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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Friend claiming to be key worker

284 replies

lockdownrules · 22/12/2020 23:51

So my friend and her husband work but aren't key workers. Here in Scotland after Christmas nurseries and schools closed unless key workers.
She says she's been told she can still send child to nursery so the nursery is lying for her and claiming she's a key worker to get place. It's a council nursery.
AIBU to be annoyed my child can't get a place. My husband is a key worker but I'm not but wfh full time with a toddler and my nursery say no place! Obviously I'm just jealous but it's so unfair some can play the system like this

OP posts:
Nymeriastark1 · 22/12/2020 23:51

What does she do?

sweetkitty · 22/12/2020 23:52

Yes it’s annoying. I’m a teacher and last lockdown we had parents lie to get their children into hubs and some that needed it get turned away Sad

FestiveChristmasLights · 22/12/2020 23:53

Childcare venues should be checking.

1Morewineplease · 22/12/2020 23:54

It's awful and I feel for you.

HeddaGarbled · 22/12/2020 23:55

Council run nursery is lying for no reason? Why would they? Are you sure you’ve got your facts right?

DisgruntledPelican · 22/12/2020 23:57

They should be checking. Our nursery have asked us to bring proof of key worker status from 11 Jan (closed until then).

BlueThistles · 22/12/2020 23:57

I'm sure they check

NovemberR · 22/12/2020 23:58

Our school required proof of employment.

scrivette · 23/12/2020 00:00

What makes you so sure she isn't a key worker?

My brother and I had words over this during lockdown as I was classed as a keyworker and my place of work provided the letter of confirmation, however he didn't think that I was
as he thought he knew what I did.

FoxyTheFox · 23/12/2020 00:00

The definition of what is a key worker is fairly broad, the Scottish government have some examples on their website of what constitutes a key worker so its possible your friend and her husband fit into one of those categories.

CeibaTree · 23/12/2020 00:02

I don't understand why the nursery are saying no to your husband's key worker status - do both parents have to be key workers for a place now? And why is the nursery lying for your frIend, as in what's in it for them?

VanGoghsDog · 23/12/2020 00:03

I'm a key worker according the the govt. Mainly I fiddle with PowerPoint all day so I don't feel very key. The definition is very wide.

FoxyTheFox · 23/12/2020 00:04

It may also be the case that their child is eligible to attend for other reasons rather than having keyworker parents? For example, vulnerable children are still allowed to attend.

Nicknacky · 23/12/2020 00:05

What’s her job role?

1stMrsFatherChristmas · 23/12/2020 00:06

Or her child is vulnerable for some reason that she doesn't want t to share with you?

BackforGood · 23/12/2020 00:07

So what do they do ?
I know people initially think of front line medical staff, then move on to people like supermarket staff, lorry drivers and teachers and other school staff, but there are actually lots of people that work behind the scenes to keep things running who have been classed as key workers (for example, people that work in utilities and media and keeping broadband going, etc etc)

lockdownrules · 23/12/2020 00:08

She's told me they aren't key workers. The nursery know their occupations She's just friends with the staff and they sorted it!
It's called playing the system.
I can't get nursery as both parents need to be key workers to qualify.
She's proud as punch! Think she told me to annoy me as knew I struggled so much last time. If it only for a week it will be fine. I think it's going to be much longer sadly and not sure I have the strength to do it all again.

OP posts:
VashtaNerada · 23/12/2020 00:09

Do both parents have to be key workers for a place now? That was always the rule, wasn’t it? Keyworker places are for children who cannot be cared for at home because every adult is an active keyworker.

VashtaNerada · 23/12/2020 00:10

(Not saying I agree with the system btw! Many non-keyworkers are equally busy)

Nymeriastark1 · 23/12/2020 00:11

@lockdownrules

She's told me they aren't key workers. The nursery know their occupations She's just friends with the staff and they sorted it! It's called playing the system. I can't get nursery as both parents need to be key workers to qualify. She's proud as punch! Think she told me to annoy me as knew I struggled so much last time. If it only for a week it will be fine. I think it's going to be much longer sadly and not sure I have the strength to do it all again.
Well you're not really friends then are you. Drop her.
lockdownrules · 23/12/2020 00:12

Banking and admin roles. Not key workers.

OP posts:
lockdownrules · 23/12/2020 00:12

Not a vulnerable child. No special needs.

OP posts:
BilboBercow · 23/12/2020 00:12

Banking staff are key workers

Nicknacky · 23/12/2020 00:13

Are they both working out of home?

BlueThistles · 23/12/2020 00:14

aren't bank staff all working from home ?

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