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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'm a teacher not a bloody babysitter!

152 replies

Rosieeo · 08/01/2010 19:35

So SO annoyed by the guy on BBC News 24 just now who suggests that if teachers can't get to the school they teach at because of snow, they should go to the nearest school and set up 'some kind of a crèche facility'!

How much would you pay a person to look after thirty kids for five hours a day? £8 per hour, per child? Then fantastic, bring it on!

Are teachers simply glorified babysitters? Am I being unreasonable to be so annoyed by this?

OP posts:
WilfSell · 08/01/2010 22:29

I haven't posted on the other threads but this is all nonsense isn't it?

The point is it is employers' responsibility to have contingency plans for employees not being available. And recently, more than ever they ought to, with flu and other emergency planning. One the one hand the dept of transport is telling people not to travel if not really necessary, on the other people are freaking out about the economy collapsing.

My news for all the angry parents is get used to the idea that everything cannot be controlled, but plan for it, not least by taking it up with your employers by asking them what they think you should do with your children. You might get further by joining a union.

piscesmoon · 08/01/2010 22:49

They do actually want the schools to open! Our local school is organising a snow clearing party for Sunday-quite how it will work, as more snow is forecast, I don't know-but at least they are trying.
I am surprised at the amount of people who don't seem to care what their DC does at school as long as they are there for 6 hrs. If teachers were to report to their local school it would all need to be organised in advance-I can see all sorts of difficulties where the teacher lives in a different LEA.

tethersend · 08/01/2010 22:51

Mind you, the thought of the teachers who live in posh SW London turning up to the PRU I work in is giving me a little warm fuzzy feeling...

gorgeousgirl · 08/01/2010 23:31

tethersend

BoneyBackJefferson · 09/01/2010 11:10

frogetyfrog

The day I consider myself "child care" is the day I leave the profession.

Oh and if I were a childminder at least I could refuse to have all the naughty children.

Wastwinsetandpearls · 09/01/2010 13:45

I don't consider myself a childcarer, not least because I teach secondary. But during school hours I am contracted to teach and care for childrem

BoneyBackJefferson · 09/01/2010 14:23

yes but if you were a childcarer that would be your title and you wouldn't have to teach at all.

Asthe OP has said we don't run some sort of creche facility.

Wastwinsetandpearls · 09/01/2010 14:26

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dobby2001 · 09/01/2010 14:30

Erm try telling the folks on the childcare board that they dont have to teach - have you not heard of EYFS then???

BoneyBackJefferson · 09/01/2010 14:57

Yes I agree

caring is part of the package, but even though it is an important part of the package it is a part of a greater whole. We as teachers are not just carers/baby sitters or childminders.

BoneyBackJefferson · 09/01/2010 15:02

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets standards for the development, learning and care of children from birth to five. All registered providers of Early Years care are required to use the EYFS statutory framework.

This page provides an outline of the themes and principles of EYFS and gives links to further sources of information, including the DCSF National Strategies website.

Wastwinsetandpearls · 09/01/2010 15:02

We are not just carers, I agree but it is a part of our role. I would have no objection to going to a local school to cover, if the admin and CRB side could be sorted out.

IMO schools in advance should have contact details of local teachers who are CRB cleared that they can contact to come in.

From a secondary perspective most departments have all their lessons and resources ready in advance and they should have cover lessons available. A cover teacher can then walk in and do a good job in most cases.

Ivykaty44 · 09/01/2010 15:04

Wilf I have

I have plan A - take dd to friends house when that parent isn't working - have that riend backwhen theri parent is working

I have plan B - I asked if I could take dd to work with me if they shut the school again, answer yes if it means I can work and we can keep open. I shall take lots of things for dd to keep her ocupied, not ideal.

Wastwinsetandpearls · 09/01/2010 15:10

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Ivykaty44 · 09/01/2010 15:12

Thats what friends do - watch each others dc so the parents can work.

BoneyBackJefferson · 09/01/2010 15:32

Wastwinsetandpearl

is that for friends or children from school

Wastwinsetandpearls · 09/01/2010 16:11

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gingernutlover · 09/01/2010 16:20

I am a primary school teacher and I have tried to get to school each day in the snow, with varied success but I have tried. I would be perfectly happy to go to my local school and lend a hand but ...

... the biggest flaw in all of this is that at 7am on the day when it is snowing, the head can't just assume that a load of teachers from other schools but live locally will turn up and help run the school - oh and have keys for it and alarm codes too!

at 7am, the head has to decide whether his/her actual staff can get there and if they can't they have to close.

LeightonCourtDiscoQueen · 09/01/2010 17:10

And what if there were loads of teachers living near to one school and none near another, which I expect is more than possible out in the countryside.

I'm planning to HE on Monday if school is shut again!

Wastwinsetandpearls · 09/01/2010 17:33

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Ivykaty44 · 09/01/2010 17:34

well if all the teachers turn up in one school they could have a disco and the single teachers could do speed dating... doubt that any dc will turn up they will be scating in the park

gingernutlover · 09/01/2010 17:37

true, in our very rural school on friday we had 10 staff (who drove an average of 10 miles to eb there) and only 22 children, was an interesting day. Some children who live within walking distance stayed home as I guess their parents didnt need babysitting service for the day

Wastwinsetandpearls · 09/01/2010 17:39

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BicycleBelle · 09/01/2010 18:10

I'm amused by the attitude that as a teacher it is some how insulting to be used for childcare. In an emergency we all have to do whether is necessary to help out. I am a professional also, but in the event of a swine flu outbreak my allocated role in the hospital I work in is to be an A&E porter / cleaner. If that is the way I can best help, that is fine by me. During this snow I have been working extra (voluntary unpaid) shifts assisting with the getting tranport organised to bring extra staff in and extra patients out of hospital. Neither of these tasks are remotely related to what my day job is, but it is in the best interests of the organisation that employs me. Meanwhile | am paying a fortune in extra childcare costs so that I can get to work with the school closed, so I personally would like the schools to open with whatever staff they have, and if there are not enough staff to teach formal lessons at least to organise safe activities to keep the kids occupied. We are supposed to be a community and should all therefore do what helps others. Its a shame that some teachers seem to think this is beneath them.

BellsaRinging · 09/01/2010 18:15

well I don't know that it's just teachers, but it's all civil servants. I work for a sort of civil service department and we're all told to go to our local office if we can't get in to the one we usually work at.