List of rules making me feel on edge

[Ziggyzaggy]

My daughter has been home since march and will be going into year one next week. The school said that they will be in a class bubble before the summer holidays. They made it clear that the kids would just be mixing in that one class. I was fine with it and because she's in with her best friend I know she'll be happy. We've just had a long email from the headmaster with all the new rules and guidance and plans in place. Basically the kids will be going through the fire exits into the classroom. They won't be allowed to use the corridors. They have decided that despite the government saying they don't need to social distance in bubbles that they are going to make them social distance anyway. they've decided that children can't touch each other in the bubble and no-contact games will be allowed. They won't be allowed to sit on the carpet and the children will be at desks facing forward. They will only be allowed to the toilet in a bubble slot and they are banned from sharing food. They have to clean up their own cuts and scrapes but if they can't you will be called to collect your child and clean them up yourself at home. the school will report your child to the health authority if they shows signs of being unwell but will inform you of this. They are only allowed to walk home with the adult and not with their class friends. They want us there for 9 a.m. in the morning. they don't want us to be early and they don't want us to go near other parents as we queue down the street. they are encouraging kids to go through the gate by themselves and say goodbye to their parents at the gate. the teachers are allowed to help children with work but have to stay at least 1 metres away and can't help them for no more than 15 minutes. my daughter has not been at school for months and barely got into reception before lockdown. I'm well aware that the schools will be supporting the kids as well and trying to teach these new rules in a fun way but I feel like my daughter will mess up every day. She's used to holding hands with her friends and walking with her best friend to school. They all used to share snacks after school in the playground. they are used to sitting together and working together as a team. suddenly now they're not even going to be allowed to sit and do activities together. I know it might sound worse on paper but I just think for a 5-year old this experience of school is really negative. They won't be having assemblies or anything at the moment and they've said for the first two terms that theres no school meals. It just sounds really tough for a five-year-old. I hope the school make it fun and this doesn't put my daughter of going to school. It upsets me to think of her being told off for going near friends. they've also said that people can't pick your child up from a different bubble. that's going to make it hard for some parents as they used to share the school runs with friends last year. I'm presuming that my family can collect my child if there's ever a reason I can't go go but it just all seems very strict at the moment. I understand but it's confusing for them to suddenly not be allowed to do anything they used to. Not to mention having to walk in alone from the gates after a long break to a new class and teacher.

It looks like these plans are remaining until at least January. Kids will be full of anxiety being expected to be so mature so young.

It is OK to acknowledge that we wish things were different. Yes, it is a bit sad that they’ll need to adapt the school day to make it a bit less child-led.

But it’s not some terrible, draconian gulag state you’re sending them into. Teachers will be the same kind, reassuring people they always were. Rules are always in place in school and if you thought they’d all be constantly holding hands at 5 and not having to adapt and listen and do as they’re told you’d be disappointed permanently.

You do come across as anxious. And as parents are the biggest influences on children, how you approach it is pivotal.

It’s ok to feel sad it won’t be like normal. But it could be much worse, really. Getting back to school - even with new, different rules - is probably the most beneficial thing for these children’s mental health, not the opposite.

I think there are a lot more rules going on in schools which will have passed you by (because they teach them as they go and don't send you a sheet about

This. To a small child "Now we will sit on the carpet and listen to a story" isn't inherently freer or less of a rule than "Now we will sit at our desks and listen to a story". "Now we'll walk out through this door" doesn't have to be more restrictive than "Now we'll walk out through the corridor". Small children are constantly having to be reminded to walk nicely and do things in order, otherwise schools would be pandemonium.

Yes, it's a shame about the play-based curriculum, but no doubt creative teachers will find ways of still introducing creativity and spontaneity.

In the meantime, you can do a lot as a parent to make your dd feel happy and excited about going back to school.

And remember- if you or another adult close to her (including her teacher) were to fall seriously ill, that would be a very upsetting experience for her. Looking after the adults around her is almost the kindest thing you can do for her.

Very true. Real danger women will bear the brunt of this. But only women can ensure the fathers are equally impacted. And most won’t. Depressingly they will agree their job is less important.

Wear gloves and wash hands - what do they think us NHS staff have been doing all this time.

Wearing gloves and washing hands is standard when doing first aid in a school. About all I expect to be different is that other PPE such as a mask and, if necessary, an apron will be worn.

@IWouldLikeToKnow

They would seriously expect a five year old to be able to clean up their own cuts? Or call the parents to come in and deal with it? That's the most ridiculous rule I've seen yet.

O know schools who do this for toileting accidents in reception so it wouldn't surprise me

@FlySheMust

Life is inherently unsafe, its unfortunate, but we just need to get back to normal now.

Good luck with trying to do that. Ridiculous.Your way means a resurgence of the virus.

It hasn't gone away. Only a fool would think of going back to normal.

Yes, there probably will be a resurgence of the virus -a virus which is no threat at all to the vast majority of the population.

We really can't carry on like this - the cost/benefit analysis just isn't holding any more.

I feel so very fortunate that my oldest is not due to start until 2021. Unless all this is well and truly behind us by then, I won't be enrolling her at all. I really feel for parents of those due to start this year or those who have missed most of reception. All the glass half full thinking in the world does nothing to make this a good situation for them.

Yes, there probably will be a resurgence of the virus -a virus which is no threat at all to the vast majority of the population.

And to hell with the vulnerable? Too many deaths already.

Fortunately the powers that be have more empathy than you. The "vast majority" are going to have to suck it up to protect the rest of the population.

Decent people don't mind doing that.

Sorry I haven't read the full thread but didn't want to read and run. I'm a year 1 LSA and this is the complete opposite to how we are going to be operating! The reception children moving up to year 1 will have only experienced half a year in school, because of this we are introducing continuous provision (I'm sure this has come from the government and will be standard in all primary schools) and have completely changed our classroom to resemble that of a reception class. Free flow round the room in the different learning areas and 2 small focus groups led by an adult. It is impossible to socially distance the younger years and can be more damaging to their mental health. Staff will also do any first aid. I'm really surprised at how differently schools are interpreting the guidance.

@FlySheMust

Yes, there probably will be a resurgence of the virus -a virus which is no threat at all to the vast majority of the population.

And to hell with the vulnerable? Too many deaths already.

Fortunately the powers that be have more empathy than you. The "vast majority" are going to have to suck it up to protect the rest of the population.

Decent people don't mind doing that.

We can't continue to make policy based on edge cases.

No matter how much frothing the Left continue to do, it's just not a viable long term option.

No matter how much frothing the Left continue to do, it's just not a viable long term option.

And yet the left and right say it will continue well into next year. Maybe 2 more years for social distancing and masks. That's how it has to be.

Fair enough, complain all you like. It will change nothing. This is how it's going to be.

@FlySheMust

No matter how much frothing the Left continue to do, it's just not a viable long term option.

And yet the left and right say it will continue well into next year. Maybe 2 more years for social distancing and masks. That's how it has to be.

Fair enough, complain all you like. It will change nothing. This is how it's going to be.

Are you really suggesting that the modern phenomenon of populist government is a good thing? Irrespective of what is actually going to result in the best outcome for the country as a whole?

Anyway, I disagree. There is a lot more common sense coming from the CMOs recently. The current trend of pandering to the ignorant masses isn't going to be here to stay.

That SOUNDS MENTAL!!!!! Hopefully after a week they’ll realise it’s u manageable and give up with all that nonsense! Like they would sit and watch a kid bleed and not help them while waiting for a parent!!

Schools are opening, children are going back. They will be learning, in slightly different ways, but not much is changing. Some schools possibly haven't shared all the changes they are making in the schools, and just letting parents know what time and where to drop off, and what their child needs to bring. Doesn't really matter whether they need to walk down a corridor or not to a parent or a child. Doing activities at their desk rather than on the carpet, not that bad.

If classes are allowing free flow, then if there is a positive case in that class then it might make it more likely that the bubble bursts as they will be unable to identify contacts. If children are sat at their desks when inside much easier to identify contacts, bearing in mind schools are meant to keep a continuous record of anyone who is closer than 2m to someone else for more than 15 minutes. In that instance if a child tests positive then first step would be to identify all contacts and ask them to self isolate.

That is why teachers are meant to be staying 2m in front of everyone at the front of the class, in the hope they don't need to self isolate. Carpet time normally involves children crowded round the teacher with the ones closest to the teacher either stroking or licking them!

Teachers will be making it fun.

We can't continue to make policy based on edge cases

Edge cases? Fucking hell. That’s every person of BAME origin, the over 50s, anyone with cancer, type 1 and 2 diabetics, people with varying respiratory conditions etc. etc. etc Many of these people are also teaching your children.

@madcatladyforever There needs to be some common sense for gods sake. If I was called off my ward to put a plaster on my child I'd go ballistic. Do you think all the NHS is the same? At my local surgery you are lucky if they will speak to you on the phone. The surgery is locked and if you manage to get in they are in full gear, aprons, gloves, masks, vizors, scrubs. My NHS dentist is much the same. The idea that all NHS staff are dealing with covid and are all having lots of contact with lots of patients is a fantasy. Let's face it you aren't in an overcrowded room with 30 teenagers for an hour at a time and dealing with maybe six groups a day. I bet your ward has a bit more space and not an hourly change of patients.

I totally get what you are saying OP, children adapt to all sorts of awful things in life and it comes out in later poor mental health. As parents we have a responsibility to push back against some of these more draconian rules that Individual headteachers are implementing. How many people passed away today in the uk due to covid that was under 60 , 1 !

This is mumsnet so i am surprised that women are not more worried about loss of jobs / income if they have to leave work to stick a plaster on, thats as well as take time off when your child has a slight temp / cold to quarantine until they have a negative covid test. Believe me, employers wont be employing mums with school age kids if they have single males applying for the same job in the biggest economic recession in three hundred years

But these guide lines are retraining children's brains in a negative way. It's taking the team work out and the comfort out. Ofcourse children won't necessarily notice things. But I think it's quite sad that the kids won't be sitting in groups or having storytime on the carpet. They won't be doing experiments in groups and can't even have any contact with another child. To me that's how you learn and settle.

I would be gutted too if any of this was happening at DS's school. I think your reaction is totally reasonable. DC have both been at nursery throughout this with no SD at all and DC1 is going into Recpetion. The transition from nursery to Reception is big anyway. If it meant suddenly going from playing with friends, sitting together, and learning through play as he has been to sitting alone, no touching, desks all day all facing forward I would be seriously worried about the impact on him and I am mightily relieved none of this is happening.

I would be de-registering

That doesn’t reflect my children’s experience at school at all though. Yes they’re more careful about movement around the school and the class but from what my two are saying their experience of the school and classroom is very positive with staff still caring for them as they always did.

My sense is it’ll look very different in practice from the written descriptions - teachers are professionals and know how to work with and support young children in their learning. I’d take specific concerns back to the school but the return so far has been well managed from what I can see.

A much bigger issue is parents hanging around the school gate making it harder for children to physically get into school.

Does everyone remember worrying about how school would be like in June, and most parents on here said how much their children enjoyed it. It will be the same in September.

It sounds worse on paper. The kids don't care what door they go in, and I can't say I have a problem with them not touching each other. Maybe we can go 6 months without one bringing home head lice.

I wish my youngest school was taking it as seriously. They sound on it and managing it very well. I’d take it as a good indication that your school is generally well managed.

Kids are more flexible than us. It is okay for them not to hold hands and hug - they can do other things like pretend hugs and move around - it can be all a game!

Don’t worry. Your kids will be fine and well looked after by the sound of it.

They need to do what they can to make it as safe as poss.
Damned if you do and if you don't.
My kids loved getting back for a few weeks, just be positive about it. Better than the alternative of not going back at all.

I dont get how 4 weeks ago they couldn't wear school uniform and had to have freshly washed clothes everyday and PE In same clothes and in a class of 11 and now they are classes of 30 wearing the same blazer everyday? Weve had no guidance on what will happen but DC is starting secondary school.

However he is back at his sports which is allowed with children from different bubbles so not sure if that's been considered.

Does everyones child have to have packed lunches ?