To send DD to school or not?

[UndertheCedartree]

My Y3 DD has a place at school under the 'vulnerable child' rule. We were told the safest place for her is at home but it is there if we need it. Consequently she has stayed at home. Since then I have had Covid and I think her brother may have had it mildly too. She had no symptoms.

Now schools are opening to more DC and the risks seem less I am thinking it might be nice for her to go to school once a week to break the week up and help her routine. Her dad doesn't think we should risk it. I'm in 2 minds - she won't be with her teacher or many if any of her class but they run like holiday club and apparently the children have been having fun. She will be kept in one bubble of kids and teacher each time she goes. What would you do?

[Uhoh2020]

Assuming that you and her brother had the virus several weeks ago and she couldn't possibly be carrying it asymptomatically then yes send her back if you feel she will benefit. Check what your schools rules are though as my dc school have said they won't allow part time attendance If they don't go in on the Monday they cant rejoin the class later in the week. This wasn't the case previously just what they have decided on now.

[taptonaria27]

If she's going because she's vulnerable it should be every day that school is available not one day a week for a day out

[happytoday73]

I thought vulnerable children were best at school and that's why given a space?
Who advised you better at home?
Did they say why.. Ie is there a health reason to stay away?

I'd be inclined to speak to school again... A teacher that knows your child well- to talk through the advantages and disadvantages for your child's unique circumstances

This is government guidance in case of help
www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people

[AvoidingRealHumans]

I would send her back if it would benefit her.
Speak to the school regarding part time attendance though, ours say that if you choose to send them back it must be every day unless they are ill.

[InDubiousBattle]

Who told you the safest place for her was at home op?

[UndertheCedartree]

@Uhoh2020 - school have confirmed she has a place that we can use as much or as little as needed.
@taptonaria27 - why should it be every day if school say she can go if and when and if one day a week is best in the circumstances? How does she benefit from 5 'days out' more than one? I would like her to be doing some school work on the other 4 days, ideally.
@happytoday73 - in the same way all families were advised their children were best at home in March that applied to my DD. Children can be 'vulnerable' for many reasons - they are not one homogenous group. School confirmed she was best at home but they could provide respite if necessary. Thanks for the guidance - I guess it comes down to individual circumstances as to if attendance is 'encouraged'. However it mentions education a lot - but that won't be happening at school - it will be holiday club. She is getting her education at home.
@AvoidingRealHumans - is that for the year groups going back or key worker/vulnerable children too?

[UndertheCedartree]

@InDubiousBattle - her school.

[Firef1y72]

I had a place for my vulnerable, SEN 10yo from the start, but we decided not to take it up until this week. Hes in full time and the change in him is amazing. So I would definitely say take up the place

[AvoidingRealHumans]

In our school it is the policy for anyone in school to be there every day.
Ours only took year 6 back plus keyworker and vulnerable children.

[Underhisi]

taptonaria27 vulnerable children don't have to attend every day. Children can be in the vulnerable category for many reasons.

[Uhoh2020]

@InDubiousBattle @happytoday73 our school also discouraged sending in key worker and vulnerable children into school when lock down came into effect. It was very much there is a place if you need it but the safest and best place to be was at home and only use the places if absolutely necessary.

[UndertheCedartree]

I know she'd love to go back and be in her classroom with her classmates and show her teacher all the work she's been doing at home. But that's not what is on offer. It's holiday club within a small bubble of DC she may not even know. She is happy at home with her brother and progressing in her education. It's just trying to balance the benefit of her attending (change of scene, good routine, other kids to play with in large grounds, fun) with the risk (catching the virus and making her dad very unwell - he has no particular vulnerability but neither did I and I still was admitted to hospital).

[UndertheCedartree]

@Uhoh2020 - that's exactly what we were told.

[Spinakker]

Try a day and see. My y2 didn't want to go back but has had an amazing day today in his new key worker bubble with kids he doesn't really know. He was inspired by seeing what other kids were doing. It's all an experience for them at the end of the day. They are going to have another 6 weeks off school after this in the summer hols so I tjink its worth having some variety and will make school return in September easier. Best of luck x

[UndertheCedartree]

@spinakker - I definitely agree with your points and would definitely send my DD on the basis that if she disliked it she wouldn't have to go in. Just need to convince her dad the risks are low.