Giving up work in September?

[HowLongWillThisGoOnFor]

Today we had the plans for my children’s return to primary school in September. I have four in different year groups, all with staggered start and end times. I have to drop the first child in at half 8, and the last child in at 9.10.

At the end of the day I’ll be at the gates for 2.30 for the first pick up, until 3.10 for the final pick up.

There will be no before and after school care, this has been confirmed. No available childminders and even if there was, the staggered start and end times are a logistical nightmare. No family help.

My job is student facing in further education and it cannot be done from home. I rely on the wraparound.

My tax credits should rise with my drop in income, so I should be able to clear bills with not much surplus. I will have to hand my notice in. Anyone else in a similar situation?

@MamanSparkles I’m pretty sure it said in the Dfe guidelines that teachers can divide themselves and multiple, so piece of cake 😉

I'm WFH at the moment but if I get called back to the workplace I'd not be able to pick up early. Obviously I'd explore options: babysitter, partners hours, negotiate with my work, friends etc but if none of that worked I'd let school know I'd be picking up normal time. Can't really see how they can force you to get there early 🤷 all they can do is call ss who have bigger issues to deal with. School would dump DC in the office. I'd not loose my job over this.

@HowLongWillThisGoOnFor have you asked at the local nurserys? Theres 2 near me that do wrap around for some of the local schools

We don't know about plans for September yet but I was called yesterday by the before and after school club to inform me that they aren't allowed to take KS1 children, so I'm hoping that my employer will be happy for me to continue working from home as otherwise I won't be able to carry out my full hours.

@Uhoh2020 don’t know many of the nurseries around my kids school (it’s not my local school) but I shall look into that, thank you for the suggestion.

I really feel for you OP, and understand how tricky it must be to sort childcare for four DC. Is there any wraparound care options outside of school? E.g. here there is a nursery which also does breakfast and after school club and drives the kids to/from the school. I'm sure you've already explored this option though.

Me and DH are both teachers, no communication about next year plans yet from my DS primary or our workplaces. But if there is no wraparound care we are really going to struggle. We too choose the school DS goes to as it has really reliable before and after school clubs which we need daily.

Haven't been given any details for our primary or secondary yet. But expect it to be similar, plus different schools under different councils.

Thanks gin for all I am going to look into local nurseries. I hope your school continues the wraparound.