How the childcare crisis is reshaping pick-up time

If you’re a parent of a school-aged child, your notes app is probably a chaotic list of names, times, and locations. "Monday: Grandma collects." "Tuesday: Playdate at Leo's, mum Sarah will bring home." "Wednesday: Remember Lisa from number 24 is on standby."

This intricate dance of logistics isn't just a sign of a busy family life; it's a direct response to a deepening crisis: the soaring cost of childcare in the UK. As nursery fees and after-school clubs become a luxury many can't afford, parents are turning to a different model—one built not on monthly direct debits, but on favours, family, and a patchwork of support.

The Village Rallies: The Rise of the "Wrap-Around" Family

The concept of "wraparound care" - the essential cover for the hours before and after school - is being redefined. Instead of paid provision, it's now provided by a rotating cast of friends, neighbours, and, most significantly, older relatives.

Our data shows a telling trend in this area. This term, nearly 20% of their new users have been over the age of 55. This isn't just a statistic; it's a picture of thousands of grandparents and retired relatives stepping into the breach. They are the new after-school club, providing not just childcare, but love, stability, and a ear to download the day.

This reliance on the "creche of mum and dad" is a heartwarming testament to family resilience. For many children, this extra time with their grandparents is a gift. But this shift is also creating a complex set of new challenges for schools and parents alike, stretching the traditional systems to their limits.

The administrative Juggernaut: A Burden on Schools

In a normal primary school office, by 2:30pm the phone is ringing off the hook with a cascade of changes to that day's collection arrangements.

"Hi, it's Mum of Sophie in 2KR, my dad will be collecting her today, he's tall with grey hair." "Hello, it's Dad of Sam in 3ES, our neighbour is picking him up, I've emailed the password."

Each one of these calls requires a school administrator to stop what they are doing and get a message to the class teach who will be handing over that child. This creates an administrative burden, pulling staff away from educational support and genuine emergencies. A single missed call or a misheard name can trigger a full-blown safeguarding alert, causing immense stress for staff, parents, and the child.

The reason schools have strict collection policies and password systems is to ensure children are only released to authorised adults. When the list of authorised adults grows long and changes daily, the system becomes more fragile.

Building a better framework

So, what’s the solution? We can't—and shouldn't—discourage the incredible support that families and communities provide each other. This village is what’s keeping many parents in work and many children cared for.

The answer lies in smarter communication and better tools. Schools need clear, consistent systems for reporting changes, and parents need to respect them. Platforms like Fetching, support both schools and parents in coordinating collection time and those involved in it.

The childcare crisis has forced us to rediscover our communities. The challenge now is to ensure that our makeshift solutions are as safe and streamlined as they are loving. Our village is powerful, but even a village needs a good, secure set of rules to run smoothly.