21July 2018
More than 130 parents queue at school gates from 3am to make sure kids get into breakfast club
More than 130 parents queued at the school gates from 3am to fight for a breakfast club spot for their children. The club at Ysgol Y Berllan Deg primary school in Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, has limited spaces for next year.
Mums told Wales Online how important it was to them that their child was included with one saying “I can’t risk not getting a place, I don’t have a plan B.”
The breakfast club is a government scheme aimed at providing young children with the opportunity of receiving a free, healthy breakfast at school each day.
For many parents with a long commute it is vital as it allows them to drop their kids off early and get to work on time.
The school opened its yearly applications for the next school year today and some parents were so worried about missing out they queued through the night outside the school gates.
Have you had a similar experience? Email [email protected] More than 130 parents queued for a spot for their kids (Image: Rob Browne) One mum told Wales Online how important the club was to her (Image: Wales Online) Read More British families to travel 344 miles on 11 UK day trips during summer holidays At the front of the queue was Annett Farrow from Carmarthen, whose grandchild goes to the school.
“We have been on the road since 1am and got here at 3am,” she said.
“My son and daughter-in-law are on holiday so we had to come. If it gets them a place it will have been worth it.
“We have bought biscuits and crisps – the only problem is the toilets. We have been using the toilets in the hotel opposite.”
Read More Child safety 7 life-saving ‘stranger danger’ tips Signs your child is being groomed Genius way to keep your kids safe online The law on leaving your child home alone Sex offenders in your area Secret sexting codes parents should know For some parents like Leanne Taylor, who has been in her chair since 3.30am, there is no backup plan.
She said: “I have two children, one of whom is starting in reception in September.
“I had to do this last year when it did rain a bit. I had only moved into my house two days before and I didn’t have internet. I planned to bring my laptop and do some work while I waited.
“The police turned up and asked what I was doing.”
The school opened its yearly applications for the next school year today (Image: Wales Online) Read More Thrifty bride and groom use food destined for BIN to feed 140 wedding guests – who have no idea According to Leanne there is no other option for her if she wants to maintain her career.
She said: “For some it is essential. I work opposite Tredegar House and I drive in. If I drop them off at 8.30 I won’t be getting into work until 10 because of the traffic.
“If I didn’t have this I would not be able to go to work- I can’t risk not getting a place, I don’t have a plan B.
“It is a really good school and I don’t think there is a fairer way to do it.
“To do it you literally have to walk in and hand a form in. They then write what number you were in the queue on the form.
“The ones that are here first are the ones that need it most. It gets longer and earlier because the people who did not get a place last year will get here earlier this year.”
Another parent, who did not want to be named, said that in previous years it had been slightly different.
Many queued outside the gates from the early hours (Image: Rob Browne) “It is a big talking point among parents,” she said.
“You get a text two weeks before and then a letter. It goes straight in the diary. I have been doing this for two years and this is the biggest queue I have seen.
“I don’t know how a single parent would be able to do it as they would have to bring their children with them.
“In previous years people have bought multiple forms for friends and that has been banned because it wasn’t fair on the people who queued up. The atmosphere is much nicer this year.”
Read More Girlfriend absolutely furious at boyfriend’s creative solution to keep cool in this summer’s heatwave Some parents are now veterans of the process, like Julie Ayre, who works in Somerset.
“My child will be in year six so this is the last year I have to do this, thank goodness,” she said.
“Last year I was 125th and I didn’t get a place but I went on the waiting list and got one.
“If I didn’t get it I would have to pay for a childminder.”