To send my 3 year back to his childminder’s house?

[QueenofmyPrinces]

I have two sons aged 6 and 3.

When schools and childcare re-opened we sent our 6 year old back (Year 1) but decided to keep our youngest son at home as opposed to sending him back to his childminders. We made this decision because DH is furloughed and so we didn’t need to send DS back and we didn’t want to take any risks.

However, now our eldest is back at school, our youngest is really missing having the interaction of another child to play with and he keeps asking to go back to his childminder’s house because he wants to see her and play with his friends there.

I feel really torn. At least in schools it is possible to keep the children socially distanced in a large school classroom but I imagine that can’t be done with a group of infants and young children playing inside a living room.

Yet at the same time I think it may be nice for DS to resume more normality in the same way our eldest has, and be able to be back with his friends too.

AIBU to send him when he doesn’t actually need to be there for childcare purposes?

[PotteringAlong]

No, you are not being unreasonable in the slightest. If she’s open and willing to take him then send him back.

[Littlepoppet1]

YNBU id send him back. My DD is going back to nursery today when she technically doesn’t need to for another month or so for childcare purposes. She needs the interaction with other children now, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of that.

[user1493413286]

My three year old DD has gone back to nursery even though I’m on maternity leave as I feel she needs the stimulation and socialisation and I’ve considered the risks and feel ok (mostly) about this decision. I think now things are easing everyone needs to make decisions based on the risk within their family (vulnerabilities etc) and do what they think is right

[Mangomumma]

My 3 year old is back at nursery & they're not distancing them but keeping them in bubbles. I'm sure you're childminder has things in place. If he wants to go it'll probably do him the world of good