Starting school/school hours

Dustykitten

Sticher I feel for you and the OP too. My eldest is going into Year 8 and whilst sensible is no way ready for coming home to an empty house and looking after himself and siblings on a regular basis. My youngest is starting Reception tomorrow:eek:

Childcare as far as I can see remains a problem for many years. I have been lucky enough to be a stay at home Mum - one baby after another meant there was always one at home or doing short preschool hours. Now with the little one starting full time I am thinking of how I can return to work and not need childcare as I appreciate that the cost and logistics are a nightmare.

Sticher I would say don't leave them at home alone - 8 is young and you would worry like anything.

OP I agree with just about everything that has been posted, I can offer no more insight but from reading this thread the way things are set up right now is not going to work for you, your child the school or the childminder. Good luck.

inkie

I had a similar situation whereby my daughters childminder picked up from a neighbouring school, meaning that she would be late picking up at DDs school. I went in and had a word with the head, and we had an informal arrangement where DD would walk up to the top of the school and sit near the office, and wait for max 10 min for the childminder to arrive at the staff entrance. This worked well, and was only on a cople of occasions per week. However, for the past 4 yrs I have been fortunate to enough to wokr in a job that is completely flexible - whereby I even take my DDs with me to work in holidays - wouldn't change things for a gold pig!

silvercar

Stitcher, I used to happily let my 12 year old look after my 8 year old; if I remember he used to baby sit him at that age if we were local and not out late. I wouldn't be happy for him to let himself into the house that had been empty all day, if I was going to be late home from work they would have to go to a neighbour until I got in. Luckily we had really helpful neighbours!