Prep school offering 6am - 8pm, 51 weeks. How quickly is that going to become common then?

[EBDteacher]

I've just been reading an article in a local 'services for kids' type magazine about at prep school in the area that is going to offer fully integrated care from 8am-6pm 51 weeks of the year, with optional sessions 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm! It's going to be charged monthly at £500pcm (for the whole lot- not just the wraparound) like nursery fees.

The school terms are also going to be different to the state sector so parents can take family holidays outside peak times.

Wouldn't suit us as DH and I are both teachers but I can see it appealing to lots of working families. If a few schools start offering services like that how long before they all will?

£500 per month for all that doesnt sound like much at all.

bargain.

That seems very cheap, is that just for reception year or for other years too? I wonder how large the class sizes would be?

Which school is that? Could you PM me if you don't want to say? (not that I need any more schools to think about!).

Ha MollieO I thought you'd decided!!! They are only offering it to children in YR and 1 in 2012, although from what I can gather vith a view to rolling it through to Y6 as they go. 20 places in a year. Reckon they can guarantee being full!

here

Can they provide good quality education at those prices?

I have decided but the hours look good! Just curious. I've tracked it down and had a look. It seems an odd set up - offering education for 51 weeks a year but saying the children only have to attend 38 weeks. How does that work for lesson planning and continuity if the children are in school at different times? Really don't see how they can offer it at that price as it seems so cheap.

Very happy with my decision re ds's next school so no plans to change although I will have to alter my working hours until he starts boarding as they don't offer the same hours as ds's current school.

WTF
Why HAVE children if you plan to ship them out for those hours?
Just adopt an adult who hates you less 17 years later.

If the school offered a decent educating, I'd jump at the chance. A brilliant idea and I hope more schools follow suit.

It does seem cheap, I imagine it is subsidied by the church. The reception day sounds very academic (work sheets etc) and doesn't mention free play.

No results on the website since 2009. The admissions criteria doesn't mention faith, only an interview. I wonder if the subject comes up? What do they do outside of the school day? Is that where the indoctrination comes in? .
If I was bringing my children up in the Catholic faith and I needed wraparound care I would definitely go along and have a look.

"Wraparound"
FFS
the poor tykes get one week a year off - that is LESS than the legal limit for employees annual leave
just hire a nanny or have the poor sods adopted if you really want to see them THAT little.

They have school holidays and normal school days.

They just also have before and after school club and holiday clubs.

The implication isn't that they should go to school 51 weeks a year. The implication is they should go to school the same 48 weeks that you work.

If you have a full time job, it doesn't mean you love your children less. It does mean you need lots of childcare.

£500 pm is £6k per year, or £2k per term.

I certainly pay more than that on childcare.

it doesn't say your children have to GO for all that time - just that the childcare is offered as part of the package. My Belgian school is open 7.30 - 6pm every day and offers cover for the holiday. That doesn't mean is there for those hours - or doesn't have holidays.

Talk the children only have to attend 38 weeks of the year. What I don't understand is how it works for the other weeks. I agree that there appears to be a risk that they could be at school for up to 51 weeks of the year rather than 38 plus holiday clubs (which is what ds's school offers for about 49 weeks of the year).

I wouldn't want ds doing 48 weeks schooling a year. He is knackered enough on 38!

The other weeks will be holiday clubs. Of course they will.

And they will also be staffed by holiday club staff rather than teachers.

I don't know what i think about those hours, such a long day for tiny children But if you are happy for them to board the I guess you'd be ok with this.

It doesn't read like that. It mentions being open 51 weeks so parents can choose to take holidays when they want:

51 weeks of education and care means that there is no need for holiday clubs and no impact on parents' working hours.

I wouldn't want ds having potentially 51 weeks of formal education, which is what they appear to be offering.

There 38 weeks of school spread over 4 terms.

When are the teachers' holidays? What happens if, say, in the second week of August only one child is in school having taken the family holiday in May?

Couldn't do it to a child of mine. I would want them to be at home more/out and about more.

Yes of course any parent who needs longer childcare that some people deem appropriate don't love their children and only had them as status symbols. FFS. Piss off, love, there's a good 'un

Who was that directed at yeah?

Talkinpeace really. Sorry should have been clearer rather than my massive general rant.

I work shifts as does my dh, me for the NHS, him for the police. We will be l

Looking at private schools because we need flexibility. We of course wouldnt have him in for the whole 51 weeks but leave is pretty damn hard to get around school hols. Plus occ our shifts clash and we need early drop offs or late pickups.

Ds is in school 7.30am to 5pm and loves it. His next school's standard hours are 8am to 6pm although the terms are shorter.