DCs in different primary schools?

[smogwod]

Due to recently moving to a new town I'm facing a situation where come September DD2 will be starting reception at local school and DD1 starting Y2 at another school at least 20mins bus ride away. DH and I both work, tho not full-time but there's no way we can both be available for every school drop-off/pick-up. So how on earth can we manage? We don't have any family here and don't yet know anyone at either school so no help there. I don't suppose either school will be happy about late arrivals / early pick-ups? Has anyone else been through this, how did you manage?

Yep. I shared a school run with the parents of children in the similar situation. I used two childminders (oh, the schools were in different towns as well), and essentially just juggled everything and forked out for childcare.

It was a pita, but you do what you have to do.

Oh, and an after school club at the one school. It was a bit complicated, and every day was different. Mix and match.

If dd2 is going on the bus, it's no bother is it?

And periodically a breakfast club as well.

Will your dd2 be on a school bus?

Can you not get dd1 into the local school?

Before and after school club.

One did three days, the other did two.

No it's not a school bus.

Dd1's 2nd on the waiting list for the local school. She was first, so I was hopeful of her getting a place before September but she's just been bumped so realistically it's unlikely.

Really don't like the idea of school club (if it even exists!) for dd2 as she only turns 4 in September and school's going to be tough/exhausting enough I think.
I suppose my other option might be to keep them both where they are and delay dd2 starting school until a place for dd1 comes up.

Argh! As you say complete pita!!

If you want them both to start when they should, the some kind of after school/out of hours club or childminder is going to be necessary I would think.

Have you got dc1's name down on dc2 school's waiting list too?

If it is an england school then you have some flexibility with the reception child.

Since Sep2011 schools have been obliged to offer full-time places to children from the Sep of the year in which they turn five, however parnts do not have to accept. Therefore some parents opt to negotiate part-time school hours until their child is five.
You could arrange for example 4 full days, mornings only, 2.5 days etc for a while for your youngest giving time for your eldest to gain a place.

Are there childminders that will just take child to/from school? I could look into that.

If only I could drive I could possibly just make it between the 2 schools at pick up time (if teacher isn't as late as dd1's current one always is!). Obviously need to check on breakfast clubs.

I've got dd1 on the waiting list for dd2s local school but haven't got dd2's name on the other school list because we have a first/middle school system here so in 2 years time their schools would be even further apart. And at least that means I only have this problem for 2 years max!

Only if they have space in their numbers. I doubt many childminders would be keen on a twenty minute gig instead of being paid for three hours...

Around us there are a couple of out of hours clubs that will take children for short periods before ands after school, they open up into full time clubs during school holidays.

Our local council has a really comprehensive database of registered child care providers on its website. Yours might have the same.

yes, what Iwish said- OOH clubs do pick-up and drop-offs around here too.

Can you say roughly which town, as someone on here may know some that do in your area?

Have you asked the schools whether they know of any local childminders already doing drop off/pick ups. There are a couple at our school with adverts on the notice board. Will dd1 go to top of list when dd2 starts as her sibling?

Childminders can take school age children in addition too their numbers for preschoolers, but unless they are already doing the school run it would probably be a bit of a PITA for them, as the school run is for most people. (I mean of course being tied to two fixed times rather than spending time chatting to my dc on the way to school).

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions, I have a meeting at dd2's school next week so will see if they have a list of childminders.

For dd1 I actually have 2 schools to choose from v close to each other. Will need to check if either has school clubs with spaces I guess. Not the best criteria for school selection but needs must!