Childcare at 7.45am

JodyBPM

I wouldn't. Mine are 8 & 9, and I am in the same situation. A friend of mine looks after them for me for an hour, and then drops them at school for me on the way to dropping her own children to school (by which point the school is open). When she can't do it, then either myself or my husband go in later to work. It's a pain as we both have long commutes, and if we do the school run we don't get into work until 10ish. But I'd rather lose my job than lose my children.

duchy

By your reasoning no-one in a moderate risk area would ever take out insurance -moderate flood risk...no problem, moderate risk of early death-don't bother with life insurance ....and that's just to protect financially-

Frankly I feel the OP had made their mind up already and was posting to shock ....however no doubt she'll be back all indignant when the breakfast club staff raise the issue either informally or with social services....but hey ! Hopefully the kids are in a school in a different LEA area or it could get very embarrassing professionally. The OP may not have a problem with it but it doesn't follow her own profession will all feel the same <shrug>

lostinrates

Ten minute drive to school, or the cost of a childminder.....

I wonder if there is a taxi service suitable to take kids that might cost about the same as the childminder that can pick them up as you leave and possibly walk them in?

(Sorry, non parent , no idea what childminders charge)

newbutold

I think they are to young. Not because you don't trust them but incase an accident happens.

No matter how sensible they are at 9 & 7 they are still quite vulnerable. I appreciate you allow them to the shop & park etc but if something was to happen, they know you are at home and contactable. Who are they suppose to go to if they need help if both you & hubby are off commuting to work and they don't know anyone in the area.

Also I imagine the route to school at 7.45 is quiet and not busy with others on the school run.

Are you planning to give them a mobile, so you know that they have safely reached school? I personally wouldn't be happy going off to work not knowing whether my 9 & 7 year old arrived safety at school. It could be well after the 10am when the school calls to see why they are not there. It is completely different than walking to school at the normal time on a busy school route with others doing the same journey.

If it was me, I would need to find someone to take them/watch them for them 15 minutes or my hubby would be turning the new job down if there was no one to safely leave my children with.

CH27

bylromarha wrote: »

I am - and my school is a 40 minute drive from my kids school. Doors open at 8.40 for my class. Trying to set up a classroom for the day in 0 minutes is never going to happen. TAs are employed from 9am, so they can't do anything or be asked to be setting up. I can't arrive in my classroom when the kids do.

Already struggling with the thought I'm giving myself only 15 minutes pre class arrival to get ready for the day if I drop kids off at 7.45am. And still can't believe that the childminders I could use all start at 8am. I know at least 2 CMs which serve our school which go from 7am, so presumed that there would be around the kids school too.

Will investigate at the kids school office - we can't be the only family from the school where both parents need to be leaving for work at 7.45am. Its got 3 classes per year group - that's a lot of families!

Could you not set your classroom up the night before so you're ready to walk in & start?

GobbledyGook

duchy wrote: »

By your reasoning no-one in a moderate risk area would ever take out insurance -moderate flood risk...no problem, moderate risk of early death-don't bother with life insurance ....and that's just to protect financially-

Frankly I feel the OP had made their mind up already and was posting to shock ....however no doubt she'll be back all indignant when the breakfast club staff raise the issue either informally or with social services....but hey !

No. In my mind someone who lives in the middle of the Sahara desert could give flood insurance a miss.

The risk of a child being abducted by a stranger on their way to school isn't 'moderate'. It is minuscule.


Oh and just for record - and not aimed at the person who I'm quoting now. I don't respond to PM's sent to have a go. If you have something to say about something I've posted then post it here.
My opinion is DIFFERENT to yours. Doesn't make it wrong and certainly doesn't mean I'm an appalling parent. In fact if you open your eyes you'll see I said in the OP's case - where the area they will be walking in isn't their local area - I wouldn't.

JodyBPM

bylromarha wrote: »

... my school is a 40 minute drive from my kids school. Doors open at 8.40 for my class. Trying to set up a classroom for the day in 0 minutes is never going to happen...

Stay later at school the night before and do all your prep and "setting up" of the classroom.

Then drop children off at 8.00 and arrive at 8.40, with your pupils, safe in the knowledge you have everything already prepared.

Problem solved.

lostinrates

JodyBPM wrote: »

Stay later at school the night before and do all your prep and "setting up" of the classroom.

Then drop children off at 8.00 and arrive at 8.40, with your pupils, safe in the knowledge you have everything already prepared.

Problem solved.

When I was at school as a pupil classrooms were cleaned over night and things had to be left clear.....could that not be an issue?

sassyblue

bylromarha wrote: »

They've been out for the past 2 years without us - the job has nothing to do with it. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Shouldn't you have called them in for tea by now?

(Not sure the ROFL smilie was the best one you could have used there)

valk_scot

My kids both started walking to school on their own once they turned 7. It's a ten minute walk in a quiet residential area. Only difference is that it's a busy walk to school route and of course there are lots of folk around just before school goes in. I know this is younger than many mothers would feel comfortable with but it's pretty standard round here. And my kids were both the sensible type that could be trusted to obey instructions.


OP, if I were you I'd get each of them a cheap mobile phone for possible emergency contat and drop them in the playground at 7.45am, with strict instructions not to leave it. There will be other parents arriving between then and 8am for the breakfast club and the staff will be inside the building. You say your OH will be around some days so it's not even as if you'll have to do it every day. No, not ideal, but it's as safe as you can make it and tbh, the statistical risk of molestation would be higher if you left them with a family member.
It would be good though if you can try and get to know a few of the school gate mums too, if possible. Two working parents do need to have a few local contacts that can help out in an emergency.