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. Sent my 16 month old back this week. Working from home ended with both of us in tears last week. To be honest if anyone made any comment to me they would be told that they are more than welcome to look after him, and if not they can fuck right off.
People who aren’t doing it have no idea how hard it is to constantly feel like you are buggering two things up.
He was so much happier after his first day back, (and he wasn’t that keen on nursery before the enforced break) so I’m happy with my decision.

The thing is I actually have certain family members who have volunteered to look after him instead of him going to nursery but I don't feel that they can be relied upon in the same way

Mine is going back next week although only one day when he normally does 4. I've still got 2dc at home and it's an 8mile round trip so I'm minimising effort. If I needed the full 4 days I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

On balance op I would send yours back into the formal setting, especially if relatives have volunteered simply because that can go wrong in so many ways. I haven't sent my 3.5yo back to his tiny preschool but they actually decided not to reopen anyway, but I'm lucky that I freelance from home and haven't much work at the moment. If this was this time last year, when I was working full time, it would have been a disaster. Our ten year old isn't in one of the years going back to school so it made sense to me to keep them both here and send them both in when we can. Probably September (insert gin face!!)

Our DD (2.5) has remained in nursery throughout doing her usual 2.5 days. It taken her some adjustment as they've changed teams each month but the nursery has been fantastic in their policies and communicated everything. I was hoping some of her friends would be back this week as it reopened on Monday but I think the uptake has only been about 25%.
Don't let your family make you feel like you're doing the wrong thing. Do what's best for your family 😊

I am sending my 2 year old now nursery is open. Before lockdown he went 3 days a week while I worked, I have been on furlough with him also but as an only child he does benefit hugely from the social aspect of nursery. As others have mentioned I too read my nursery Covid updates, and what social distancing they are putting in place. Measures such as social bubbles, increased hand washing and no one allowed in the nursery - parents do drop off and collection at the door. They have also been open throughout the lockdown to 150 children across 4/5 different sites, and have not had any Covid