Wwyd in this situation?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Two school aged kids, only one of which would be eligible for returning 1 June. I wfh full time now since mid March, and dh is on a reduced Rota, working outside the home on his days.

He has now been given a three week notice letter saying he returning to work full time.

Our school have sent out very clear guidelines on what "school" will look like for Rec/Y1 and Y6. Frankly, it's like Guantanamo Bay. I absoloutley understand why. However I also believe putting my Rec aged child into that situation would be detrimental to them.

School have also said the hours will not be full time, and that we must be available to come and collect dc immediately should they show a single symptom (totally understandable), or if they require any first aid.

So, for the foreseeable, the dc will remain home with me and I will attempt to juggle schoolwork and my own work.

A colleague has asked why I am not going to, instead, send them to their childminder full time (if she reopens as she is currently closed).

Pre-covid, they went for 1.5 hrs after school, term time only. Colleague has said they think I should place them with the CM full time in order to do my work properly. This would cost our family £9 per hour. My income (pre tax and ni) is £10 per hour.

If my boss asks me to do what my colleague suggests, and no longer supports me wfh with the dc, then I can see no other option but to resign. I simply cannot justify returning to WoTH, sending my dc to someone else for 40 hours per week, neither of which are the safer options anyways, for £30 per week.

Wwyd?

I should add colleague does not cover any of my duties

My work is my own and any gaps are mine to plug. If I'm off on leave, the work waits for me to return.

Your colleague has no business talking to you about your childcare decisions. If they try again then be vague or say it's between you and your boss.
Personally I would agree that there's little benefit in using a childminder in your circumstances, but that's a red herring, you don't need to convince your colleague why you feel how you do. It's for your family and your boss to know whether you are looking after your children or not. Not nosey, opinionated colleagues.

Colleague needs to keep their beak out of your business.

Agree that it's none of your colleague's business.

Personally, if I couldn't WFH with the children I would send them to the childminder (assuming you can) rather than give up my job because the school situation is going to be temporary and it wouldn't be worth giving up my job because of the short term childcare expense.

Obviously for you it would depend on whether you like your job, how easy it will be to get another one, whether you financially need to work etc. etc.

because the school situation is going to be temporary

I just don't know whether it is though. Even if they eventually roll out all year group returns, no way could they social distance / have smaller classes, so likely kids aren't going to be all back full time until a vaccine is produced.

You have to just do what's right for your family.

Personally, I think the school closures are temporary, but who knows?! I really can't see schools being shut for years and even if I had to work for hardly any profit for 6 months it would be better than giving up my job, but that's my circumstances.

Also, you wouldn't have to send the DC full time. Even if you sent them for half days to the childminder it would mean getting a chunk of the day where you can work uninterrupted. Or even just send the younger one depending on the age of the older one. It's not all or nothing.

I think the key thing is that your colleague gets the message that their opinions aren't relevant. Perhaps she sees you as someone who she(?) can be a bit busy with, if so here's a great opportunity to change that.
I do agree with a pp that it may be worth sending your children to a childminder, that we don't know whether you need the money or how easily you could find another job etc... but only if you feel it's the right thing to do, not to placate a nosey colleague. From what you've said you are probably working longer hours and trying to fit schoolwork and your work responsibilities into whatever time you have available as a family. It might be helpful to talk to your boss and preempt any interference from your colleague, but only if you think it's useful. Anyway, if you're getting through the work and your boss is understanding about your other commitments (and aware of your husband's situation) then try to ignore your colleague's opinion. Working properly indeed!

likely kids aren't going to be all back full time until a vaccine is produced.

But an effective vaccine may not be produced. And will not be mass distributed for some time.

So You have to just do what's right for your family.
I agree with the PP that it doesn't have to be all or nothing.
I'd be loathe to give up my job completely though. I'd try to get creative and then totally wow my boss with a plan to make it work.

Colleague is a harpy, BTW

Do what is right for your family. Non of your colleagues business unless you ask them for an opinion. You are going to have to look after one child even if you send the other one to school, and youve no idea yet if the CM will be open and if so will be able to accommdate extra hours.
Hopefully your boss will continue to be supportive, can you work flexibly some evenings/ weekends when your DH can be around for childcare? Will his company also consider him working flexibly? Its tough atm but it wont be forever. I think in many work places there is a bit of resentment from colleagues who have no dc and see their colleagues with dc allowed flexible working/ shorter days with no difference in pay and with them potentially having to pick up the slack. But until you have dc i think you have little real understanding of what a juggling act it is, it unfair but thats life! If your work stopped being supportive and CM was open and could help I would put DC in her care for a few months until things get back to normal in order to keep my job but Id keep flexible wfh with dc as my preferred choice.

It's something you need to sort out with your employer to be honest. I have a colleague who's trying to do her normal job with 2 pre-schoolers which is just impossible. She does about one call a day .