Early Years workers - what do you think about staying open in lockdown?

Confusedcabbage · 2021-01-04T21:00:39+00:00

I'm a parent and feel delighted it's staying open. My child is in a small bubble, the nursery have strict rules and processes in place, and I wouldn't be able to look after her and work from home at her age, nor would work out me on furlough. But it's not just about me. If you work in an Early Years setting AIBU? Are you upset by the news or happy you're staying open?

Givemethestrength · 04/01/2021 21:06

My sister works in early years and is gutted they're staying open again, I'd love to actually know why they have to stay open when schools are closing. My DD is 18 months old, walking and into everything but we have to wfh and take care of her because she can't go to my parents as she normally would...but we could put her into my sisters nursery where the risk is greater

Nochangeplease · 04/01/2021 21:08

Scared and worried how my sen child will cope in school

Buddytheelf85 · 04/01/2021 21:09

@Givemethestrength have they stopped childcare bubbles then? I didn’t hear that.

Atalune · 04/01/2021 21:09

Happy they are staying open but feel so sad that the sector is neglected and forgotten time and time again.

It’s early education. Not childcare. And it should be viewed as such.

cate16 · 04/01/2021 21:13

Well, propose built nurseries should be fine as they can operate small safe bubbles - preschools in scout huts /church halls etc are going to be covid breeding grounds!

prettygreenteacup · 04/01/2021 21:14

@Givemethestrength childcare bubbles are still in place.

OverTheRainbow88 · 04/01/2021 21:17

@cate16

preschools in scout huts /church halls etc are going to be covid breeding grounds

I would argue my sons preschool in a huge airy church hall with huge doors open all day which they’ve sectioned off into 4 different bubbles is safer than my youngest tiny baby room in a Nursery

Vieve1325 · 04/01/2021 21:21

As a senior manager in a nursery group, I’m pleased.

Our settings are all purpose built, so although the bubbles have been challenging, we have been able to safely accommodate them and our staff have worked extremely hard to abide by the heightened hygiene and safety practices put in place. I’m glad that we can offer some stability and job security to those who are able to continue to work, but also offer support and temporary alternatives (e.g furlough / revised working hours) for those who need it.

The amount of money we would haemorrhage from shutting again is terrifying, and we would very quickly be looking at permanent closures of some sites.

cate16 · 04/01/2021 21:21

[quote OverTheRainbow88]@cate16

preschools in scout huts /church halls etc are going to be covid breeding grounds

I would argue my sons preschool in a huge airy church hall with huge doors open all day which they’ve sectioned off into 4 different bubbles is safer than my youngest tiny baby room in a Nursery[/quote]
We don't have that luxury, as we only have 3 toilets and sinks which everyone needs to share including staff :(

curlycat · 04/01/2021 22:23

They are closed in Scotland. Only a few open for keyworkers children or vulnerable children

Original poster

Confusedcabbage · 05/01/2021 09:27

@Vieve1325

As a senior manager in a nursery group, I’m pleased.

Our settings are all purpose built, so although the bubbles have been challenging, we have been able to safely accommodate them and our staff have worked extremely hard to abide by the heightened hygiene and safety practices put in place. I’m glad that we can offer some stability and job security to those who are able to continue to work, but also offer support and temporary alternatives (e.g furlough / revised working hours) for those who need it.

The amount of money we would haemorrhage from shutting again is terrifying, and we would very quickly be looking at permanent closures of some sites.

Thanks for this. It's what I had thought but good to hear

OP posts:

Tumbleweed101 · 05/01/2021 10:04

Personally speaking I'm happy that we can stay open. My household has just had Covid so I feel that I've got a degree of protection now from at least a bit of immunity (don't know how true it is but like to believe that!). Staying open means that I wont have to sort out any financial issues - as a single parent we rely on my income. It also means that my day to day life has some normality and structure. I get to see my colleagues and the children.

Less helpful is that my own children will be learning from home but they are both secondary school age so I can leave them at home while i work. I have family close by if they have any problems and my eldest daughter will be home some days. It also means I have to stay away from my mum who is CEV, but I've been doing that anyway.

Some of my colleagues are less happy about staying open though because they have younger children they need to get organised or vulnerable family at home.

Greyhair59 · 05/01/2021 16:38

We are open for all, and if we closed i think it would be for good as the business would be unviable. However one staff member is over 70 and 2 are over 60. Another is much younger but nervous. Personally I am not worried for myself but think it odd that we are open but primary schools are closed, although there seems to be little difference between the two so far as transmission of virus is concerned? And of course no social distancing or ppe with the children. And lets not forget the fact that very few nursery staff are in a union so no "muscle" .

SnackSizeRaisin · 05/01/2021 17:05

Nurseries are private businesses whose staff may well lose their jobs if they are forced to close. Teachers will be paid whether or not schools open and their jobs are secure. That will probably lead to a big difference in opinion on this.

MyChemicalMummy · 05/01/2021 17:15

@Givemethestrength

My sister works in early years and is gutted they're staying open again, I'd love to actually know why they have to stay open when schools are closing. My DD is 18 months old, walking and into everything but we have to wfh and take care of her because she can't go to my parents as she normally would...but we could put her into my sisters nursery where the risk is greater

You can still have a child care bubble.

OverTheRainbow88 · 05/01/2021 17:36

@Greyhair59

However one staff member is over 70 and 2 are over 60.

The ladies at ours over 60 have been furloughed.
Could they ask?

Greyhair59 · 05/01/2021 17:49

We could not open without them

sayanythingelse · 05/01/2021 17:50

Does nurseries staying open refer to private nurseries or school nurseries? Or both?

My DD was due to start nursery at our local primary school today but I rang this morning and they said they're closed but have no idea going forth. I need to ring back tomorrow to see if they will be opening. Genuinely no clue how the whole nursery thing works

IndecentFeminist · 05/01/2021 17:51

My best friend is very happy and relieved to be staying open.

Rosebel · 05/01/2021 17:56

I feel really sorry for them. No idea why they are safer than schools, in fact having worked in a nursery I would say they are less safe. You can't socially distance from a baby and they aren't allowed to wear masks except when talking to parents.
From my point of view it's good they're open so I can work but just drives home how underpaid and underappreciated nursery staff are.

Mispoke · 05/01/2021 17:59

Thank you for asking this OP as I am in the same situation; technically I could look after my 3 YO at home but it would be a struggle. I messaged the nursery manager this morning to ask if her being kept off would allow a staff member to be furloughed should they want this but she said they are such a small setting anyway that it wouldn’t make a difference to staffing numbers. I hope she would tell me honestly if it would be better for the wonderful staff who work there if I took my daughter out. I think DD going makes all the difference to her (and, selfishly, to the whole family - we also have a lockdown baby) so we are going to continue sending her this week and review at the weekend.

Idontbelieveit12 · 05/01/2021 18:00

I have cried today. I am terrified of us being open. Most of the parents who are sending their children are stay at home mums. I just feel like our safety is being disregarded so they can have a few hours peace.

wineandcheeseplease · 05/01/2021 18:02

Petrified.

Robinkitty · 05/01/2021 18:04

I’m not happy about it to be honest

funinthesun19 · 05/01/2021 18:10

My 2 year old who receives the 2 year funding still goes to her very small playgroup. This is absolutely for her benefit - not mine. Even without the virus being around. It’s called early education, not childcare.
This also gives me the opportunity to homeschool two of my older children. My other older child is in school because he has an EHCP.

So to sum up:
I have 1 child in playgroup
I have 1 child in school
I have 2 children at home
I’m not currently working.

All teachers in both playgroup and school are happy for my 2 children to be there.