Would you leave them at home? (Childcare)

[Godzillasonice]

I have a bit of a dilemma as I’m a single mum of 3 aged 15,12 and 9. I’m a key worker so can put my children into schools but my problem is my work finishes half an hour later than my youngest school and won’t allow my 15yr old collect them from school as they have a no pick up by under 18s rule. For now my employer hasn’t called me in because of this But once the schools open again I’m going to have to go in.

So my question is if the school won’t budge on the picking up issue would you leave them at home with the older two? I’m just trying to work out how to manage the situation and i don’t feel it’s fair to put it on my oldest (middle one won’t help) to look after the two of them.

Sorry just realised this isn’t really in the right place.

Can't you negotiate a change in hours with your employer or send a letter saying your 9 year old will walk home alone and your eldest can let them in? - mine walked home from 8.

I second the idea of asking your employer to change your hours slightly. Could you start earlier - I'm sure the school cant prevent your 15yo from dropping her off - and finish earlier to collect her? Or work an hour in the evenings from home to make up the time?

What did you do before? Surely wa the same last term?

Well as none of them are R, Y1 or Y6, they will not be in for a while more. Also, what DID you do before?

That’s a stupid rule. We have many secondary siblings picking up their younger brothers/sisters at the primary and walking home with them.

That said, the 9yr old could meet the eldest one at the school gate/just off school property and walk home together.

15 is definitely old enough to babysit a 12yr old and 9yr old. It would not be for very long as you get out of work a half hour after school ends. So it’s just that plus commuting time. If you are worried about how fair that is, then negotiate a raise to the 15yr old pocket money as payment for them babysitting.

No pick up under 18 is bizarre. Year 7’s pick up from local primaries here. And by year 3 so at age 7/8 they can leave by themselves.

Before this the school did wrap around care. I work in a school so I can’t work from home. They allow children to walk home from year 5 so from September it will be fine.

Could a friends parent walk her out the school gate to meet your 15yo ?