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Original poster

Any 'keyworkers' not sending their children to school on Monday?

77 replies

Lottiethelemming · 02/01/2021 17:12

DP and I are working from home.

We put the kids on the list last time just in case.

We're stressed about trying to homeschooling around working full-time with 2 very active young children.

More importantly, we don't want to put the school staff under any more pressure/risk than they are already.

I'm going to have to speak to my manager about shifting things around a bit which shouldn't be a problem but it's still going to be difficult.

Are there any other 'keyworkers' who are in a similar position? Is it expected that you will still send your children to school just because you can?

OP posts:

Helpmyhair2019 · 02/01/2021 17:20

My husband and I are primary teachers. We have already decided our year 6 son in a different school will not being going in even if we are told we have to. My older child is home due to secondary closure. I have no choice but to go to work. I do have the choice not to put my child in school

Helpmyhair2019 · 02/01/2021 17:21

And even though we have key worker places if schools close I believe they are still better off at home if possible

Bessica1970 · 02/01/2021 17:22

Keyworker (Secondary school) - my secondary school child will be staying home and we’re seriously considering keeping year 5 DS off too.
I will be in school for keyworker students, but my keyworker DH works from home so the boys can do school work at home.

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Ffsnosexallowed · 02/01/2021 17:23

If you are working from home i didn't think you could use a school place??

User56770987 · 02/01/2021 17:23

In my area 'keyworkers' only get places if not able to work from home...

Tippexy · 02/01/2021 17:24

Some key workers do work from home, and are unable to homeschool, for example if they have to hold virtual consultations.

lockdownconfused · 02/01/2021 17:25

I cannot work from home so mine are going in. Last time they closed the schools I didn't use the key worker provision and my eldest child provided childcare. He was in his last year in high school as due to them announcing no exams he had no lessons or work to do. He has online live lessons now and can't be expected to try to complete and do his work with his younger siblings needing supervision. I wish I didn't have to send them but if I don't go to work I don't get paid. I've already cut my hours by a third and things are tight I can't drop anymore time in work.

Helpmyhair2019 · 02/01/2021 17:52

I totally understand people who have no other choice other than to send chidlren in for key worker places. I would be the same if my primary aged child was younger. I will be going in to either teach as normal or if schools are closed provide key worker places. However as I have the possibility of keeping my son at home - even with them home learning on their own - I am taking it.

Rowgtfc72 · 02/01/2021 18:08

Weve requested a keyworker place for dd and been told as shes the only yr 9 she cant have one. Crossing fingers dhs shifts dont change or she'll be home alone from 530am.

MotherExtraordinaire · 02/01/2021 18:37

I could send my child if closed. I didn't last time and wouldn't. If everyone sends who could, that's imo just elongating the whole situation as well as risking staff and children/families.

MotherExtraordinaire · 02/01/2021 18:39

@Tippexy

Some key workers do work from home, and are unable to homeschool, for example if they have to hold virtual consultations.

Plenty of parents in the same position. You just manage for the greater good!

maddy68 · 02/01/2021 18:43

I definitely would not be sending mine

ItsAllComingBackToMeNow · 02/01/2021 18:45

In our authority both parents needs to be key workers. I’m a teacher and DH is a firefighter, but we won’t be sending our two school age children in.

newhousestress · 02/01/2021 18:45

No I'm not. We'll manage somehow. They wouldn't like the Hub thing and their friends and usual teacher not being there.

Audreyseyebrows · 02/01/2021 18:47

Nope. I didn’t last time and I won’t this time.
He’s secondary school age and can be left.

weddingplanning15 · 02/01/2021 19:01

Yes I am. Not much choice as both parents keyworkers and have to work. I have risk assessed and even thought tier 4 area, not many cases.

weddingplanning15 · 02/01/2021 19:02

#though

Meowmeow20202 · 02/01/2021 19:15

My sons considered vulnerable and my dh is a key worker. Hes got a place even tho the school staff made it clear to me that they want little children in as possible. Hes still going and im not the smallest bit sorry.

TidyOmlette · 02/01/2021 19:17

Me and my DH. I’m NHS and he is a mechanic but I work nights so although I’ll struggle with no sleep I would rather not put them or their teachers in that position.

Original poster

Lottiethelemming · 02/01/2021 19:22

Thank you. I haven't heard much about those working from home with young children so it's good to know I'm not on my own.

I didn't know there was a rule about not using the provision if keyworkers could work from home. The school know about my job and know I work from home and it hasn't been a problem before. I'm pretty much on the phone 9-5 and it's not practical with children but it is what it is.
I won't be sending the kids to school.

I really do feel sorry for the teachers. Is there a reason why they aren't a priority vaccine-wise? They don't have much of a choice and this government should be ashamed of themselves.

I'm also worried about finding time to homeschool. Idon't want them to be left behind and they're not old enough to work unsupervised.

I suppose I'll use evenings and weekends. Making a timetable might be a good idea.
I'm thinking out loud here!

OP posts:

Goatscheesewithhoney · 02/01/2021 19:23

@MotherExtraordinaire - so, if your job consisted with telephone/video with people who were imminently suicidal, do you think it would be safe to do that with young children in the background? For the person having the apt, if the conversation is cut off at a key moment ? Or safe for the children themselves? as a parent who is shut in another room (so the children do not hear traumatic content, as well as for confidentially) cannot supervise children too.

Do you parents who are doing that work from home should just “manage”?

Imagine trying to relay information to a 999 call handler, quite quickly, and having to stop as your child has just hurt themselves/had a tantrum and needs attention...

Goatscheesewithhoney · 02/01/2021 19:25

Or, do you think parents in that type of job should just leave their jobs or take unpaid leave? Leaving an already at struggling workforce on its knees, and cancelling support for people who desperately need it?

starrynight19 · 02/01/2021 19:25

I am a key worker and won’t be sending my children in.

TitsOot4Xmas · 02/01/2021 19:28

It’s tightened here this time around. Attached are my area’s rules. In a neighbouring area both parents have to be key workers who have to prove that they must both work out of the house during school hours.

Grandparent childcare (in another area again) is only in the absence of other options, but we’ll be using that.

Any 'keyworkers' not sending their children to school on Monday?

TitsOot4Xmas · 02/01/2021 19:29

I really do feel sorry for the teachers. Is there a reason why they aren't a priority vaccine-wise? They don't have much of a choice and this government should be ashamed of themselves.

Logistics.

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