Year R and Year 1 back to school

[Justajot]

I know there aren't any details. But if you are a year R or year 1 parent, will you be sending them back?

YANBU - Yes, sending back
YABU - No, staying at home

[SardineOil]

Nope, my youngest two are shielding

[Eskarina1]

Depends on the details. Full time, 30 kids to a classroom still and relying on ppe/handwashing not a chance. Sensibly done, part time, small groups to reduce the risk and with the other measures announced so far not making too much of an impact then yes.

[SansaSnark]

I think it's definite that YR, 1 and 6 will be the first to go back, but not definite that the date will be 1st June.

I agree it's basically impossible for parents to make this decision without knowing what things will look like in schools.

[Wildlingyoumakemyheartsing]

The earliest years of education are the most important in terms of closing the disadvantaged/non disadvantaged gap. The long term effects of them missing these months of school will be considerable in comparison to other year groups.

[Eskarina1]

And I think they've chosen these groups, (and nursery) because they'll have the biggest impact on people's ability to work.

[megletthesecond]

Insane idea sending the tiddly ones back so soon.
They're muck magnets at the best of times.

[SansaSnark]

I don't want to send my little boy back to school. Why do the tiniest have to be first?

I'd guess there are a couple of reasons:

-to facilitate parents working. I imagine it's very difficult working from home with a child under 6, older ones are more likely to be able to play/work independently.

-they're the age group probably least able to alert someone if there are problems at home like abuse and neglect.

-early intervention can make a huge difference in terms of children's life chances.

[livingthegoodlife]

Not unless it's compulsory. I have one R child and a couple of other primary aged. I'd have to take them all with me to drop off. It would massively disrupt our day. I don't like the idea of R children not maintaining social distancing and bringing germs back to our home. What's the point in social distancing in the supermarket when five year olds are practically rubbing tongues at school!?!

I'm going to wait and see.

[june2007]

YABU because we have no dates yes, it,s just when they do go back they will be the first allowed in.

[Namesgonenow]

Pre school DS about to start school in September. Nursery opening 1 June. He will be the first to arrive on day 1 of opening

[KKSlider]

We do have dates @june2007, its provisionally the 1st of June although this could change if numbers go up between now then.

[HariboBrenshnio]

I have one in year one and he will absolutely be going back as soon as it's open. Fingers crossed the preschooler won't be far behind!

If other parents choose not to send their kids, that's even better for those of us who do!

[Spacecudet]

I teach reception and have a child in year 1 so we will both be back in. Can't imagine what it's going to be like though!

[AllieAct]

Not as things stand now.

We can juggle having them at home until September if necessary.

Need more info before deciding.

[Maybelatte]

I think it’s quite odd to choose those year groups to return. 4/5 year olds have no idea how to socially distance at all, they’re all over each other constantly.

To the people saying children are unaffected, they really aren’t at all and you also need to look at the bigger picture. Those children go home to adults who may well be massively affected if they get ill.

Thankfully none of my children are in the mentioned year groups but I wouldn’t send mine back that soon. I’m seven months pregnant so they’re not going back till September at the soonest.

[TurquoiseDress]

YANBU

[jakeyboy1]

Depends if they are going to actually do some work.

[LittleBearPad]

Yes, DS will go. His older sister might be a bit cheesed off. She’s missing school much more than he is!

[Idroppedthescrewinthetuna]

3 DDs. Yr 7, Yr1 and preschool!
Dp is shielded. Mine will not be going back! My children will have a far tougher time knowing their dad is in the house but unable to see them as he is isolating away from them than what they will by not going back to school!

[minipie]

I don’t know. If it was all years I would absolutely be sending them but it’s going to be very hard to explain to my Y2 child why my reception child can go but she can’t. Especially since she’ll have to come with me for most school runs.

[stayingaliveisawayoflife]

No group work no play no social distancing, of course many schools will have to ignore that so let's see if the number of cases rises.

Why the youngest you may ask? Well it doesn't matter what they do at school, whether their learning or emotional well being is affected, their parents can go back to work and not struggle to wfh with little ones any more. I'm not belittling how hard it has been but let's see the true picture here.

Cynic me yes.

[Silkenworm]

Definitely going back. Quite apart from the reasons mentioned above, these year groups are also the hardest to teach at home (if you want them to progress in a constructive rather than an ad hoc fashion - though there are arguments that it should be ad hoc) because they require very varied, imaginative play based learning, which very difficult to do in a constructive way at home. The style of learning also requires considerable input from the educator. Development of social skills is also in a critical phase.

[Frozenveggista]

I’m interested to see how schools are expected to social distance reception and year one children without risking their health, the teachers health and the mental and social development of the children who go back.

[CaveMum]

Some people may not have a choice - I can’t see employers being very impressed if an employee informs them that even though school is open for their child they won’t be sending them and therefore not returning to work.