Should schools shut for Good Friday/ Easter Monday?

[ringletsandtwiglets]

Curious what the general public think about this. Schools are being asked for staff volunteers to provide childcare over the bank holidays.

YABU- no, schools should stay open for keyworkers and/or vulnerable children

YANBU- yes, schools should be closed entirely on those days

Also what’s happening with weekend childcare for key workers considering the circumstances?

I think it’s for each school/group of schools to decide what is best for their staff and the students they are providing childcare for

YABU

NHS and food delivery workers will still be working on these days and are likely to need child care.

Same applies to the weekends as well come to think of it.

I don't think schools should be open at all because how much does a child being at school 9-3 effect the childcare arrangements of key workers? Surely without nursery, wrap around care, etc. It's just risky entertainment not proper childcare substitute anyway?

If it is supposed to be helping frontline workers, then what about weekends, nights etc.? I assume there are no schools opening for the 12+ hours of most front line workers.

Depends whether you think hospitals should be open on those days?

Schools are quite often open one or the other of those days in a normal year, aren't they, depending on when Easter falls? My out of school club and private nursery would have been open in normal circumstances this year.

So, given that schools are being used for childcare, and given that you said they are asking for volunteers and not forcing anyone, then why on earth not open?

key workers usually don't rely on schools for childcare over weekends or Bank Holidays. My school is planning on opening during the Easter holidays to support key workers, not sure about the bank holidays yet.

Schools normally closed those days anyway. (in England may be different in Scotland.) So stay shut.

I think they should remain open on bank holidays as well as weekends. Anything to make life easier for key workers at the moment as we are the whole country is relying on them.

Schools don't normally open on those days - absolutely correct. Normally, people use family, friends, holiday clubs etc etc or even take leave themselves. Those things aren't available because this isn't normal circumstances. Yes, they need to be open for those that need them. (And anyone seeking to take advantage when they don't actually need them needs roasted frankly)

@Stronger76

That is true. But normally they can rely on friends and grandparents to step in. Grandparents won’t be able to help this time. And friends should be respecting social distancing advice. If they allow an extra child into their household they are multiplying their risks by however many contacts that child has had and they are multiplying the child’s risk by however many contacts they have had.

Best thing to reduce spread is to keep the child with their existing contact group. Ideally that would be with a parent at home. But if that is not possible the child should be with their usual group.

These are exceptional times and many key workers are working far more than usual. Schools should stay open.

I’m working in school tomorrow and the one clear message that’s coming through is that we have to see how it goes and what is needed. I’ve volunteered with other colleagues to work and we will worry about the logistics when we need to. Can’t go to Church anyway and am happy to keep going when needed.

Absolutely not. Teachers deserve a break too.

Liverpool is probably going to move to 7am-7pm opening for their hubs next week.

I hope they do or we will either have to send daughter to grandparents (argh) or to isolating friends (slightly less argh) or the nhs is at least one doctor down over the BH weeks. (DH and I both doctors). We are happy to work all the hours needed to to help but that depends on childcare (I’m not at work today saving lives as my nursery didn’t have a space for DD as it’s not her normal nursery day, so here I am watching YouTube videos with a preschooler rather than you know saving people)

@MsMD I think all essential workers would love a break. Thing is we can’t have one it’s a national emergency and if we don’t all pull together to keep healthcare professionals in work and food workers serving food were all gonna suffer even more

Yeah, whilst we are at it why don’t we just move your kids in with us. Then you can all collect them when they are 18

Teachers need a bloody rest too!! We are exhausted! Parent your own children ffs

Schools are only open for vulnerable children and children of key workers. I'm sure hospital staff would love to "parent their own children" instead of going to work, but...

Yeah because schools are only looking after the children of hospital staff

To answer your question as to what my sister and BIL (both key workers) do normally with holidays, they drop the kids off at my parents each day or my parents move into their spare room. My parents also help with after school care. Not an option now.

Also, they have arranged their working hours so three days a week, a parent can do school pick up. My sister isn’t going to be rigidly sticking to her agreed hours in a pandemic - she’s not that sort of doctor.

Luckily my BIL can do his work from home. If he has to go out, one of my parents is going to go and sit in their garden and keep an eye on the kids through a window.

Schools need to be rigorous and proactive in keeping the numbers to an absolute minimum. I work with vulnerable children and we are keeping a skeleton staff only and reviewing every day.

We are not volunteers, we are all having to work without question unless we are (one of the cheeky feckers) self isolating all of a sudden 🙄. We are now being told that we will be working weekends and Easter with no mention of paying us or giving us any time off in future in return. We are working on a rota at the moment and if we are not in we are setting work daily and conversing with pupils so working from home as much as others.

They need to stay open, all the options open to all key workers are being closed now with new measures. No grandparents, partners more likely to be pressured to work due to reduced staff etc.

I dont see any other option.