The Attendance Officer!

[Mumof1plustwins]

Has anyone else had experience dealing with the attendance officer?
I had an unpleasant meeting with one because my DD (5) attendance has fallen to 81% (they would like it to be above 85%)
But it's only because of illness, the birth of her twin brothers and again illness (they were admitted to hospital for a few nights)
But the attendance officer abruptly stopped me and said her only concern is dd (and she got her name wrong!)
But whether she's interested or not I still have 3 children.
I just wondered what anyone else's experience with them is like?

[Bunnyjo]

I do have sympathy OP. Our DD, who turned 4yo at the end of August - so not statutory school age, started reception a week late. I was in hospital having emergency surgery on the day she was due to start school and was kept in for 4 nights, then our DS (3mo at the time, now 8mo) was rushed into hospital with suspected meningitis and we spent a further 3 nights in hospital. The school were fully understanding and co-operative, but I did communicate with them at all times and the reason for delaying her start was because she was already worried about starting a new school and this was compounded with further worry because her mummy, then baby brother, were really ill in hospital.

What I would say is 81% is very low though, it equates to around 13 days absence last term! Was your DH not on paternity leave when your twins were born, could he not have taken your DD to school then? Your DH could have also taken unpaid leave for dependents when you were in hospital with the twins, not ideal but sometimes it is necessary. As difficult as it is, I think you're going to have to organise back-up plans for if this situation arises again. Hopefully your DD's attendance improves this term and everything works out fine.

[givemeaclue]

Not really clear on how your dd is managing to miss a fifth of the days when she is due at school?

[Mumof1plustwins]

We can't afford for my OH to take unpaid time off, its either miss a day of school or go in and not be able to pay the bills.
My boys were admitted to hospital unexpectedly that's why she missed school, I didn't have time to arrange for her to go in.
I don't have any family or friends I can leave her with, it's unfortunate but it's the situation, and OHs family choose not to help
And I won't change her school because she's currently going to a very good one and I will not be forced to send her to any other.
But thank you for your comments, I shall just have to improve her attendance in future.

[HolofernesesHead]

Could you get involved with the PTA and make some friends through that? Or a local toddler group or community group? It's really worth getting to know people. Sorry to hear your dc have been ill :(

[3duracellbunnies]

In the longer term is there any possibility of moving closer to the school, I imagine once they are all in school it will get quite expensive on the bus, obviously easier if you are renting than own it. That was why we ruled out one school - I didn't have a car in the day and though doable by bus it wasn't easy. Is she in reception or yr 1? If in yr1 ask them how often in last calendar year she was off (jan-jan) - might show is just a blip. Hopefully as pp says you will start to make some friends who can help out, and of course as they all get a bit bigger and healthier it will help.

13 days sounds like a lot, but it sounds as if only some of those days are due to other circumstances and often children are ill a lot when they start school. I send mine in if they have colds, but not fevers and if they vomit they can't go for 48hrs, which meant dd missed a day last term when she was fine, I would have sent her, but she was sick on the saturday, so had to stay at home. It only takes a few times of vomiting and a couple of fevers to notch up 10 days. The school are quick to say when they can't come in, then complain that they aren't there. Fortunately mine always end up over 95/97percent so not had a problem. Not so sure would be so high now as winter term is when they are usually ill.

[Mumof1plustwins]

School doesn't open the gates til 8.30 ( line up at 8.45) and no breakfast club.
I'm not too concerned now, as long as I have drs notes for when she's ill we should be fine