as teaching isn't childminding because that's a separate career.

The Teachers' Standards state that we should:

  1. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
  2. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
  3. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
  4. Plan and teach well structured lessons
  5. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
  6. Make accurate and productive use of assessment
  7. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
  8. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities (relationships with colleagues, deploy TAs, communicate effectively, etc).

As you can see, none of this includes childcare, and our professional conduct simply requires us to act in accordance with the above. Unfortunately, families and the wider society who want to abdicate their responsibility for childcare to teachers are unable to do so and are, instead, just abdicating their responsibility and not caring for their own children.

^^ The word for this is neglect.

Yewoo · 09/04/2026 22:37

ProudCat · 09/04/2026 22:32

I'm a teacher and, of course, I care about the children I teach in the sense that I want them to be safe, healthy and happy.

I don't have any training in childcare though. I completed my PGCE in 2022, and my ECT in 2024, so really quite recently. I have subject knowledge for the subject I teach and I was trained in teaching and learning techniques. I wasn't trained in first aid, any strategies for mental health support, nothing really. I bring years of experience as a mother and grandmother - my kids are all grown and in their 30s now and my grandchild is late teens. However, most of my colleagues don't. My age (late 50s) makes me the exception.

The teaching profession has been haemorrhaging older / more experienced teachers for years now and so it currently has some of the youngest people in the overall workforce. Without training, and without direct experience of literally caring for children, this means the profession overall isn't adapted to provide childcare - which is unsurprising as teaching isn't childminding because that's a separate career.

The Teachers' Standards state that we should:

  1. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
  2. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
  3. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
  4. Plan and teach well structured lessons
  5. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
  6. Make accurate and productive use of assessment
  7. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
  8. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities (relationships with colleagues, deploy TAs, communicate effectively, etc).

As you can see, none of this includes childcare, and our professional conduct simply requires us to act in accordance with the above. Unfortunately, families and the wider society who want to abdicate their responsibility for childcare to teachers are unable to do so and are, instead, just abdicating their responsibility and not caring for their own children.

^^ The word for this is neglect.

Unfortunately, families and the wider society who want to abdicate their responsibility for childcare to teachers are unable to do so and are, instead, just abdicating their responsibility and not caring for their own children

What do you mean by this, particularly abdicating their responsibility for childcare to teachers? Because there is a vast difference between families where 2 parents have to work being desperate for their school to open a breakfast club or an after school club so their kids can receive additional childcare to cover standard working hours, which, no matter what the anti childcare brigade says, isn’t neglect…vs genuine child neglect, as per a legal definition?

Nonunifiedworkerworking · 09/04/2026 22:39

ProudCat · 09/04/2026 22:32

I'm a teacher and, of course, I care about the children I teach in the sense that I want them to be safe, healthy and happy.

I don't have any training in childcare though. I completed my PGCE in 2022, and my ECT in 2024, so really quite recently. I have subject knowledge for the subject I teach and I was trained in teaching and learning techniques. I wasn't trained in first aid, any strategies for mental health support, nothing really. I bring years of experience as a mother and grandmother - my kids are all grown and in their 30s now and my grandchild is late teens. However, most of my colleagues don't. My age (late 50s) makes me the exception.

The teaching profession has been haemorrhaging older / more experienced teachers for years now and so it currently has some of the youngest people in the overall workforce. Without training, and without direct experience of literally caring for children, this means the profession overall isn't adapted to provide childcare - which is unsurprising as teaching isn't childminding because that's a separate career.

The Teachers' Standards state that we should:

  1. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
  2. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
  3. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
  4. Plan and teach well structured lessons
  5. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
  6. Make accurate and productive use of assessment
  7. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
  8. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities (relationships with colleagues, deploy TAs, communicate effectively, etc).

As you can see, none of this includes childcare, and our professional conduct simply requires us to act in accordance with the above. Unfortunately, families and the wider society who want to abdicate their responsibility for childcare to teachers are unable to do so and are, instead, just abdicating their responsibility and not caring for their own children.

^^ The word for this is neglect.

If this is the expectation of teachers, no wonder we have a problem, who is looking after the children whilst this happens do they expect a little cahoot of extra people looking after the kids whilst they teach😂

JLou08 · 09/04/2026 22:40

Differentforgirls · 07/04/2026 19:01

I don’t think schools were created to give parents free time. That’s my point. They were created to teach children the basics when they’re small. Reading, writing and arithmetic. The things that they need to know.

Show quote history

They weren't created for that but they were created at a different time. We now have 30 hours free childcare from 9 months for the sole purpose of getting parents in work. Formal childcare for babies wasn't a there when schools were created or for a long time afterwards. Children still need to be cared for when they go to primary school. If school wasn't already a thing the government would be setting it up as childcare provision to get parents in to work.

Magnificentkitteh · 09/04/2026 22:40

What do you mean by this though? Do you mean teachers can't replace parents and parents need to play their role in bringing up their child (fine) or parents sending their children to school thinking they'll be safe there are neglecting them (controversial pov I would suggest)?

Nonunifiedworkerworking · 09/04/2026 22:44

Nonunifiedworkerworking · 09/04/2026 22:39

If this is the expectation of teachers, no wonder we have a problem, who is looking after the children whilst this happens do they expect a little cahoot of extra people looking after the kids whilst they teach😂

Show quote history

And if I could pick teachers or be in attendance I definitely would because we have no choice, unlike all our other childcare options.

Pistachiocake · 09/04/2026 22:49

Differentforgirls · 07/04/2026 19:01

I don’t think schools were created to give parents free time. That’s my point. They were created to teach children the basics when they’re small. Reading, writing and arithmetic. The things that they need to know.

Show quote history

I agree, but when state schools began, mums didn't (usually) work and there would often be family to help out, plus leaving kids to fend for themselves was acceptable, so I think they tended to be respected as places that would educate, not just keep them. Of course I agree that schools shouldn't be for childcare, but apparently a lot of parents today think teachers should potty train etc. And over the pandemic, parents moaned whenever schools closed-I remember one mum complaining that she had a beauty appointment booked, so it wasn't even as if she needed to work/had other caring repsonsibilities.

JLou08 · 09/04/2026 22:50

ProudCat · 09/04/2026 22:32

I'm a teacher and, of course, I care about the children I teach in the sense that I want them to be safe, healthy and happy.

I don't have any training in childcare though. I completed my PGCE in 2022, and my ECT in 2024, so really quite recently. I have subject knowledge for the subject I teach and I was trained in teaching and learning techniques. I wasn't trained in first aid, any strategies for mental health support, nothing really. I bring years of experience as a mother and grandmother - my kids are all grown and in their 30s now and my grandchild is late teens. However, most of my colleagues don't. My age (late 50s) makes me the exception.

The teaching profession has been haemorrhaging older / more experienced teachers for years now and so it currently has some of the youngest people in the overall workforce. Without training, and without direct experience of literally caring for children, this means the profession overall isn't adapted to provide childcare - which is unsurprising as teaching isn't childminding because that's a separate career.

The Teachers' Standards state that we should:

  1. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
  2. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
  3. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
  4. Plan and teach well structured lessons
  5. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
  6. Make accurate and productive use of assessment
  7. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
  8. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities (relationships with colleagues, deploy TAs, communicate effectively, etc).

As you can see, none of this includes childcare, and our professional conduct simply requires us to act in accordance with the above. Unfortunately, families and the wider society who want to abdicate their responsibility for childcare to teachers are unable to do so and are, instead, just abdicating their responsibility and not caring for their own children.

^^ The word for this is neglect.

Parents can't care for their children whilst the child is in school. I'm not sure how you decide that it is neglect? It sounds like you're a secondary school teacher, which is very different to primary. Secondary school age children (disabilities aside) do not need caring for. Primary school age do, if we left them alone all day it would be unsafe and that would be neglect.
Childcare is a level 3 qualification which covers the EYFS curriculum. In what way do you think they are more qualified than a teacher to provide care?

Whenisitmyturntorest · 09/04/2026 23:00

ProudCat · 09/04/2026 22:32

I'm a teacher and, of course, I care about the children I teach in the sense that I want them to be safe, healthy and happy.

I don't have any training in childcare though. I completed my PGCE in 2022, and my ECT in 2024, so really quite recently. I have subject knowledge for the subject I teach and I was trained in teaching and learning techniques. I wasn't trained in first aid, any strategies for mental health support, nothing really. I bring years of experience as a mother and grandmother - my kids are all grown and in their 30s now and my grandchild is late teens. However, most of my colleagues don't. My age (late 50s) makes me the exception.

The teaching profession has been haemorrhaging older / more experienced teachers for years now and so it currently has some of the youngest people in the overall workforce. Without training, and without direct experience of literally caring for children, this means the profession overall isn't adapted to provide childcare - which is unsurprising as teaching isn't childminding because that's a separate career.

The Teachers' Standards state that we should:

  1. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
  2. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
  3. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
  4. Plan and teach well structured lessons
  5. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
  6. Make accurate and productive use of assessment
  7. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
  8. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities (relationships with colleagues, deploy TAs, communicate effectively, etc).

As you can see, none of this includes childcare, and our professional conduct simply requires us to act in accordance with the above. Unfortunately, families and the wider society who want to abdicate their responsibility for childcare to teachers are unable to do so and are, instead, just abdicating their responsibility and not caring for their own children.

^^ The word for this is neglect.

I would imagine the care aspect comes under 'Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment'. Surely all teachers are aware that schools have a legal duty to keep children safe?

Are you trying to warn parents that schools are unsafe places for primary school children to be, because teachers feel that doesn't form part of their job description?

Nonunifiedworkerworking · 09/04/2026 23:00

We are all equal, even if you haven't got a degree and teach, don't let them make you feel otherwise. And certainly don't let anyone start saying you neglect a child because you follow the law and send children to school. How very dare they.

Nonunifiedworkerworking · 09/04/2026 23:01

And well done for the teacher holiday amusement. It's like an arcade

HelenaWaiting · 09/04/2026 23:05

takealettermsjones · 07/04/2026 18:52

Well yes they are there to educate, but they are also in loco parentis and have a duty of care. So they do carry out some of the duties a childminder would.

They are not in loco parentis. Haven't been for decades. In certain circumstances, for example if a child is ill or injured, they are "required to act as a reasonable parent would" which isn't the same thing at all. Parental responsibility isn't transferable other than by a judge.

EwwPeople · 09/04/2026 23:06

ProudCat · 09/04/2026 22:32

I'm a teacher and, of course, I care about the children I teach in the sense that I want them to be safe, healthy and happy.

I don't have any training in childcare though. I completed my PGCE in 2022, and my ECT in 2024, so really quite recently. I have subject knowledge for the subject I teach and I was trained in teaching and learning techniques. I wasn't trained in first aid, any strategies for mental health support, nothing really. I bring years of experience as a mother and grandmother - my kids are all grown and in their 30s now and my grandchild is late teens. However, most of my colleagues don't. My age (late 50s) makes me the exception.

The teaching profession has been haemorrhaging older / more experienced teachers for years now and so it currently has some of the youngest people in the overall workforce. Without training, and without direct experience of literally caring for children, this means the profession overall isn't adapted to provide childcare - which is unsurprising as teaching isn't childminding because that's a separate career.

The Teachers' Standards state that we should:

  1. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
  2. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
  3. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
  4. Plan and teach well structured lessons
  5. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
  6. Make accurate and productive use of assessment
  7. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
  8. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities (relationships with colleagues, deploy TAs, communicate effectively, etc).

As you can see, none of this includes childcare, and our professional conduct simply requires us to act in accordance with the above. Unfortunately, families and the wider society who want to abdicate their responsibility for childcare to teachers are unable to do so and are, instead, just abdicating their responsibility and not caring for their own children.

^^ The word for this is neglect.

It is childcare in the strict sense that someone else is responsible for the children, which enables the parents to work . Why is this such a controversial concept? The kids are out of the house, someone else is looking after them/responsible for them , the parents have 6 free hours a day.

JoB1kenobi · 09/04/2026 23:09

I’m a teacher - with kids.
Yes of course our primary role is education - but, the time away from parents allows parents to work. It’s an inconvenience if a school is shut or closed early or if a child is sick.
Now, I’m not saying it’s acceptable to treat us teachers like private childcare, but I can understand how it can be a financial detriment to parents. Having said that, we all knew what the school year was like when we had kids - but who knew how difficult it can be to organise life with kids. A bit like teaching - you can’t teach the realities of teaching nor parenting - you have to experience it to get it.

Now using teachers to parent or as social workers, therapists etc - that gets my goat! If your child is mainstream and NT, they should be dry! They should tell the time. They should tie their shoes. They should use knives and forks.

Nonunifiedworkerworking · 09/04/2026 23:13

JoB1kenobi · 09/04/2026 23:09

I’m a teacher - with kids.
Yes of course our primary role is education - but, the time away from parents allows parents to work. It’s an inconvenience if a school is shut or closed early or if a child is sick.
Now, I’m not saying it’s acceptable to treat us teachers like private childcare, but I can understand how it can be a financial detriment to parents. Having said that, we all knew what the school year was like when we had kids - but who knew how difficult it can be to organise life with kids. A bit like teaching - you can’t teach the realities of teaching nor parenting - you have to experience it to get it.

Now using teachers to parent or as social workers, therapists etc - that gets my goat! If your child is mainstream and NT, they should be dry! They should tell the time. They should tie their shoes. They should use knives and forks.

Edited

None of these issues were in op, If these were the issues, they probably should have been mentioned, could have saved the op 2 days of posting messages and hidden ones 😂

ForUmberFinch · 09/04/2026 23:13

MrsOni · 09/04/2026 22:31

Why do you think people who trust teachers enough to care for their children are devaluing your role?

Because nobody is.

But schools, especially primary schools, like or not are providing childcare. Without it, parents couldn't work because we'd all need to be sitting in the classroom too.

That is a stone cold, indisputable fact.

Edited
Show quote history

My children’s primary school absolutely does not provide childcare. They educate them in literacy, numeracy, science, art, music etc. on occasions where they have had bumps or trips and require CARE, I have been called.

parents need to parent. Which sadly more than half do not. Expecting teachers to raise their kids. Nope.

if you want childcare, employ a babysitter.

EwwPeople · 09/04/2026 23:16

ForUmberFinch · 09/04/2026 23:13

My children’s primary school absolutely does not provide childcare. They educate them in literacy, numeracy, science, art, music etc. on occasions where they have had bumps or trips and require CARE, I have been called.

parents need to parent. Which sadly more than half do not. Expecting teachers to raise their kids. Nope.

if you want childcare, employ a babysitter.

Show quote history

Do you work while your children are at school? Do you also employ a babysitter to sit next to them while they are there?

This is getting ridiculous.

EwwPeople · 09/04/2026 23:21

JoB1kenobi · 09/04/2026 23:09

I’m a teacher - with kids.
Yes of course our primary role is education - but, the time away from parents allows parents to work. It’s an inconvenience if a school is shut or closed early or if a child is sick.
Now, I’m not saying it’s acceptable to treat us teachers like private childcare, but I can understand how it can be a financial detriment to parents. Having said that, we all knew what the school year was like when we had kids - but who knew how difficult it can be to organise life with kids. A bit like teaching - you can’t teach the realities of teaching nor parenting - you have to experience it to get it.

Now using teachers to parent or as social workers, therapists etc - that gets my goat! If your child is mainstream and NT, they should be dry! They should tell the time. They should tie their shoes. They should use knives and forks.

Edited

That is a valid point. Teachers definitely aren’t social workers and therapists and mediators and a hundred other things. They definitely aren’t the parent of the 30 (or even 1) kids in their class. The fact they’re expected to wear all those hats and pick up the slack for everyone else , expertly and flawlessly, while also teaching is absolutely bonkers, and honestly, setting them up to fail. But that’s a whole different thread and definitely not OP’s issue.