To start a thread for a bit of support from other parents whose children are returning to school

[unicorngymnastics]

AIBU to ask that if you have a child who is returning to school after half-term you leave a comment below?

Not interested in anyone's reasons - it's very personal to each family. Equally not interested in hearing from you if you aren't sending your child back.

Have a child in Reception. We've made the decision to return them after half-term. Understand that a lot of people don't want to and it's a very personal choice but am beginning to get weary of the talk on parent Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Feels very judgemental towards people who are returning and (although I know this will set some people off) a little bit OTT.

[RicStar]

Our school isn't open until 8th earliest, they seem to have a sensible balanced plan (half days), we are in a area with currently very few cases, very much fewer than in our area in March, so I will be sending back ds if school is happy to have him, and wish dd could go too.

[camsie]

Just be aware that school may not be opening and maybe prepare your child for that possibility.
The unions are not going to allow it.

[RAINSh0wers]

My year 1 DD is going back, they’re only doing two days a week but we’re happy with how the school have handled it and comfortable with their plans. There are two thirds of her year returning.

[RAINSh0wers]

We have prepared her that it may not happen/may only be for a few weeks and that things there will be very different. Luckily she has her usual teacher which I think is a big bonus for her.

[Burplecutter]

My DD is going back.

[GrimmsFairytales]

I agree with others who say it's important to prepare for the fact they may not open, and also that she may not have all of her friends at school or in her bubble.

[unicorngymnastics]

Yes, we're talking about the possibilities and what it will be like when she returns so that she is prepared for things being different to before the closure.

[myself2020]

My 3 year old is going back to pre-school on the 1st (apologies if you only wanted primary school parents).

[MsTSwift]

My year sixer is desperate to go back to see her friends. Even though we could manage perfectly well with her at home haven’t got the heart to keep her away. Tricky though

[IndecentFeminist]

Mine will be if we open. I feel positive about it, as do they. They are not the prescribed years but I am a key worker at the school

[PotteringAlong]

My reception child and nursery child will go back on June 8th, which is when schools around here re reopening.

DH and I are both secondary teachers and we are also back to face to face with year 10 from June 8th

[IndecentFeminist]

Honestly, do those purely commenting to 'warn' think they are telling others anything new?

[user1000000000000000001]

Mine has been in throughout.

Her school isn't opening to any of the year groups but have massively increased numbers under vulnerable/key worker throughout the school. They have 16 bubbles of 10.

[MeerkatMolly]

My daughter will be returning to reception if everything goes ahead. It’s one form entry and the school aren’t having any other years back. Four days a week, normal ish hours. We haven’t mentioned too much about her going back just in case things change. Feeling very mixed about it.

[user1000000000000000001]

They have sent letters with arrangements and details of which bubble your child is in. Rooms have obviously had stuff removed but are not bare and still very warm.

I'm really reassured now

[BendingSpoons]

If schools open, my (school) nursery DD will be going 4 days a week close to normal hours. I'll be sad now if they don't open.

[JMKid]

My reception DS will be going back 1st June. He has been in school 1 day a week as I'm a secondary school teacher.

[897654321abcvrufhfgg]

Yep my year 6 is. His mental health depends on it. Crossing fingers they open

[ipswichwitch]

DS2 is yr1 but both kids will be in school 1st June as we are keyworkers. Trying to prepare DS2 is a nightmare - he has asd and struggles with the unknown. I just wish a decision would be made properly one way or another.

[MynephewR]

DD's school have said they won't be opening on 1st for reception, y1 and y6 regardless of whether the government give the go ahead. I'm gutted, that was my light at the end of the tunnel, I was so looking forward to her being able to see her friends and getting back to some level of normality. Not really sure what to think now, feeling very down. I just have to hope that they will open later in the month.

[user1000000000000000001]

@MynephewR it's tough but it isn't normal by any stretch of the imagination. Schools are very doubtful they will reopen further before summer but it's better to be safe than not.

[Kitsandkids]

Our school has come out and said that for the minute they’re only going to open for Year 6. Which is ok for us as our child is in Year 6. I’m really glad he can get back for the last few weeks. I think it would be awful for him to have left in March only to never return again and just go straight up to secondary. He’s looking forward to going but I don’t think he really understands how different it’s going to be.

I will be quite disappointed if the reopening doesn’t happen.

I also have a child in Year 7 so he’ll have to stay at home. To me it seems mad that a 6 year old’s education is deemed more important than his when they’ll have several more years at school and he’ll only have 2-3 before GCSE exams start. But I assume it’s because logistically it’s much harder to keep secondary kids in bubbles as they usually have several teachers.

[VashtaNerada]

I’m a teacher so once I’m back FT my DC will be as well. I’m glad they’re getting to socialise and I trust both their schools but I feel a bit sad that it’s the end of an era. Eldest DC at secondary school has particularly benefitted from having me around to help with work, and it’s just been so lovely to spend more time together with both of them. It’s the right thing to do but I’ll miss this lifestyle.

[LittleBearPad]

My Reception ages DS will go back - assuming they’re open. If he really hates it we’ll take him out again but it would be better for him to be in school as he’s bored. Based on my knowledge of the school and the teachers I’m confident they will do their best for the children in school.

[unicorngymnastics]

Really appreciate the comments from those returning. Breath of fresh air from what I had been hearing.