How do you arrange picking up of kids from school when you work full time?

ibelongtoguy

Hi, I don't post very often, but I have got myself in a bit of a tiz about next Sept whe my DD goes to school.

Me and My DH both work full time. DD currently spends the week split between nursery (2 days), my Mum (1 day) DH (1 day) and a mixture of the 3 of us on the other day. My husband works in retail, finishing work at 6.15pm and gets 1 regular day off in the week as he works alternate weekends. I work 8.40-4.40 mon-fri an hour and a half-ish away.

I never wanted to work full time before DD went to school, but financially I had to go back. I am hoping to pay off more debts by the time she goes to school so that we can afford for me to drop my hours so that I can be there to pick her up from school, do homework with her etc.

But my work aren't necessarily going to go for it, and there isn't much work locally for me to change jobs - let alone to a job that finishes at 3pm!

I am sadly, but realistically, researching after school clubs etc...but I really don't want to go down this route. It will mean a terribly long day for DD and mean I only get to see her to give her tea and bath and bed DH will be able to pick her up earlier on his 1 day a week off. But what about meeeeee (said in a whingy voice). Not to mention the cost!

I already only see her when I get in at 6pm and she goes to bed at 7pm

Is this just something I have to accept in the modern world.

How do you cope? I'm sure there are plenty out there who have the same predicament...

balletshoes

Unfortunately I found myself in a similar position when my DD moved from full time nursery to school. There wasn't (and still isn't) any after school club provision around us. So, when she started school, I reduced my hours so I was there to pick her up when school finished every day. Luckily my employer has very good work/balance policies, so this was no problem for them to allow this.

Could your Mum do either taking her to school, or picking her up, allowing you to do the opposite one?

M_A_R_I_E

Have you considered a child minder for after school? At least your DD won't be stuck in the school environment for 9 hours a day. With a child minder she could relax in a home environment after a busy day at school.

Miss_Orangey_Goodness

im afraid it is something that you have to accept - I dont know many people who dont use after school clubs (apart from ones who are lucky enough to have family to help out, or those that dont work).
My DS goes to full time school next year, he is currently in full time day nursery so there won't be much difference in it being long days. Its more tough on us as parents then on the child. Im looking into finishing work at 2pm one day each week to enable me to collect him at lest one day. Hopefully when you pay off some debts you will be able to consider this? Fingers crossed your employers will agree to some sort of flexibility.
I will have to look into a local childminder as the school does breakfast/after school club but no summer holidays. oh and like PP said its more homely environment instead of being stuck in school all day long, if you contact your local surestart centre they can provide you with a list of local childminders.

sooty&sweep

Hi

The thing is its not just the picking up in the evening its having to take them to school for 8.50amish and then get into work and then finish in time so you can pick up at 3.10pm.
I'm not sure what your job is but could you go in earlier so you could finish earlier ? With your husband doing the school run in the morning ?
You mentioned that parents are helping with childcare at the moment would they be willing to pick up from school a couple of days ?

My two used to go into breakfast and afterschool club but I've reduced my hours so that I can drop them off in the morning and pick up three nights.

I'm afraid its not easy.

Jen

M_A_R_I_E

Have you also considered what you are going to do in the school holidays?

pinkshoes

Most people I know use a child minder for both the morning and afternoon school run, so about 1 hour in the morning, then 2.5 hours in the afternoon/evening.

It's either that, or using a childminder in the morning, then finishing work in time to pick them up.

space_rider

I used before school clubs and after school clubs. Girls never moaned until they got to 10 when they outgrew it. They also went in the school holidays. I only worked 3 days a week so at least it wasn`t every day.

M_A_R_I_E

Have you discussed with the school about the induction process - it may be something you have not considered but some schools can take up to half a term (6 weeks) before full time school begins for Reception children.

They may do half days for a few weeks to settle the in - how would you accomodate this with your working hours?

Kandboys

Agree with both of MARIE's posts. Our school don't have them in full time until the end of September so that's 3 or 4 weeks of doing just mornings. And there are 13 weeks of school holidays to cover too. Not easy so I wish you luck

ibelongtoguy

Many thanks for so many replies.

DH will do the morning school run as he works close to home.
Holidays we hope to split between us and grandparents as we have quite a bit of annual leave plus we could possibly afford one or 2 weeks of holiday club (salary sarifice still covers this I think). My mum and dad live a few miles away, but don't drive so will not be able to help with day-to-day picking up.

It's really quite depressing. I understand it may be harder for us than for the kids, but I feel really quite sad about the whole thing. I miss DD so much during the week at the moment. I will have to hope that I can find some flexibility in my job; but wanted to make sure I had explored all of the options.

Makes me realise how spoilt I was as my Mum didn't return to work til I was 8 or 9 years old.