Would you choose the nearer primary school or the cheaper childcare?

[Richtea67]

My DD10 is in year 6 and has been really happy in primary. When we moved here she was in year 1 and the only school that had space was 4.5 miles away (15min drive). Although the parking is a nightmare, it is on my way to work. A place became available at the school at the end of our road (3 min walk) when she was in year 2, but by that time she was so settled and happy that we kept her where she was. She'll be starting secondary school next year, and the most likely school she will get into is just down the road from her current primary.

I work 3x days a week (8:30-4:30), and my usual routine is to drop DD3 at nursery, then take DD10 to breakfast club at school. My DH does pick ups from wrap around care and nursery pick up. We're in a nice little routine.

The dilemma is DD3 starts primary school next year, and we were thinking of getting her into the school closest to us, as would be great to walk to school. She would also get to know more local children, and would be likely to know some children from her current nursery school. Also could easily walk home when she was year 5/6. However we have just found out that the wrap around care is extortionate for the closest school- 29 pounds per day! DD10's school charge just under 9 pounds. We would benefit from the government top up, but still seems very expensive. I could have the option of requesting spreading my hours over 4x days so that we didn't need the wrap around...the thing is I'm not sure how this will fit with my role and I think I would end up having to catch up with quite a bit of work in the evenings. Also if I ever changed job, I think I would be unlikely to have these hours accommodated. In all honestly I don't really want to work 4x shorter days and would prefer the 2x days off!

Now we're thinking should we just send DD3 to the school we're familiar with, with affordable wrap round. I would also be able to give lifts to DD10, until she is confident to cycle to secondary school.

We could stretch to the more expensive wrap around care for the closer school, but would need some careful budgeting and other things would have to go. Both the schools are excellent. WWYD?!

Don't base your choices on wraparound care - either school could have cancelled it, changed provider or changed costs in the next year.

I agree with not making the decision based on wraparound care. It can change very rapidly. And also just close down completely.

If it was me personally, I’d rather do 4 shorter days than have 2 days off in the week with children in school. My secondary age one especially needs a lot of taxiing around in the afternoons. It makes life so much easier having a parent who is done work by school run time. Dh and I work it between us so that one or both of us is always done by 3:30pm every day and it’s much better for quality of life.

Thank you for your replies, and interesting perspective on working shorter days @mindutopia. I suppose the other benefit to the school further away is that it's close to the secondary schools my older daughter will likely to go. I know eventually she will want to cycle herself (no bus), but when she first starts or if it's chucking it down it would be handy to drop them both. We have the school viewings arranged, so I guess it will be a case of weighing it all up.

If the routine has worked well for past 6 years I’d go with further away school especially if it helps with dropping elder child off.

Agree. I wouldn't assume any wraparound will even still be there for the next 7 years, much less that the costs will stay the same. Would probably weigh distance factors more significantly simply because they're not going to change. Unless you're likely to move house.

Are there any other options, local childminders?

Local school is better so makes friends. Can walk there by self in yr 5/6

asc can change

surely £30 a day is less than What you are paying nursery wise currently

look for cm

maybe once been at school a time or so and made friends and see if can do a swap /share with another mum - you collect both. She collects both

I think this was what I was thinking. However I do get what people are saying that wrap around care can change or be cancelled, and the other benefits. Yes £30 a day cheaper than nursey, but it stings a bit knowing other schools are £8-£9. Good idea to look at CM's, and also that could share picks ups when I get to know other parents at the school. Thanks.

Does it seem like either of the schools has factors that might make ongoing wraparound provision more viable than the other? For example I'd assume a bigger school is more likely to be able to sustain it than a smaller one.

You chose the best school. Every single time. It's about what's best for your child, even if a stretch, rather than about your convenience.