Labour to extend school day to 8 till 6

[Mud]

What do you think of these new plans to be unveiled

[jessicasmummy]

would be good if its cheaper than childcare!

[Changed4Now]

Sorry so sound dumb but would it be 'compulsary?'

[charliecat]

hmmm, id never see my kids if they were at school that long.

[Elf1981]

When I first saw the title I was like "Noooooo!"
But reading the article, seems to offer a different type of childcare rather than working parents having to rearrange work hours to take children to school.
TBH, it sounds quite a good thing from my point of view. I'm expecting my first in October, and have thought about childcare for when I go back to work, but knew that when my child starts school, I'd have to rearrange my work hours. Will have to see how it all pans out. Certainly seems like a better idea than some ideas they have come up with in the past!

[charleepeters]

nope i wouldnt stand for it whats the point of having kids if there away from you that long??? my highschool tried to extend the schoold ay by an hour and the parents and kids were appaled by it and it only lasted a term, i dont tink it will happen

[Doddle]

Ruth Kelly will be unveiling this at the DS's primary school tomorrow morning, to be honest it's not really a new proposal just a formalisation of what many schools do already with breakfast and after school clubs.

Their breakfast club is a drop in and costs 50p, and the after school club is £4, so it's very reasonable. We only use the breakfast club at the moment as I have to be at work at 8:15am.

[Doddle]

It won't be compulsory, only for those who need it. Breakfast club is a lifeline for us.

[Ladymuck]

THe article seems to suggest that all schools will have to offer this provision - might be a bit odd for those schools where having 3 f/t working parents is not the norm? One of our local schools looking at an afterschool club but had very little interest.

[vickiyumyum]

oops - no comment on Charleepeters post as i suspect a whole argument could result form those comments.

as a working parent, i still don't agree with the plans to extend the school day, i just think that perhaps schools should offer optional breakfast and afterschool clubs for a nominal fee, without such huge waiting lists!

[vickiyumyum]

Ladymuck - 3 f/t working parents??

[Ladymuck]

Duh. Sorry - suffering sleep deprivation!

[Gobbledigook]

Fine if it's not compulsory. No way would I want my children in school for those hours.

I understand it's difficult for some parents to pick up kids from school and get them there in the morning so it will be great for them, but I feel some parents are just not willing to sacrifice work for the sake of their children and more and more people seem to be looking to others to take over their care. Personally I think it's important to be taking your children to school and being there for them when school finishes and for me, that's more important than pursuing a career. I know others disagree and I'll probably spark a row now but anyway, that's just my opinion.

[happymerryberries]

I'm glad to read that she isn't expecting the teachers to do the supervision. I rather like being able to look after my own children after school finishes when I can, and I wouldn't do the job if I was being expected to stay in school till six.

I like to be able to pick up my kids and do the extra work when they are in bed

[ScummyMummy]

I doubt it'd be compulsory, gdg. That wouldn't make sense. I think it's a good idea if they provide quality wraparound care. Some of the after-school stuff I've encountered hasn't been great and I know other mumsnetters have found this too.

[Trixie1]

oh yeah here we go again, taking the responsibility of a reasonable home life from the Employers again. The solution they propose will not give you any more family time, which is what parenthood it is all meant to be about aint it?

[happymerryberries]

I don't think that you could possibly make this compulsory. It is just going to be providid for those people that want it?

Having the chance for kids to ghave breakfast would be a huge advantage. Far too few of the kids that I teach have a proper breakfast. having something good to start the day would help their behaviour and concentration no end.

[edam]

'some parents are just not willing to sacrifice work for the sake of their children'??? Which parents would they be, GGK?

[Trixie1]

Next employers will be making you feel guilty cos you dont extend your hours in the full knowledge that you dont have the excuse of your children not being taken care of anymore.

[milward]

Excellent idea to have schools open from 8-6pm. Great for working parents and non working parents who need childcare for their kids. This idea works well in other european countries where schools are open from 7.30am to 6.00pm. Kids arrive and do activities or play in the playground. Afterwards there is a homework hour for older children and then free time. Kids go when their parents need the extra childcare as it's not compolsory and is flexible, costs are minimal. Plus no huge traffic jams am & pm to collect from schools as kids all arrive at different times.

[Gwenick]

Well first point - lets NOT make this into a working/SAHM debate - that's not what it's about!!

I think it's a good idea, especially for those kids who are 'latch key kids' - having to let themselves into the house after school and being there on their own. Formalising breakfast and afterschool clubs and making more of them available can only be good for working parents. In our town there's only one school offering an after school club, and although it's open to 'all' children the reality is that only children from that school manage to get places (and I know of one child that goes to the afterschool club - not because his mum works - but because he wantd to go!)

[Trixie1]

nah, my child, I look after it. (apologies to those who reeaally have to work). The hours are long enough.

[edam]

Good news as long as it is accompanied by other policies that support families where one parent wants to stay at home.. and as long as employers don't use it as an excuse to abandon family-friendly policies. I am worried that the whole trend of Government policy is to push parents into full-time work, with no support for families who want to make other choices.

I am concerned that the Government think they can do a better job of bringing up children than parents can. Three main reasons - the way the family courts are run, plans for a massive database of all children so social services turn up on your door stop if professionals ever make two comments about concerns about your child (how many posters have had HV's condemning them over baby's weight? and then if you ever have to go to A&E because little Johnny's fallen out of a tree, bam, full investigation) and making Margaret 'let's cover up child abuse' Hodge the children's minister FFS. Big brother is here and he wants our children...

[hunkermunker]

More concerned re plans to offer nursery staff training to spot criminal three-year-olds, tbh.

[Gwenick]

HM - ooo hope they don't spot my two boys..........since the big 'issue' over 'hoodies' has been running I've taken great delight (in the warmer weather) of making my two gorgeous little rascals where their 'hoodie' tops while out and about with me.

DS1 looked particularly 'hooligan' like the other day with his black hoodie, and camoflague (Sp) trouser

[edam]

True. Do you think they'd have reported Harry Windsor, or Jack Straw junior, or Euan Blair? Don't think so. Just us mere mortals...