School runs for your own kids?

[jazmic]

Hey guys,

Does anyone have kids in school who need to be dropped off and picked up? My two little ones are going to be going to nursery school and JK respectively in the fall and I'll need to drive there to pick up and drop off. Two different locations at different times. I'm not sure how to run the business given this situation. I'm considering closing. Thoughts?

[Skysue]

For me I have a neighbor/friend take my daughter to and from school. In return I offer her care for her son one day a week.

Have you thought of looking into putting your pre-schooler in a seeds program at your other ones school? This way you will have 2 at the same location and it may make things run smoother.

[mom-in-alberta]

Yep.... I have a kindergarten daughter, that is out of school around 11am. So it means loading everyone into the van, getting there super early to get a spot right out front, so that I don't have to unload everyone and take them all up to the door with me, then back home and get everyone unloaded. Good times.
It is not a bad idea to find out if a neighbor, or another mom in the class can do your pick up/ drop off. I would offer the equivalent of a tank of gas or so per month, in compensation. Although I know that I never accepted money when I would do this with the kids in my son's preschool class. I did appreciate receiving the occasional Tim's card, etc though!!

[jazmic]

Her school doesn't have that option available, unfortunately.

[Bookworm]

I am in the same boat come September as well, except that my son will be going two days a week and its on the way to my daughter's school. Not looking forward to walking the kids twice a day. My mother will probably end up dropping and picking my daughter up from school most days in the winter though.

[jazmic]

So it's actually quite common. Interesting. I feel badly because the drop offs will be at 2 different times, at two different locations and the picks ups will also be at 2 different times. How am I supposed to run a good program given that??

[Skysue]

What would be your easiest pick up? Maybe do that one with the daycare kiddies and try and make alternate arrangements with the 2nd child. Will both of your children be going on the same days?

Have you thought about maybe doing before and after school? If your going to the school everyday anyway?

[playfelt]

Rather than closing, consider advertising to fill spaces with children in the same programs as your own. That way they would be on the same schedule anyways.

You could look at your current group and either replace or decide not to take any child not able to walk or that needs a morning nap so that would eliminate two of the biggest obstacles.

This is also one of those when to tell parents things in the sense that while it is tempting to say nothing till the time actually comes you run the risk of some parents not liking their kids spending so much of the day in stroller/van and they will actually pull their kids meaning you would be left to fill spaces after the September rush for kids has happened. Telling means they may pull out early/mid summer leaving you with spaces to fill so something to consider.

Yes it is very common to do school runs but is also very common for parents to choose a caregiver that does not have to do school runs too so worth considering how the runs will effect your group.

[jazmic]

All good points, ladies. And certainly, the "when to tell" thing is also weighing on my mind. I want to do what's right and what's best for everyone. And the new thought that is I am now entertaining is if it's time to do something else career-wise as well. Lots to think about.