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Original poster

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

241 replies

EBDteacher · 25/03/2012 15:26

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?

OP posts:
SardineQueen · 26/03/2012 21:48

I agree with porto that being open 6-8 does not necessarily mean children are there that long.

Many families both have early starts but one gets home in time to pick up. 7 - 3 = not end of the world. etc.

Portofino · 26/03/2012 21:49

You can love them - doesn't mean you have to adore tantrums and potty training. A lot of bringing up children is boring and shit. I love my dd beyond measure, but when it is 10 to 8 and she doesn't have her shoes on and screams when I brush her hair.....

SardineQueen · 26/03/2012 21:52

I don't like being the primary carer for my children either, indigo. Assuming that is what you mean Smile

Swed · 26/03/2012 21:55

It's always puzzled me that people are willing to leave babies from 8am til 6pm but get sneery about the same hours when the same children are vocal and ambulant. Confused

Fitting in work when you have children is genuinely difficult.

Titchyboomboom · 26/03/2012 21:55

Indigo - you seriously hate it? Being a mum isn't about perfect houses, perfect children and hippy earth mothers... it is about doing what you can for your children so that they can reach adulthood well rounded... whatever that means for you!

I adore being a mum, and I don't think people make out it is the best thing ever... I honestly think it is the best thing ever... My dd is amazing

However, my sister hates hates hates being a mum half the time... she is a sahm on benefits and I think her kids would be better off if she worked long hours and put them in after school clubs as they wouldn't have to deal with her crap from having such low self esteem and no sense of purpose... don't know which is worse... that's the other side of the coin! People don't work and are worse for their children as they are so unhappy

IndigoBell · 26/03/2012 21:57

Sardine - Yeah that's what I meant.

But it's a really stupid thing to say 'you shouldn't have had kids'.

I know that now.

Titchyboomboom · 26/03/2012 21:58

Indigo... do your children know you hate being a mum..?
My nieces and nephews do and it is tearing them up as the years go on

AnxiousElephant · 26/03/2012 22:00

Well I have read this thread with interest. I am a part-time working mum and have to commute for 1 hour to and 1 hour from work, so leave at 8 and return at 6 on one night. If I didn't have a good childminder who is open until 6pm (which many aren't!) I would relish this school.
As for those saying .......oh the days we had picnicing, riding bikes blah blah blah ............I didn't have that and don't feel deprived. My parents worked to give us a decent life. It also set a good example of 'in order to have nice things or lifestyle, you must work'. More to the point I have visited several independent schools who have all these opportunities (and more green space to do this) than we have on a housing estate. They also have a much wider range of activities than I can physically provide at home such as horse-riding, ballet, swimming, arts and craft, music etc etc. This is far better than my childminder who provide arts and craft, cooking and tv! This is not a slur on her but she is restricted due to the varied ages of children in her care, some who are babies.
Therefore, this seems like a brilliant option, especially for those working shifts. I used to be a nurse in operating theatres with a DH away working lots. I had to stop because I could not cover childcare on shifts.

SardineQueen · 26/03/2012 22:01

Well I'm with you. It is the most difficult, frustrating, stressful job I have ever had.

I am looking for a full time job
And am on Anti-Ds Sad

Hope you are OK.

I wouldn't not have them though. I love them and it's not just about me is it.

IndigoBell · 26/03/2012 22:01

I seriously hate it.

I see parenting is another job. Except I can't quit. And it's vital I do a good job of it. And I have no holidays. And obviously rather than paying it costs.

I'm mostly doing a good job of it. But I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

SardineQueen · 26/03/2012 22:02

That was to indigo Smile

SardineQueen · 26/03/2012 22:03

There are lots of women who feel the way you do on here, Indigo.

Portofino · 26/03/2012 22:03

How old are your dcs? Is there anyone who can take then for a day or so t give you a break?

IndigoBell · 26/03/2012 22:04

I'm OK. And my kids are doing great.

And they don't go to private schools. I have a nanny instead.

SardineQueen · 26/03/2012 22:08

Good to hear, indigo Smile

Smugfearnleyshittingstool · 26/03/2012 22:08

I read it as 20 kids in each class, not year. They could offer more than 1 class per year group if the demand was there, more viable maybe?

WillowFae · 26/03/2012 23:34

MollieO - sounds like my children's prep. They are 8-6, 48 weeks a year. Term time is the standard amount of time and the rest are playscheme. You can pay term time fees, add extra for 4-6pm, or you can pay all inclusive for 8-6 including the playscheme weeks.

manicinsomniac · 27/03/2012 01:25

This sounds like a fantastic and affordable option for a lot of families. Obviously it wouldn't be for everyone but that doesn't mean there'sanything wrong with it.

I find the people saying that those of us who need a lot of wraparound care shouldn't have had children somewhat offensive.

I am a single parent therefore it is impossible for me to do anything other than work full time.
I never meant to have children and never meant to raise them alone.

When your only viable choices are childcare or abortion childcare suddenly doesn't seem so evil does it?!

AnnieLobeseder · 27/03/2012 09:14

Oh look, the "why have children just to dump them on strangers?" brigade are out here in full force. Hmm

FFS!

  1. not everyone has the luxury of deciding not to work so that they can play precious moments mummy with little Tarquin. Some people need to work so little Tarquin will have a roof over his head and food on his plate.

  2. very few people will use all the hours offered, but with a long day offered, working parents can pick the hours that suit them best, without having to break the land speed record every afternoon to get to two childcare settings before they close at 6pm!! (my daily stressful reality)

  3. children in wraparound care are spending the afternoon / holidays playing, mostly outdoors, with their mates, not sewing trainers in a sweatshop, cleaning chimneys or down a coal mine.

Get over yourself before you hurt yourself falling off your high horse.

SardineQueen · 27/03/2012 09:26

Good post annie.

And raises another good point

When I was growing up I didn't spend my school holidays with my parents. I spent them out playing with the children who lived nearby. My parents were simply people who were there to provide food, and ruin everyone's fun at bedtime.

Given that children in many places don't really play out any more, maybe them going to a setting of some sort and spending the day there having adventures is the next best option.

No school age child worth its salt would rather spend time with their parents than with a load of other kids, surely.

DialsMavis · 27/03/2012 09:40

DD's nursery is open 7.30am- 6pm, i don't really see the difference; except surely it's worse for babies, I thought that was fairly standard? I would love for her nursery to be open until 6.30pm or evens 7pm on extremely rare occasions. Why? because I hate her and want other people to bring her up for me.... or because due to DP's work he can usually drop her off at 9.30 am but I can't take a job in the city centre and be back for 6pm. So yes, flexibility.

redglow · 27/03/2012 12:19

Think the only one that got on their high horse is you Annie . Mums net is an opinion site. We are not supposed to agree. Sardine queen my children do play out, or they get home and chill on the sofa. They have also done ballet, and horse riding you don't have to resort to wraparound care to do this.

Yes there are lots of people that need to work and there is also a lot who don't .

SardineQueen · 27/03/2012 12:47

I don't think it says anywhere is the MN posting rules that we are nor supposed to agree Confused

I agree with annie, for a start Smile

redglow · 27/03/2012 13:04

Yes a bit childish to go through the thread and say who we agree with.

Portofino · 27/03/2012 13:22

I agree with annie too

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