Nurseries back before schools?

[Russell19]

A friend of mine keeps saying nurseries and early years will be the first to go back.

AIBU in thinking this can't be right?!

Why would the smallest people who have no idea about social distancing and share saliva, toys etc. all the time be the first to go back? I get childcare problems but if we are looking at it from a health perspective surely older children would be best to go back first?

We now have clear evidence that children under 6 can't spread it.

You’re kidding right. For every piece of evidence there so counter evidence to then opposite. There is lots of evidence to suggest children don’t have symptoms so we won’t even know if they are sick and send them home.

I don’t give a crap what anyone thinks when I say I just want 30 minutes to myself to drink a cup of coffee while it’s still at least warm.

I’m sure my staff and me are happy to die or get ill so you can have a hot cup of coffee. As I said it’s a selfish attitude.

We now have clear evidence that children under 6 can't spread it.

For God's sake.

Can I just reiterate the disclaimer that I put in my post about NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING FULL TIME as a few frothy people have roundly ignored it

@thegreenlight

“Other countries may not send children to school until 7 but we do. We send them early, mainly because the government doesn’t trust early years development to parents and families......”

Why are you saying that to me?

I have no issue with reception going back based on educational outcomes, I just hope it’s in collaboration with scientific evidence that it won’t affect the R value.

I’ve taught in the UK and 1 other European country for a number of years. I know why we have statutory Early years education in the U.K. When considering the provision in both countries, both have merit.

The downside to the system in the other country, were the lower levels of access to EY from those children from lower income families, and those with the equivalent of EAL. Those children were at significant disadvantage on entry to primary (year 2)

Free early years provision in the U.K. is something I agree with. Totally bemused to why you think I’d disagree with it.

Really interesting reading everyone's points of view.

I guess we will just have to wait until Thursday to see what Boris says. If it's decided we go back as a teacher and a mum I'm prepared to get back to work/nursery as it has got to happen at some point. But do people think it is unreasonable for me to ask my boss for 1/2 weeks unpaid parental leave so I can get my baby settled into nursery? (There is another part time teacher who can pick up my hours)

I don't think schools will be fully open until September. I think there will be some sort of settling in sessions for next years reception children and year 7s as there would be normally. I think nurseries will be able to open over the summer (end of June?)

You’re assuming it has anything to do with safety for children and their teachers/nursery workers. It’s all about getting people back to work and health measures are far down the list.

Sadly I think this is the case. The workers looking after the children are expendable, the economy isn't. The wealthy families who can afford to have a parent at home are buying the advantage of safety and protection for their families whilst the poorer working families will have to take the the risk - those with children who need the child care because neither parent can afford to be at home and the single parents and single adults who work in low paid jobs such as shop work and caring jobs.

Is your husband able to help with settling in sessions as well? I think it would be wrong to assume the other teacher would want the hours.

I work in a nursery and worry that if nurseries don't open soon I might not have a job.

@Freddiefox wind your neck in, I said no such thing.

Anyone who sends their child to nursery is also accepting risk. It might be the nursery staff who infect the children or parents! My partner and child's father is terminally ill. Catching a nasty virus could kill him but we can't all live like troglodytes forever anon, can we? Realisically, we still need to live with managing the risk as best we can.

@freddiefox yes he is so wouldn't necessarily be every day I'd need off.

But on the other hand you cannot social distance at nursery so I do worry about health issues so not really sure what the answer is.

@happyandsingle honestly think it's going to be a case of open and hope for the best.

We've already been told to prepare to to back so no doubt soon as go ahead is given be back.

@Cam2020

I didn’t say you did?

@Cam2020 misunderstood, you were referring to a post further back.
Yes i stand by what I said. And no I won’t wind my neck. I will continue to point out the dangers of opening a nursery with children who have no understanding of social distancing to enable other people to work form home more effectively.

MotherofDinosaurs from your post it sounds as if you only have one kid. I don’t think you can compare that to people who have multiple children or children with additional needs. I think most people do know how to look after their own kids but we are used to having support and at least a tiny bit of respite from either school, nursery, family or friends. It’s also an unprecedented challenge to have to try and homeschool children of different ages when that isn’t a path you’ve chosen. I love my children so much and I am aware I am so privileged compared to so many people but it doesn’t stop the days being difficult. I will sing for joy when the schools and nurseries go back: the help I have from my children’s wonderful teachers help me to be a better mother.

MotherofDinosaurs but even it not wfh there’s only so many activities one can think of, especially for pre schoolers in a house- we are used to playgrounds and farms and family, even a trip round aldi was some excitement. All gone!

Anyone who goes out before a virus is found and in circulation is accepting risk. People really aren’t realising this, this virus isn’t going anywhere we are trying to limit its impact but we can’t keep everyone at home for a year!

Before a vaccine is found* that should read

Even if they go back after half term it will only be for 5 weeks and then it will be the 6 week summer holiday so it will only be 'restpite' for children and families.

Which is why I don't think they will go back until september. They won't risk it for a 6 week term.

@umpteentimes but why would they then risk it in september? right when the flu season starts. this argument makes no sense

Maybe schools will stay off then for the rest of the academic year. I've no idea!

The ONS shows that as at the end of w/c 17 April, 2 people under the age of 14 had died of covid19 in this country. Less than 200 people under the age of 44 had died of covid19 in this country. Almost half of the population of the country are under 44 years of age, approximation that the cast majority of parents of primary school children are in this age group.

The ONS shows that 95 children died of infectious diseases in the UK in 2018.

A massive amount of perspective is needed here. It is not remotely unsafe for you children to be at school or nursery compared with the ordinary amount of risk we expose ourselves to every single day.

As a childminder I can have school aged children as well as early years so it makes sense for me to be able to work in my small setting allowing up to ten families to return to work (I work with an assistant)

My friend owns a nursery. She said they'd been asked to prepare for the middle of May, but she's not at all confident that'll happen and needs more information and to work out how she's going to pay staff.