Schools should 'provide sleepovers' to help parents with cost of childcare

[Itchyandscratchy]

Here

Speechless.

[Tasmania]

Portofino

They are all barking mad.

OR mums who don't like working, and think any scheme like this would discredit an excuse to not go back to work.

I also don't get the "poor workers" point (the ones to look after kids) when other countries DO this.

[Elibean]

I think Rabbit (at 23.18) hit on a huge, huge point.

Care needs to be valued more highly. There is this mad war going on between working v caring - until women, people, understand that a community needs both and cannot possibly be healthy without both, the situation is unlikely to improve.

Families are mini communities. And they need care as well as work, whoever does it (not outsourced).

Shoving kids into school sleepovers, IMO, is a symptom of a society that is frantically trying to avoid the real problem.

[Tasmania]

BUT WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE ON HERE COMPLETELY IGNORE YOU WHEN YOU KNOW IT WORKS IN CERTAIN COUNTRIES?!?

Are people in the UK really that ignorant to what goes on outside of this tiny island??? Brits typically blame Americans for being so... but this forum makes me think they are guilty of this themselves!

[Bonsoir]

I live in France where the set up for wraparound care and school holiday care is very similar to that described above by Portofino in Belgium.

Except that no-one thinks it is fantastic and works very well. It is at best just adequate. It costs the council a fortune to provide. Most DC hate it.

[exoticfruits]

I don't think that people are unaware of what happens elsewhere- it is just unaffordable here. The tax payer isn't going to fund it, the majority of parents can't afford it and qualified staff are not going to work for peanuts.
You can have whatever childcare you please but it has to be paid for.

[jellybeans]

'OR mums who don't like working, and think any scheme like this would discredit an excuse to not go back to work.'

Perhaps it is people concerned that the needs of parents/government are being put before those of a child.

'School are not, and were never intended, to be about childcare. They have child friendly hours and it is up to the parent to sort out childcare around them. Breakfast club and after school club are not the best way for the child, especially the young child-they need to get away from the institutional setting.' Totally agree with this exoticfruits

[exoticfruits]

Paying for a child minder or nanny is a much better option for the child- especially the young child. You are going to have to pay so you might as well pay for individual care.
Even back in Victorian times, with the first education act, or Ragged Schools etc it was to benefit the child ( and possibly the later work force) it was never about free childcare.

[exoticfruits]

In those days many parents would have preferred them to be out at work, or at home minding younger siblings. Schools were about children and not about parents.

[mumeeee]

I agree exoticfruits. Schools should be about children and their education not about childcare for parents,

[RowanMumsnet]

Ahem

We know this is the sort of topic that gets people hot under the collar, but please stick to the Talk Guidelines and cut out the personal attacks.

Thanks

[MortifiedAdams]

Its all well and good saying businesses need to be more family friendly but in most cases, ut just isnt possible. I cant kick customers out of my place of work because all the staff have to go and pick their kids up from school - or I could just let the guests serve themselves their own drinks or change their own bedsheets.

CMs and Nurseries dont open at weekends so Ill just tell the Bride and Groom whos wedding im.running on the weekend that either I bring my child along or theyll have to run their own day.

Businesses cannot always become more family friendly.

[jellybeans]

It should also be easier for a parent to stay home or both parents to work part time/one part time instead of both parents being pushed full time. It would probably work out cheaper in many cases and free up jobs.

[MortifiedAdams]

It would be good if you could run a house, a car and have a few days away jn the sun once a year on 20k. Then families could have one parent at home or both parents PT.

[SoupDragon]

Some people seem to be getting confused as to the difference between the facilities offered by state schools and private ones. Some of the comments are laughable - swimming, wonderful facilities including X Y Z oh, but, we went private because state school didn't offer wraparound care. LOLOL.

As for the school day not being fit for purpose. It is perfectly fit for it's purpose which is to educate children.

I have no problem with schools offering after-school care at a cost but the sleepover suggestion was simply stupid. If you need extended childcare then organise it and pay for it.

[Trigglesx]

I can't imagine this ever flying anyway. First of all, if the "care group" uses the facilities for the afterschool hours/evenings or overnight (which is an awful idea IMO), there will be huge issues over who is responsible for what. I assume there is some sort of insurance on the buildings, which could be affected by subletting (which is what it would be) a large portion of hours to an outside company. The insurance would either go up or cancel and not be willing to cover.

And what about risks of theft and damage to not only buildings/school property, but to student/teacher property as well. Add in the health and safety issues, along with the extra cost of cleaning, utilities, staff, and food (as many schools don't have the equipment to do an evening meal which they'd need if they were running until any time after 6pm). There is no way on earth it would be affordable.

And what about the inconvenience to the school itself? Schedules would be disrupted (because childcare needs to be consistent or what's the point), so parents evenings, setting up in the afternoon for morning or next day activities, deep cleaning/repairs/refurbishment in the off hours or holidays is suddenly a whole lot more difficult.

Security is also an issue. In order to run this type of programme, people other than school employees are going to need keys and passcodes for the property. The more this info is shared, the more likely it's insecure. And if they leave a door unlocked or gate open, it's going to be a "who's fault is it?" issue.

And it doesn't matter if the "care group" rents the space for the afternoon/evening, if someone gets hurt, the LA is going to end up being sued, deep pockets and all, because they are technically the owner of the building. And I highly doubt the LA wants to open themselves up to this.

If the government is so concerned about safe affordable child care in off hours, why don't they work on making more safe affordable childcare available in general? There's absolutely no need to use school buildings. IMO this is just (as someone else has already said) to soften everyone towards the idea of longer school days. They need to stop trying to make school be "work-friendly" and fitting it into work hours and start working on what's best for the children.

[scottishmummy]

Easier for whom if there is a housewife or two pt working parents?
I don't need to work I chose to work,I want to,I'm enjoy it i good at it
I don't want my job pt I'm happy ft at full pelt, I welcome govt thinking about childcare after school finishes

[Bonsoir]

A lot of I's in your post, scottishmummy.

[exoticfruits]

Exactly- nothing about the child- just the parent.

[scottishmummy]

Naturally salmond would have to embrace the sentiment in Scotland too
He can maybe do so when not worrying about trams or devolution

[Bonsoir]

She never ever posts about her DC.

[jellybeans]

You could still choose to work ft though SM even if the norm became two parents each working pt.

I agree there should be good childcare for those who need it. Our school has a good before and after club. But it isn't extended school.

Many people don't need extended childcare though and many have family childcare or friends and childminders. So as long as they don't try to force all kids in school 8 till 6 then those who don't agree can continue 9 till 3 as they do now or using out of school childcare and after school clubs. .

[scottishmummy]

lol,cut to the chase bonsoir why don't you just shout boo hiss!she's behind you
Give you seem to pop up on this thread to tell me what a bad un I am.i like the predictability
Maybe embellish with some bold a few humphy faces and wahey you're set

[Bonsoir]

Just trying to give you some insight, scottishmummy. I'm reaching out and trying to help you