Hi,
I don't have any personal experience with that agegroup. But that amount of homework for an 8 year old sounds like way too much, there isn't two hours of learning in a day in most 8 year old's classrooms, let alone another two at night. Its a hard spot to be in though as leaving work unfinished surely makes your DD feel even more anxious at school the next day. But doing it all is worse.
If she will stay at this school then perhaps a parent-teacher consultation is needed to identify which homework subjects are a priority, perhaps you can approach a meeting with a stance of "I have some questions in order to help DD manage her time with her homework", such as is it better to partially complete all subjects or do certain ones more completely? Can they help to identify areas where your DD needs the practice versus ones she doesn't? Is she having all this at home due to not completing some items in class time, if so why isn't she and can they help her to find moments during the day to make a start on her homework? Once you are in a conversation you may be able to comment on the excessive nature of the time it is taking without it being confrontational. If the teacher is involved in making a plan about her homework they may feel more lenient/understanding about it in general.
If it comes to the point the teacher sees you as a interfering parent who refuses to let the child do over 45 or 60 min of homework then at least they are blaming you and not your DD. Without a clear message from you the teacher may fault DD for her unfinished homework which wouldn't help their relationship.
It is nice you have options for schools if this one continues to be problematic.
Polly
