Sending kids to school until 6pm - how does this "help families"?

[gretagrape]

To me, it feels as though they are looking at this in totally the wrong way. The idea is that children will attend school until 6pm to help working parents. Why don't they look at it the other way around, eg, create an economy where it is normal for people (not just parents) to work flexible hours and to get part-time SKILLED jobs that pay a decent hourly rate, so children don't have to be holed up in school for longer than most office workers.
I'm so depressed at this government's lack of lateral thinking.

[morethanpotatoprints]

I think if the option was there for childcare why not?
As long as education finished at the normal time, then those wishing to stay could. The children with a parent to collect could go home at the usual time and would not miss any education from school.
I don't think the school day should be extended in academic terms as children have enough time being educated from 9am- 3pm

[MarshaBrady]

After school option fine, longer school hours no thanks.

[horsetowater]

So once sahm's go back to work, will be interesting to see how much we love the house prices going up.

Interesting point. I still believe that one of the reasons house prices went up in the first place is because women gained equality which enabled them to work around the 1980s. Two incomes meant a big upward trend in prices.

I think more school based childcare will push prices up in 'good' catchment areas as well and make urban areas more segregated.

[CuntyBunty]

Women gained equality HTW? I don't think so.

[horsetowater]

Gained a little bit more equality than they previously had. :)

[jellybeans]

Stupid idea. Sick of school being treated as childcare. Ffs we need better childcare as a seperate. And what about shift workers? Not everyone works 9-5. After school and holiday clubs as an option but not for all!!!! 2/3 mums either work part time or SAH soit doesn't even help the majority. All they want is for all mums back to work..

[curlew]

I don't think the suggestion is that it's going to be compulsory, is it? Or is it? I thought it was just offering breakfast and after school clubs- as quite a few schools do already.

Interesting that one of the reasons many people give for using private schools is the "wrap around child care". Why is it so shocking if stat schools provide the same?

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

"then we are back to not having enough skilled childcare" addicted to sugar

Be prepared tp pay a living wage and provide training and I'm sure the country could have it soon enough - there are already many skilled and qualified people working in the early years sector, but generally under-paid and under-appreciated. Also many more with great potential but who would benefit from more training and support.

[pointythings]

I just don't trust this not to be about extending the time spent on academic stuff. More maths, more spelling, crammed into tired heads just so that we can move up some meaningless international league table.

I'd be in favour of integrating schools and childcare, but only if the school provided adapted premises, not have children sitting in school classrooms on uncomfortable school chairs. So that would mean having dedicated spaces with comfy seating, access to games/books, provision of snacks. And ok, maybe a homework club for those who wanted it, but no compulsion there. There isn't going to be money for that.
I'd want to see separate staff for the childcare component too, so that children wouldn't have yet more time with the same old teachers - a feeling I am sure would be mutual, teachers work long enough hours as it is.

I've always worked full time and paid for childcare, but this idea seems to be about getting more people into low paid work. As for shortening holidays - no. Just no.

[Basketofchocolate]

Curlew - does appear to be 'school' during those hours and to cut school holidays to 7 weeks. So, not morning/after school clubs but actual school - for all.

[lljkk]

DS has behaviour problems and I could imagine, in dread of having to spend extra time with him, the entire teaching staff of the school signing a petition against this idea. It really wouldn't help anybody.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Actually I think this idea does have potential (though I'd not word is as Gove does I expect !) .... I think all schools should offer breakfast and after-school clubs, either on-site or locally with transport provided. I do think this would help families and especially mothers to access work opportunities. But of course it isn't the whole answer!

[fraiserno]

Agree with OP. Wrong in so many ways. Might as well not have children if they are going to be brought up by other adults. The opinions of those my children mix with have a big influence on them already and not always a good influence. Sometimes i cringe at the language i hear being used at our school and then hear the children repeat it or similar & my english is not great so it makes what i sometimes hear even worse! Could go on but will end with, what about the poor child whose experience of the school environment is - shall we say - not good but downright BAD and they have no escape for 9 or 10 hours a day?

[morethanpotatoprints]

I don't think this has been thought through properly at all.

Shortage of good childcare and they want sahms to go to work.
So training for sahp's so they can be paid to look after somebody else's children while paying for somebody to look after theirs.
We are going to become a nation of childcare workers, why not just make parents redundant.
Stupid government.

[HeeHiles]

This policy is obviously so business don't have to provide flexible working - it helps everyone but the child - I hope it doesn't go through!

[JassyRadlett]

Htw, your second paragraph needed a hell of a lot more than a comma or two. A little empathy and a little less judgemental comment, perhaps. Two seconds of thought beforehand, maybe.

I'd argue very strongly that keeping a roof over my kid's head is prioritising him. If I'd found my way onto the property ladder a decade earlier, or had a job that existed outside of big cities. I'd love to have the option to be a stay at home parent but as the main earner, I can't. My husband doesn't want to, and that's fair enough too. We both work a bit flexibly which helps but don't you dare suggest I don't treat my son as the top priority in my life.

It would be really nice if these sorts of threads didn't turn into frankly ignorant and divisive mudslinging. You feel good about your choice/circumstances? Great. Be secure in that and don't feel that the only way it stands up is to denigrate the choices and circumstances of others.

For the record, I reckon this idea is bonkers, would give employers a reason to pull away from flexible working (more employers I see use flex working for talent retention, and my current employer is very good at supporting job shares at all levels (including on the board). I'm a huge advocate for good-quality wraparound care as standard, but it must be optional.

[mummymeister]

Just for once could Gove, his cronies and any politician put forward an idea that actually has the child and their needs at the centre of it?

[HeeHiles]

mummy children don't pay tax! Their needs will never be considered by this lot!!

[horsetowater]

As I said before, ASK THE CHILDREN WHAT THEY WOULD PREFER. It's about them isn't it? Or is it just about money again.

[Bonsoir]

Who cares about children's welfare anymore

[horsetowater]

Yeah they don't even pay taxes.

[JassyRadlett]

Horse, was that aimed at me? Not sure what your point is.

[Ubik1]

The sooner children learn that they are units for production of wealth, the better. None of that running about in the park with your mates after school, rollerskating down hills, swimming or cackling at the TV. Oh No.

Better to instil a work ethic, all the better to service the needs of capitalism.