Leaving daughter on school grounds in the morning?

[MomofAM]

Hi guys! Badly need some advice as I didn’t go to school in the UK, I grew up in America and didn’t have any issues like this because of school buses.

I have a son in reception - their class doors open at 8:40am.
I have a daughter in Year 1, their class doors open at 8:45am.

I need to be at work by 9am latest. If I leave at 8:40am, I could make it. However, if I leave at 8:45am, I won’t. I’ve said to my daughter that she can play on the school playground for like 4-5 minutes (8:40-8:45) and then when her year group goes in, she can follow. She is a very mature 6 year old and I know she would be absolutely fine.

Just wondering if this okay to do? I’m really nervous about it for some reason. Also concerned that if I ask the school about it and they say no then I’ll be stuck - I’ll probably have to quit my job then.

To the OPs online school?

Is there a breakfast club? I know the cost can be frustrating but if there is one I would do that for now and hope you meet a few parent friends who might be willing to stand with them.

Coming from American schools I've never quite figured out why English primaries start so late, especially when busses aren't common and breakfast clubs or similar are an extra charge.

I’m in Scotland too and at our school and you aren’t allowed to leave your child before the bell until p5. I actually thought it was p4 and let my son start walking himself to school last year and got called in about it. My daughter was allowed to walk him in for her last year of primary but she had to wait with him for the bell and then run over to her entrance.

Our primary school has different timings for p1-2 and the rest of the school so lots of parents hovering around the school yard every afternoon. Was very annoying.

anyway I think it’s breakfast club or finding a trade off with another parent - maybe someone else is struggling with pickup and you could do that for them?

Is there not a breakfast club you could put her in or if not a childminder? 8.45 is quite a late start, so it is frustrating for you I can see, but that is what breakfast clubs are for.

That's interesting. I suppose because I'm in a big city and all my friends' & siblings' children's schools are the same set up I presumed it was pretty universal in Scotland. Perhaps not.

8:45am is very much the standard start time around me.

Hi guys! So I’ve asked the school and they said it’s absolutely fine if she just comes into the main office for those 4/5 minutes :)
Thank goodness! I was so stressed and uneasy about it all week!
Thank you for all the advice!!