to say that working parents need a Plan B (and all parents are responsible for their children's Covid-appropriate behaviour)?

[SaltyAndFresh]

We're kidding ourselves if we think we really have the data to say that opening schools with no social distancing, no PPE (not through choice, it's not allowed) and in many cases inadequately ventilated and crowded classrooms is safe. We can't possibly know. Secondary teachers will be in standing in front of around 300 pupils a week, and there isn't the space for a 2m distance at the front of the room.

Teachers are not saying they don't want schools to reopen (not that they were shut) which has been said and ignored multiple times. I'm both a working parent and a teacher.

AIBU to say that schools don't exist for parents' economic convenience and that if too many school staff become ill, it's up to parents to have a Plan B if schools have to scale back their opening? If in the coming months, we as parents end up having to reduce our hours to facilitate blended learning, it will mean difficult financial times ahead but that will not be the fault of schools and school staff.

Please note the 'if'.

Furthermore, AIBU to say that parents of mainstream pupils who want schools open, come what may, should be accountable for their DC's Covid-appropriate behaviour, whether or not they believe the virus is a hoax?

Our neighbours have said they would manage much better without part-time school pick-ups and drop-offs.

When was this? Schools are back full time from September.

Then why are parents fined for their children's non-attendance?

Parents can deregister their child and home educate if they don't want to be fined.

YANBU in principle which is what I voted BUT I think it’s not really that easy as having a plan b (as I’m sure many posters have said). Schools aren’t predominantly childcare but I think we have a role to play, in that part of the reason I feel full time opening should be the goal is that parents do need to work.

People will lose their jobs over this, you can’t just expect everyone’s boss to accept their “plan b”. Obviously I’m sure any parent will try and plan accordingly if schools close, I doubt anyone thinks there’s no possibility of having to find childcare again.

In an ideal situation, yes, everyone should have their childcare covered and be able to keep DC off whilst still working and earning. But it’s not really going to work like that.

VeniceLover You really are just an idiot, aren’t you?

[quote Hercwasonaroll]@SueEllenMishke

I'm finding your ambivalence strange.

You admit you'll be going into an unsafe environment in September with lectures/classes. Yet seem to be of the "suck it up" school of thinking.

I'm well aware the public sector is underfunded. I've seen the effects of the cuts in the last 10+ years.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't put pressure on the government to fund the return to school.[/quote]
What's the alternative?

I'm not ambivalent but I'm not into scaremongering. We have to find a middle ground.

I do find it ironic that teachers are telling parents to have a plan B when as key workers that's not something they have to consider.

@Venicelover some of us are single parents. What do you suggest we do?

@Hercwasonaroll. Parents can deregister their child and home educate if they don't want to be fined.

But why are they fined at all since school is not compulsory?

@Ethelfleda, you are completely misjudging me. I am not going to waste my time explaining the point again.

@Nicknacky, no, I just disagree with your pov.

Venicelover

Your being patronising and supercilious about something that’s totally not effected you at all. Tbh it’s weird your even on this thread as you have no experience to offer it.

Was rich enough to buy a house on one income ✅

Kids left school ✅

Can work from home. ✅

Seriously your on a thread full of anxious parents worried about their kids education and personal finances when you’ve never experienced any of it and all you can say is - should have planned better.... what are you getting out of this thread apart from making yourself feel superior?

Middle ground is funding and an acknowledgement it's all a bit shit.

I have no plan B either. I won't get keyworker childcare as H isn't a keyworker. I'll have a 3yo and 8mo at home and be trying to teach.

I would be pretty ok with teaching children who’s parents needed childcare if we lockdown again.

Any excuse to avoid WFH to be honest.

@Waxonwaxoff0, I said in my first post that none of my comments applied to single parents.

[quote Iamnotthe1]@SueEllenMishke
Welcome to the public sector.....

This is what lots of us are dealing with in a wide range of sectors

So let's continue to highlight it and push for change for the better. Surely that's better than just accepting it.[/quote]
I agree but scaremongering/goady posts on MN aren't the way to do it.

@Reluctantcavedweller
It's only compulsory if you are registered. If you aren't, then it isn't!

@Trashtara

But spanieleyes you don't get private tutors like you used to (like how the queen was educated). You can't really find non-school ways of educating kids that don't involve large amounts of parental involvement. If I could, I would.

I registered on childcare.co.uk (and keep failing to cancel it) and among the options of nanny, babysitter, childminder etc they also have 'governess' and 'tutor.'

I thought this was hopelessly anachronistic until now.

But why are they fined at all since school is not compulsory?

When you sign up for school you hand over responsibility for education to the school. If you then don't provide your child to be educated, and haven't notified the LA you'll be homeschooling, then you aren't educating your child.

@Hercwasonaroll

Middle ground is funding and an acknowledgement it's all a bit shit.

I have no plan B either. I won't get keyworker childcare as H isn't a keyworker. I'll have a 3yo and 8mo at home and be trying to teach.

Nobody has says it isn't shit. Of course it is.

A whole generation of children missing out on an education and huge numbers of women being forced to quit their jobs is even more shit IMO though ....

I do find it ironic that teachers are telling parents to have a plan B when as key workers that's not something they have to consider.

I didn't get a key worker place for my child, and at my school we only had 2 children of school staff.

@venicelover yes, it still doesn't solve the problem though. I know it's not the teacher's issue but I really don't understand what those of us who are single parents and need to work are supposed to do.

@Codexdivinchi, was rich enough to buy a two bed terrace, not a mansion.

I am entitled to post on any thread and I have an interest in education and feel that teachers are undervalued by many parents who do see school as free childcare to fund larger houses.

I do think kids should be back in education but we have to get it right first time or everyone will suffer.

@SueEllenMishke
I agree but scaremongering/goady posts on MN aren't the way to do it.

Agreed but we do have to be careful about the concept of scaremongering and the way it's used now. It's become a word thrown around by people when the thing being discussed scares them but that doesn't mean it isn't real. Look at how much of the 'scaremongering' around Brexit has proven to be true over time.

"Economic convenience"? Last time I checked, school was where I sent my kids to get an education. And maybe you can tell me how to teach a 4 year old not to play with his friends, or whatever it is you mean by COVID appropriate behaviour. This is a disease that has no end date, so what's your proposal exactly? A return to medieval living standards where nobody can read and write? They're safe though, praise be

YANBU to think schools won't be open for long with the current plans, as they are not safe (especially secondaries with their massive 'bubbles').

It would help a lot if the government made plans now to make schools safer, eg allowing PPE for those who want it, daily temperature checks, additional cleaning, better test and trace. They also need to underwrite sick pay for people who need to isolate (so that they don't go into work with mild symptoms and send their kids into school when they should be getting tested, because they can't afford to be off).

I would like to see blended learning for secondary kids from the start of term, unless they are vulnerable the childcare aspect is less of an issue. It would mean they can social distance and reduce the transmission risks, therefore less risk of school closures.

And they should remove the threat of fines so that if some parents choose to keep their kids off for now, or prefer to just send them in part-time, they are able to do so.Less kids in school will reduce the risks to all. Welfare checks could be done for those who haven't returned to school
Teacher here and I agree with you. When my maternity leave ends I'll be teaching across 4 bubbles most days. Each bubble has between 200-250 students.
Right now I'm considering whether I want to go back after maternity leave, and my school is a good one who is doing their very best to look after staff and students.

LauraMipsum there are no governesses in our area (what an antiquated term) and all tutors are the after school, to support school learning types. I think I'd need to be in London to get a genuine governess/ tutor type person.

Sorry, I know there was a legal case a couple of years ago on this and I can't remember what the judge said but I remember thinking it was odd...

You are not legally obliged to send your child to school at all...

...But if you do send them to school you can be taken to court if they miss school.

A very odd position. I could understand the school wanting you to withdraw your children if they're constantly missing days for no reason. Since it would be disruptive. But surely the government shouldn't be able to prosecute you assuming your child is receiving an adequate education overall, i.e. you are fulfilling your legal obligation.

I know they can, I just can't remember why precisely.

A whole generation of children missing out on an education and huge numbers of women being forced to quit their jobs is even more shit IMO though ....

Whereas if we properly funded the return to school, it would lower the chances of this happening.