To think play dates are not allowed?

[SuperSue77]

Just had a message from the Dad of a boy in my son’s class asking him for a play date tomorrow. He’s never been asked by this boy before As ordinarily I would have gratefully accepted and been pleased - but surely this is not allowed under lockdown rules? They are in a class bubble at school, but I didn’t think that allowed them to visit a friend’s house. AIBU to refuse, nicely, for that reason?

Nope no household mixing at the moment

Right now - they're not regardless of their sharing a school bubble. I think if your area is going into tier 1 next week then it would be? Tier 2+3 still not allowed next week. It's irrelevant if the kids are in the same school bubble because the family of the play date child is not in a bubble with your dc.

You really must refuse.

No, not allowed sadly. I understand why people think it might be, as they are in the same bubble anyway, but obviously the parents aren't in that bubble, so theoretically it could be passed on to them by the visiting dc.

Not allowed but I understand why people do it and wouldn’t kick up a fuss with the parent about the rules, just a “we can’t” will suffice

Technically it's not allowed, but as they're in the same bubble at school and lockdown ends in three days, I can't say I'd be that fussed personally.

vanilla unless you live in one of the very few tier 1 areas it still won't be allowed next week

Not allowed unless it is required childcare and you are in a childcare bubble.

During lockdown you can't. If you go into tier 1 you can but they are supposed to still distance from each other/the other family.

If the playdate is being proposed after your area will be in tier 1, then it is allowed.

Playdates aren't allowed currently, but according not my children, everyone is doing them at the moment..

play dates are allowed, now and in all tiers, a child can meet another child in a public place for outdoor recreation. They cannot meet indoors, or in a private garden (other than tier 1) and they cannot be directly supervised of course, but two eight year olds could meet in the local park and play.

Obviously, if you're not comfortable with children not being constantly supervised then it doesn't work, but you can walk together to the park, leave them to play and then walk them home later. That is all within the law of all tiers and the current lock down.

We have play dates in the park and on the playground all the time, just not indoors unfortunately. My child does not care, he loves being outside. Some of the parks have cafes for a coffee to take away or just take a flask x

"Meeting with someone
You can meet with 1 person from another household in a public outdoor place like a park or town square – for example for exercise. You can’t take anyone else from your household to meet them – except for a child under 5."

FYI, my child is not even 2 yet.

@sirfredfredgeorge playdates outside are only currently allowed if your child is under school age.

Thanks everyone. I mentioned lockdown and he immediately agreed we wouldn’t do it! We’re going into tier 2 so not allowed then either ☹️ Just wanted to be sure I wasn’t being awkward!

@Cutesbabasmummy

And 8 year old could meet an 8 year old in the playground to play- that’s exercising.

Parent could watch from afar I guess!

It’s sad, but it’s against the rules. For once it really helps to be a working parent as the DC get a ‘play date’ at childminder’s after school. Wow - a reverse of working mother guilt

@OverTheRainbow88 yes you are correct!

DS1 met one friend outside today to exercise. They had to be away from me, but that’s fine by them as I’m very embarrassing.

Play dates outside will be allowed under tier 2. If weather is nice and a playground appeals to the dc.

@likeafishneedsabike

Ha, so true - my DD will be at school on her birthday. We’re going into Tier 3 so no proper celebrations at all, not even a meal out, so I’m going to send some party bags into school for her and her bubble friends to open at after school club (there’s only about 6 of them there) - it’s the closest she’ll get to a party this year - definitely one plus side of being a working mum!

Seeing as they are at school together I would be fine with it..no doubt breaching the "you shall not have fun rule" but..

For those saying to just break it as the kids are together at school anyway , this is why we are continuing to be in lockdown. Can I go to my colleagues house then as we work together anyway?

this is why we are continuing to be in lockdown really we’re in lockdown because of primary school play dates? I thought it was because of wanker adults not being able to distance in a pub and the masses eating out to help out!

@BewareTheBeardedDragon

vanilla unless you live in one of the very few tier 1 areas it still won't be allowed next week

There was no mention that the playdate was going to be inside, though.

You could have a playdate in the garden or at the park.