to wonder why nursery is closed today?

[toobusyforthisscream]

Just that really. We live in London, there is snow on the ground, but my DH has got into work with absolutely no problem. Some trains and tubes are delayed but both are running, as are the buses. Am I being unreasonable to wonder why nursery has had to close? Or might there be a justification I'm not aware of? Stress levels running slightly high!

[MackerelOfFact]

I would be wondering the same. It took me about an hour longer than normal to get to work this morning (from Zone 4 to Zone 1) and it involved extra train changes, being crammed into an over-full carriage, and a slow walk on slushy pavements. But I knew before I went to bed last night that it would be bad so set my alarm accordingly for this morning. If I don't turn up, I don't get paid, I'll fall behind and miss deadlines. Not turning up isn't an option!

I really don't think that there can be many journeys that are actually impossible within Greater London at the moment. I have lots of friends and family who are teachers, but looking at Facebook the last few days it does seem as though some of them feel entitled to a couple of snow days a year.

[Mamf74]

When I went in to nursery with DD on Friday (no snow on the ground, some forecast) only about 10 children were there, out of a usual session of 30. It looked as though a lot of parents kept their children off then as snow was forecast.

So, no surprise after a decent couple of cm's snowfall that the nursery is closed today, despite most local schools being open (albeit later in most cases). Sadly it looked as if they knew that very few parents would make the decision to send their dcs in today.

[Iggly]

My road is classed as a primary route and is dreadful! Maybe it's because the workers cannot get in?

[lagerlout]

My SIL is a home carer, she spent from yesterday lunch time until midnight driving around slowly and carefully rather than leave her clients high and dry and isolated. It's about being prepared to make the effort and not having a defeatist attitude. Snow of the levels we currently have in London are not a reason for things to grind to a halt. Yes there are risks involved when getting around in this weather but if we lived our lives on what if's we wouldn't leave our houses on any day if the week. All workplaces have to make their environments safe for employees and visitors, if they can grit etc then so can a school. I use to manage pub restaurants, I would have been personally liable if someone had slipped where I didn't grit and make safe. I don't think that would have been an acceptable reason for me to close the business though.

[toobusyforthisscream]

Hmm, Iggly, sorry not to be more sympathetic, I can see it's difficult. But I live off a main road, in London, and it IS relatively easy for me. Just don't really understand it - I think it would help if our nursery gave us some sort of reason why. It really can't be to do with health and safety etc as the centre is open. Grrrr.

[RubyGates]

I'm going completely mad....
DS2's nursery closed as is the Children's centre nearest to us for no very good reason.
The Children's centre at which I have a session is open (nearly as near as the closed one but in the opposite direction), but I can't go to them because unlike every other children's centre I do sessions at they won't let me take DS2 with me in an emergency, so thy're not getting a session either.

I have been stuck indoors with DS2 for a week now as last week he had some temperature-y/buggy thing. I have cabin fever and he's gone a bit mad, aaaaaaaaaargh.

That feels better (but not much)

[BlahBlahBlahhh]

Have one DS off as school closed, other has had to go in as his schools open. Both schools within half a mile of each other...it's a joke...roads here are passable. I'm a nurse, I've got patients to attend to...I can't just cry off, I live 3 miles away from work but will have to walk for my night shift if I can't drive ( our policy is that you have an obligation to get in if you are within 3 mile radius). Funny how the people who have allowed their kids to bunk off today where I live ( meaning Im the worst mother in the world to DS who is at school) can manage to get out to go sledging, even though its a miles trek to the best hill round here but 5 min walk to school "how could I possibly ?". As you can tell, we are not impressed...

[MrsOakenshield]

staff coming in from further out is my guess, but it is all a bit ridiculous, we're in zone 2, nursery is open but will close early. Will I get a refund? Will I heck. I bet a lot of people could WALK to work, if they planned ahead and could be bothered.

[Bakingnovice]

Lager I agree. Facebook seems to be full of teaching staff who decided on Saturday that this week should have snow days. My Dh has got into work fine as there is no traffic at all. The roads are fine. My db got into work at school only to find it closed. He didn't get the text.

[Iggly]

I will add - my response is influenced by the fact that someone idiot went into the back of us yesterday and we saw many cars slipping and sliding about. It's dangerous.

[ghoulelocks]

It's horrible being the one who has to call if a school/ nursery is closed or open in snow. Last year I closed a school and was pretty unpopular, main roads were clear. However the caretaker and I had been there the Sunday before and from 5.30am that morning trying to make the site safe but had to say it wasn't. There was ice everywhere, limited grit and huge areas to cover with steps, drops under snow and slopes. With such a large volume of people using the site, including hundreds of young children and vulnerable family members too we decided the chance of having an accident was unacceptably high. Being personally liable for any accidents does colour your judgement too!

[Iggly]

The roads are awful (London too). If people have to drive and live off a main road they won't be able to get in.

I'm on a train in to work now and they're running but barely. I'll be leaving early today.

So just because it's easy for you, try thinking a bit beyond.

[lagerlout]

I live on the outskirts of zone 6 and I'm at the top of a hill so snow always looks a lot worse than what it actually is when you go a couple of miles down the road into the town. We can only have about 6 inches in total. DS school made the decision to close today due to staff travelling in. In fairness his school is very good and rarely closes while those around it does but I don't understand why teachers can't travel in snow when the rest of us do. I'm currently on my way into central London and so far no problems. I know the tubes in town are delayed but I'll be getting my daily exercise with a 2.5 mile walk to avoid them. I see people on Facebook who work in education posting things like 'Yay, a snow day.' Last minute decisions like this cause havoc for working parents arranging childcare and when the reason is because staff can't get in but the rest of us can still find a way into work it does make you wonder why. Where would we be if the emergency services all ground to a halt with this excuse?

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

I'd bet anything its due to ofsted ratios.

[sweetestB]

I'm in London too. Primary schools are closed around here and I think it is just beyond ridiculous. Last Friday they made us collect at 1pm when there was snow falling heavily and ghastly wind. At 3, there was snow on the ground but no wind or snowstorm. when I used to work in a private nursery, the manager would use any weather excuse to close early or not to open at all. And she wasn't ashamed to tell us she wanted time off and would use healthy and safety as excuse.

[Bakingnovice]

What is wrong with people. Here the schools ate closed, except the fee paying ones. Buses and trains running fine. Roads not great but it's ok to drive. Schools don't always appreciate the knock on effect of closures. My poor neighbour is in bits. She can't go to work because schools are closed, her boss is not happy, she's stressed. She had to miss work Friday for the same reason. Her eldest is missing an exam. It's just snow ffs. I know it's difficult for many but there are many who just cannot be bothered!

[Mia4]

toobusyforthisscream Do you know they are all local though? Some may be commuters, or it may be more simply that the people who may need to be there for H&S and insurance reasons can't get in so they've closed even if others could get in.

Have they got a website? Can you email them? If they are taking the piss then yes, it's annoying and totally out of order but calm down and wait until you've heard something. My mum's school went mad when there nurse didn't come in with no call or anything, the head left a really nasty voicemail, they later found out she'd had an accident while walking to work, been hit by a careening cyclist and broken her ribs and collarbone and had concussion.

The thing the nursery needs to do and should do so i'm surprised, is have a warning system in place for parents so they are kept aware and don't waste time coming in, or find alternate childcare. Does this nursery not have anything in place?

[toobusyforthisscream]

I just don't buy it. Every local school is open for miles round here so the idea that nursery staff can't get in because their kids are off can't be true. And if staff can get into schools, surely they can get in to nursery? I just don't believe that many people are snowed in to their roads (no evidence of that round here, where traffic is as normal). Hmmm, getting a bit annoyed. I better have a calming coffee.

[ihearsounds]

some of the delays are at least 45 minutes. My school isnt open because of heating problems. Found out not long ago, but collegues are currently stuck on trains, with what is supposed to be 45 minute delay. But tfl are just saying slight delays lol.
This is without staff off because of illness and their childrens schools closed. So, even if heating on, the decision based on lack of staff would have meant we are closed today.

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

We're also in London and school is closing early frankly, I'm expecting it to look like a scene from the day after tomorrow...because I can see no other reason why it should shut early unless we're literally going to get snowed in!

It's ridiculous!

[Mia4]

Does the nursery have an email you an leave a message at to ask for updates. Could be H&S, perhaps not enough staff can get in especially if driving? My parners also good to get into London by train but I can't get anywhere near my workplace by car because i can't get out of my ice rink road. Or their kids schools are all closed so the need to look after them? Just hope no one has had any accidents or anything.

They should have told you why though, how did they update you?

[city1984]

Although many local schools are open.

[dixiechick1975]

They may close if more snow is forecast or travel disruption. Whilst you may feel fine to drop off if parents can't get back to pick up on time it could be a potentially dangerous situation.

[city1984]

I was just about to post same thing for school. Main roads are completely fine but apparently closed due to staff shortage due to weather. People have to get in in other jobs so why not teachers? No axe to grind btw as sahm. Incidently many of the staff live locally although I suppose some may not be able to get in if their children's school is close.