Planning for the School Year

Get organised with our guide to planning for the school year. We’ve given you tips and tricks to make it easy.

playdate society

When planning for the school year, remember that children will start arranging play dates from day one.

How many children you have for a playdate often depends on your child, but up until children are three years old, they’ll play next to others, not with them – so it’s more a playdate for mom.

From three years on, one-on-one playdates are better. Once children are older you can try having more friends over.

Toddlers can probably get along for an hour, pre-schoolers for around three hours, and longer for older children.

Deciding when it’s acceptable to leave your child at a playdate will be based on how well you know the other family, your child’s age and how sociable they are.

Basic etiquette for playdates
  • be on time
  • get contact numbers
  • check for food allergies
  • have several planned activities as back-up
  • ensure children tidy up
  • take turns hosting

deciding on extramurals

Extramural activities can develop children, build on areas in which they’re skilled, teach new skills or improve on others. They also teach children about teamwork.

Encourage children to take part in at least one extramural, either organised by school or at a private institution.

Extramurals should appeal to a child’s interests and capabilities, but speak to children first to ensure they’ll be committed for the whole term.

You may also want to take the costs of equipment, uniform and other expenses into account before signing up.

How many extramurals children do depends on them. Encourage fewer, shorter activities for younger children. Older children can join up for more, but still need time for homework and free play.

Read more about choosing extramurals.

planning for the school year with a little extra help …

Au pairs can help with school or extramural transport and keep children busy after school and over school holidays. A tutor can help with homework or a particular subject.

Before hiring, check references or go through a reputable agency. Figure out your own requirements, such as transport or basic first aid training. Ask the au pair or tutor how they intend to stimulate, engage and discipline, and for au pairs, discuss issues such as holidays or sick leave.

For tutors, check qualifications and experience in their subject and establish whether they’ll be tutoring at your home or a centre.

An agency may have a set payment rate, otherwise the amount you pay will depend on factors such as the number of hours worked, transport costs, experience or how much work is required.

transportation planning for the school year

Car-pooling, if structured correctly, is a solution to stressful morning madness. The obvious choice for choosing fellow carpool buddies, would be to include families that live in your area.

The best carpools have parents with mutual needs, similar schedules and the same basic set of core values.

Safety first

Age-appropriate seatbelts or restraints must be worn at all times and there are no exceptions; and no sharing of safety belts. The golden rule is to not transport more children than you have safety belts available.

Stick to road rules at all times, including adhering to the school’s drop-off policy. Rules of the road include no texting or taking phone calls when driving.

Stranger danger

Impress upon your child not to get into cars with strangers, only with those who are part of the lift club. Remind them that if there is change to the lift club protocol that you will only send someone close to the family to collect you and set up a password for that person to use so they know it’s someone who can be trusted.

Children must be instructed to wait inside the school grounds till their lift/carpool driver arrives.

Strict scheduling

Draw up a schedule and stick to it. Don’t miss pick-up times, and have a back-up plan when the designated driver becomes unavailable. Inevitably hick-ups will occur, but keep the lines of communication open, such as sharing a Whats app profile. Children and parents should also all have a list of contact numbers of all drivers and fellow passengers.

Carpool etiquette

Children must be polite and well-behaved at all times, know the car rules (for example no eating), and parents must not use the carpool trip as a means to gossip about other parents or teachers, or to gain information from a child about their parent.

Being the designated driver does not mean you’re a parent to all children in the car. You are the adult, and if a carpool child’s behaviour is a concern, discuss it with the parent.

Insurance

Make sure your insurance is adequate in case of a big accident. As carpooling is not a means of gaining an income, your insurance should cover the basics, but it’s best to make double sure.

 

 

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