Pre-school children won't count towards meeting one other person

[Silversun83]

So two parents with pre-school children can meet up.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pre-school-children-will-not-count-in-two-person-limit-for-outside-meetings-3b63nq7fh

[Hayeahnobut]

What number u turn is this?

[RemyHadley]

Well that’s something, I can meet up with a friend with our preschoolers. Now just need some guidance that says my home educated 5 yr old can come too.

[Racoonworld]

Brilliant news and absolutely needed. Of course babies and toddlers in prams are no more risk on walks outside, completely different to kids that can walk/run around.

[Tyranttoddler]

I don't really think its reasonable that people use this as an opportunity to get preschoolers together for a play date.
Fair enough, toddlers in a pram or running about without another child there. Or two mums walking new babies in prams. But just for a play date? Surely not.

[Racoonworld]

@Tyranttoddler

I don't really think its reasonable that people use this as an opportunity to get preschoolers together for a play date.
Fair enough, toddlers in a pram or running about without another child there. Or two mums walking new babies in prams. But just for a play date? Surely not.

No it shouldn’t be for play dates. Hopefully people will be sensible and not do this.

[Sitt]

Your “play date” is someone else’s “going for a walk”. I really think you shouldn’t allow this to worry you

[RemyHadley]

Why are play dates for preschoolers wrong? They’d be allowed to play together if they went to nursery. My 3 year old needs to interact with other. children.

[Racoonworld]

@RemyHadley

Why are play dates for preschoolers wrong? They’d be allowed to play together if they went to nursery. My 3 year old needs to interact with other. children.

Because going for a walk means social distancing and no touching. I’m pretty sure no preschooler will be social distancing on a play date. That’s why it’s wrong.

[RemyHadley]

They don’t social distance in nursery either though. Why is it ok to send my 3 yr old to nursery to mix with 15 kids whose families I don’t know, but not to have a playdate with 1 kid whose family I know is cautious?

[Racoonworld]

@RemyHadley why is it ok for teachers to be in huge classrooms of kids but not socialise outside of work, why is it ok for school kids not to be able to meet friends, why is it ok to work in an office but not socialise? It’s about minimising interactions that’s why we’re are doing this lockdown, there’s no exceptions and people are not ‘special’

[Sunshinegirl82]

I think everyone forgets that all the childminders and nurseries were open from 1st June with no social distancing whatsoever and it didn't cause cases to sky rocket. In fact cases continued to drop for months afterwards.

I really don't think we need to be worrying that two toddlers might get closer than two metres on a walk in the woods or in a playground.

[KitKatastrophe]

I’m pretty sure no preschooler will be social distancing on a play date. That’s why it’s wrong.
My preschooler (3.5) is pretty good at social distancing. We go with our other friend who is the same age. They're both on scooters or individual bits of play equipment. It's not difficult.

[Emmacb82]

Because where does it end? Everybody has a reason for why they think they are exempt from the rules. The whole point is to LIMIT contact with other people. I presume you send to nursery for childcare reasons so you can work. And clearly your child is socialising whilst at nursery, so doesn’t really need to have play dates in the middle of a lockdown.

[Sockwomble]

Also applies when someone is the carer for a child or adult that is severely disabled.

[balloonbasket]

Some social interaction with peers is just as important for small children as it is for adults. I don't think their inability to social distance should force them into isolation.
I think this exemption is very welcome and massively reduces the isolation of being a mum of young children in lockdown.

[Tyranttoddler]

@Sitt

Your “play date” is someone else’s “going for a walk”. I really think you shouldn’t allow this to worry you

It doesn't worry me, I just don't think it's in the spirit of the rules. My daughter will be in nursery while I go to work as a teacher, I believe all that social contact is necessary but I will be keeping away from others otherwise. I don't really care what anyone else does and will probably give it no thought after this thread! I agree two toddlers is not an issue in the slightest, but the poster above talking about taking a number of children out seems a bit unreasonable to me.

[myhobbyisouting]

"Now just need some guidance that says my home educated 5 yr old can come too."

And straight away there's someone trying to get even more out of it

[SirSamuelVimes]

Thank fuck. My two year old DD isnt in nursery because I'm a SAHM. Was meant to be job hunting this autumn but Covid has fucked that plan. DH earns too much to get any free hours but we don't have enough spare (debt) to pay for any nursery hours. She needs to socialise with people other than me and she needs to learn to interact with similar aged children.

[RemyHadley]

My child doesn’t go to nursery, and he does need social interaction.

The rules say I can meet another adult for outside exercise, and our preschooler kids don’t count. The government has NOT said that only babies in prams don’t count, they’ve said preschoolers don’t count. So I’m absolutely allowed to take them to a playground or park, that’s within the rules. We’ve been extremely cautious throughout and are following all the rules.

[Invisimamma]

Primary aged children in scotland dont count towards the numbers in restrictions and they don't have to social distance either.

Our numbers / infection rates aren't rising any higher or quicker as a result of allowing children to mix.

[Pineapple5678]

@RemyHadley

Why are play dates for preschoolers wrong? They’d be allowed to play together if they went to nursery. My 3 year old needs to interact with other. children.

It's socially distanced exercise not interaction. Your 3 year old will be fine not interaction for 4 weeks. The whole idea is to limit interactions and contacts.

[Pineapple5678]

@RemyHadley

My child doesn’t go to nursery, and he does need social interaction.

The rules say I can meet another adult for outside exercise, and our preschooler kids don’t count. The government has NOT said that only babies in prams don’t count, they’ve said preschoolers don’t count. So I’m absolutely allowed to take them to a playground or park, that’s within the rules. We’ve been extremely cautious throughout and are following all the rules.

Also says you have to socially distance at all times good luck with that with a 3 year old, but you've made up your mind that your right and read the rules to suit you.

[Hugosmugo]

This is great news. Thanks for sharing.

I think it is important for children to also see other children, some don't go to nursery.

[legalseagull]

This is brilliant news and the only way to make the rules 'fair' for parents of young babies and toddlers. Everyone is allowed to meet one other person outside. What do those who object think mothers with babies are to do? Stay indoors and not meet anyone despite everyone else being allowed to meet one friend?

[myhobbyisouting]

@RemyHadley

Your kids will be just fine playing together for 30 days. At least they've got each other to keep entertained