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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

What’s the latest you could feasably get to school in the morning?

86 replies

GreySkiesAboveMe · 02/05/2018 12:26

Just some advice really.

I start a secondary scitt in Sept, I have 2 primary aged children at home and I’m currently trying to figure out before school childcare.

I’ve looked at all of the schools I might be placed in and the earliest registration is at 8:40.

With that in mind, what would be a reasonable time to arrive in order to set up for the day. No marking or planning, just setting up.

Thanks

OP posts:

Changebagsandgladrags · 02/05/2018 17:39

Could you ask your lead school now for advice?

AreWeDoingThisNow · 02/05/2018 17:46

PGCE year here (science).

First placement had no morning reg, first lesson started at 8:55. Morning briefings from 8:35 two morning a week, managed nursery drop off at 8 and a 15 minute commute, in by 8:20 most days.

Second placement AM reg at 8:30, morning briefings 2 days a week at 8:10. Moved nursery drop off to 7:30 so I can be in by 8:00 (only a 10 min commute, so usually in by 7:50.

In September I'll have a 30-40 min commute but AM reg is 08:50 so should be ok.

You may be in different classrooms for each lesson/reg so set up time is a myth anyway - you need to be able to walk in ready, give them a task straight away to give yourself time to set up.

You'll probably need to be in by 8:15 for morning brief for the 8:40 reg I should think. 08:10 to give you chance to check email 1st thing.

ohreallyohreallyoh · 02/05/2018 21:53

The other thing to try is your local children’s information service - at the very least they should be able to give you a list of childminders. Last time I spoke to mine, they did some phoning round for me which helped. You can ask - a childminder might not want it permanently but might do you a short term favour, particularly if they need the money. If you don’t ask, you do ‘t get!

user2929 · 03/05/2018 05:30

I'm an experienced teacher. I'm in at 7 every day, the children start at 8.20.

HappyHedgehog247 · 03/05/2018 05:37

May be worth advertising on childcare.co.uk. I had a job last year that involved some early morning travel and I had a nanny just for couple hours in the morning. It's expensive but I knew it was for just 1 year and some days. Also meant DC didn't have to get up so early on those mornings.

EllenLydia · 03/05/2018 05:58

I once had a job where I took the children to work and the childminder picked them up there.

parrotonmyshoulder · 03/05/2018 06:31

You could try talking to your children’s headteacher, explaining the situation. They should be very supportive of new teachers, whichever school they’re in. There are likely to be other parents who would benefit from an earlier start to before-school club.

Original poster

GreySkiesAboveMe · 03/05/2018 06:37

Thank you, I’ll a chat with my dc school today.

I live rurally so even if there was a childminder in the next village, they won’t do drop off at my dc school.

It’s just so shit that childcare is so hard to sort before 8am! There must be loads who need to start early!

OP posts:

Piggywaspushed · 03/05/2018 07:05

To support the PPs who say ask your head this did happen for me when my DCs were young. Enough people asked if breakfast club could start earlier than 8 that they actually pushed it forward to 7.45 (and made more money!)

There is a shortage of teachers and here presented we have one of the reasons which stop (mainly women , who dominate the workforce) from even beginning training!

MidniteScribbler · 03/05/2018 12:29

I get to work between 7 and 7:15 for an 8:40 school start. We don't have to 'officially' be there until 8:25, but I'd be so frazzled to get there that late. I need to spend some time at my desk, go over the day. I've always been like that, even before teaching. I liked to get in early before anyone else does to have some quiet time. I'm generally the first to arrive, but it would be unusual for any of the teachers at my school to arrive after 8.

I'm not in the UK, but I assume what you are doing is your teacher training course? I admit I'd be very surprised if any of my placement students regularly got in any later than 8:15 so that I could go over everything for the day with them.

I'm not immune to childcare issues, but I have to work around it myself, so I would expect someone who is about to become a teacher to have suitable arrangements in place in order to undertake their role. I am flexible, but running in the door five minutes before the bell is always going to be last minute rush and panic and put you on the back foot before the day even starts.

Original poster

GreySkiesAboveMe · 03/05/2018 16:13

That’s not what I want midnight

A friend has offered to have them before 8, but it’s such a big ask. Plus if they don’t want to do it anymore (after realising how big a favour it is!) I am back to square 1.

OP posts:

MsJaneAusten · 03/05/2018 16:33

I think this is a common problem. It's crap. And, I have to say, I find attitudes like Midnite's really unhelpful. I'm sure most people would like to be in early and get themselves sorted, but it's just not possible for a lot of working parents, especially in rural areas where there aren't a lot of childcare options. Some people have to change their approach (leaving everything ready the night before for example, or bringing their work into school in labelled folders so that it can easily be set up). I pulled a (male) member of SLT up on this in the first week at my current school when he was saying you could tell who would teach well by what time their car arrived in the car park. I pointed out that every single member of my team has childcare commitments that mean they arrive after 8am, and every single one is a fantastic teacher that I value hugely.

Having said that, I've learnt that the 'drop and run' technique doesn't really work for me, so like a PP, I use a nanny just from 7am-9.15am each morning. She gets the kids' breakfast sorted and takes them to school, then they do after school clubs until I can pick them up. It works well for us, and means that I also have someone to call on if the DC are ill and need to be off school. It's definitely worth looking into. Try childcare.co.uk. That's where we've found people.

Or would an au pair be an option for you? That's our plan when the kids are a bit bigger.

MsJaneAusten · 03/05/2018 16:34

Sorry, just saw your last comment about a friend. Could you set it up as a proper nanny contract so that you're paying her to do it and she's less likely to pull out without notice?

Piggywaspushed · 03/05/2018 16:39

I pulled a (male) member of SLT up on this in the first week at my current school when he was saying you could tell who would teach well by what time their car arrived in the car park.

I've heard this one before , too, and the old own jacket 'I'm still her, working hard' trick , too.

Twats.

Piggywaspushed · 03/05/2018 16:39

owl jacket...

noblegiraffe · 03/05/2018 17:36

And you see it on here: ‘teachers say they work hard but the car park is always empty by half four’.

Original poster

GreySkiesAboveMe · 03/05/2018 18:01

Yeah msjane I will definately offer money, but makes sense to sort out some sort of contract too

OP posts:

MsJaneAusten · 03/05/2018 18:03

We use Nannytax.com for contracts/payroll etc. Hope that helps.

Flyingpompom · 03/05/2018 18:22

If you've got more flexibility at the end of the day so can stay late, it's not too hard to cope getting in later.
Honestly, I stroll in 15 minutes before the kids, and I am not stressed because I'm organised and everything is ready.
I can generally stay as late as I need in the evening so I don't leave until everything is ready for the next day.

You say a friend has offered to help out...take her up on it! You can pay her back with childcare in the holidays or something.

Do not give up now, it is totally doable!

Piggywaspushed · 03/05/2018 18:29

This is true pompom. I have been getting in at 7.20 this week to get sodding reports done, which is about half an hour earlier than normal and I normally get in then just so I can have a cup of tea not mark and I feel more stressed, not less!!

Flyingpompom · 03/05/2018 18:44

I also think it makes a difference if you know you can cover one off events. For example, my parents and PIL work full time, so can't help daily or even weekly, but they're happy to cover parents evenings, trips etc... and if Ofsted call I can just ring them and they'll pick the kids up.

Piggywaspushed · 03/05/2018 18:54

Mine live 1000s of miles away...

Flyingpompom · 03/05/2018 19:16

That makes it trickier, piggy.
Obviously don't know the OPs situation but she did mention a friend, so maybe she could be her emergency back up.

millimat · 03/05/2018 22:02

If after school isn't an issue, make sure before you leave that everything you need is sorted for the next day. That way you can get in for the directed time and you're still sorted.

FowlisWester · 03/05/2018 22:09

My school is a 35min drive. My childcare didn't open until 8. So I generally leave my town at 8.10. So I get in at 845 and the first bell goes at 8.55.
We don't have morning briefings whatever they are. I'm usually organised and ready to rock so I make sure photocopying has been done etc.
Very supportive HoD who will step in if I end up late... has only happened in bad weather.
I leave at 4.15 every evening unless there's a prearranged meeting. I get my job done fine... might work lunch or do some bits in the evening.
I think you have to be realistic.
Plenty of staff in my school are in early but equally there's some later than me. Not many stay that late either.

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