Children need their families

Is extended wraparound care in schools the answer to parents' childcare problems?

Babies are nurtured by their mother or member of their family. They are spontaneous, free-spirited and unpredictable. In normal healthy circumstances, babies are responding to a personal family environment.

The proposed pre-and post-school care arises from a range of social needs including displaced family units, single parent families and working parents.

If families are encouraged to keep primary-aged children within the school environment for up to 10 hours in a day, there will be little natural respite or 'down time'.

Any negative results may not become immediately apparent. However, I am concerned about the following issues if wraparound care becomes commonplace: a breakdown in communication within families; less family time overall; less time with friends outside of school; less time to be spontaneous and creative in a non-structured environment; difficulties in addressing and dealing with individuals facing personal issues, either with staff or peers at school; less enjoyment of school in general; confusion as to what constitutes school and non-school work; and no release from wearing school uniform, if one is worn.