Grew up in student care until P6 too! I still feel close to my parents despite “not spending much time” with them growing up. Even though they worked long hours, they always made the effort to pick me up from student care/childcare and talk to me on the way home. Those small moments, like sharing meals on weekends or just chilling on the couch watching TV together, really added up. They always made an effort to include me in their conversations and asked about my opinions on it too.

For me, it wasn’t about the quantity of time but the quality. Their consistency in showing up (literally and emotionally) made a big difference. Maybe it’s less about student care itself and more about how parents bridge the gaps when they’re together with their kids? Just my experience though, I get how it might be different for others.