Is anyone now sending their pre schoolers to nursery?

[NowImLivinInExeter]

If you weren't already doing so, obviously I know keyworkers have been doing so throughout.

My DS (4) has his nursery reopening from 22 June. I work 3 days a week and he's been offered those 3 days, just slightly shorter hours to allow them to do a deep clean at the end of each day. The children will be in bubbles etc per government guidance but staff will not be socially distancing from the children.

If I'm honest I am desperate for him to go back as my work is suffering dreadfully but if I mention it IRL my family are utterly horrified I would consider sending him. I do not feel particularly worried about the virus itself - we do not have any shielding individuals in the household or extended family, and I understand DS himself is low risk - but comments from others are making me feel like I'm a dreadful mum for considering it.

Are others planning on sending their preschoolers back, or already doing it?

Yes preschooler went back on Monday. She loved it. I loved it. Happy days!

Yep my two are back and 90% of their nursery are back - it’s working fine.

Yup, mine went back on Tuesday with her year 1 sister. Really small indie though so there are on 10 in a class

Yes, my DC, who are 3 and 1, have gone back. I'm happy with the precautions that the nursery are taking. Ignore the comments from your family, some of us have to work and need to get on with our lives. I feel like it's the best thing for my DC.

Yes ours is a very small independent too. When I spoke to the nursery manager yesterday she said on their busiest day there would only be 7 preschoolers in, and they won't be mixing with the baby or toddler rooms.

My family say I shouldn't need to send him back to nursery because I only work part-time and my employers are flexible so technically I can work in the evenings and around DS during the day. Technically I could, yes. But that's what I've been doing since March 22nd and it has been crap for all of us - poor DS is on the tablet half the time as I am in calls or suddenly have to answer emails etc. And we don't have a garden either - nursery has got a massive one.

Yes. My 3 year old went back Monday. It's a small rural preschool and only 5 are back at the moment. She has been Mon and Weds 9-3, as they are only open two days at present. She has loved it. They have got things in place for the kids and I'm happy to send her.
We have no shielding people in our family, my DH has started back at work following furlough and I'm WFH ( which is much easier with only a 1 year old not the two of them! )

Yes mine went back on Monday. 12 in her room, no interaction with other rooms, as much time outside as possible, slightly shorter hours, drop off and pick up outside, children brought out rather than going in.

Yep, mine went back on Monday and his face has been all lit up since! I just don’t tell people things if I think they might disapprove! It’s nothing to do with them anyway!

I just think it will be really good for him to have a bit of normality

Yes, mine went back yesterday. I work in infectious diseases so quite comfortable that it’s a safe thing to do. We are all generally healthy and have no contact with anyone who is a particular risk (and we generally don’t have contact with anyone anyway at this point). But it’s not realistic to try to work my full time job with 2 dc at home indefinitely (dh can’t wfh so does take days off, unpaid as he’s self employed, but he can’t do that forever either). I’m comfortable with the risk assessment and I’d send my school age one back to if they’d take her!

Yes, since the beginning of April when they re-opened over here in Denmark. Similar precautions on the whole although they've been relaxed a bit now.

As with all the other daycares and kindergartens throughout the country, it hasn't led to an outbreak of sick children or employees.

Denmark seems to have a handle on the situation though - I don't trust our government at all!

Yes, it's true enough, but the virus is still active and present here - the rules in the kindergartens have been relaxed simply because the kids don't seem to be spreading it. :)

I'm British, so I have a close eye on what's going on back home (especially since my old Nan is in a care home.) I think the government are doing an atrocious job but I'd still send my young kids to nursery (although I appreciate it's very easy for me to say from over here!)

Yes, my pre-schooler went back today, for his usual hours / days. He couldn't wait, as he missed his friends.

I wouldn't give too much weight to over-zealous concerns from your family. Make a decision based on the information you have received from your nursery (e.g. I assume they'll have a COVID-19 policy detailing changes to things like class size, limiting contact between classes, what they'll do if a child or teacher becomes ill, what their new cleaning policies are etc) and what you feel is best for you and your child.

Yep back 2 days a week (from 5). It’s great. I was so worried about it - thought it might be traumatic and there would be PPE and socially distanced playing but the changes are subtle and only onerous for the adults.

Actually I’ve been enjoying having the DC home but I think 2 days a week is a perfect compromise and a good preparation for reception.

Our preschool twins have gone back this week, we're happy, they are happy. We are comfortable with the decision we as parents have made, and don't need to justify it to anyone else.

Yes, my two year old raced into nursery and didn’t look back, while I stood at the door sobbing! It’s good for her to be back. She loves it, she gets to see her friends. I get to work so am less stressed. Win win.

DD (3) went back yesterday, three days a week, normal hours.

I've started to worry more about the potential long-term effects of all this on our DC at this age where interaction with peers is important element of development than I am worried about the virus.

I also need to get a lot more work done!

Thanks all this is really encouraging

I would have sent mine throughout if they had been open. Still waiting to hear, but I think it will be the 15th.

Mine will be going back week of June 15th. Preschool opened on Monday but I missed the June 1st intake email.

DS1 is starting school in September and I wanted him to have some time getting used to being around people his own age again. Interacting properly and actually following instruction which seems to have gone out of the window these last few weeks. He's desperate to see his friends.

DS2 (4) is back at preschool and also back with his CM (she only has him and DS1). They’re having just 10 of them, three mornings a week. We both work FT and we’re on our knees. Frankly, he would have gone back regardless, we’re not vulnerable and he was miserable about missing everyone.

My DD will be going back. We live in a rural area where the infection rate is particularly low. She desperately misses the interaction with her key worker and classmates and I feel like I'm failing as a mother because I can't play with her and entertain her all day. So ignore the naysayers; they might be worried but nobody cares about your kids like you do; I'm sure your risk assessment is perfectly adequate and if they keep harping on, tell them to get fucked.

Yes, she is over the moon to be back.