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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think closing nurseries would be disastrous?

455 replies

Purgatory2021 · 11/01/2021 09:44

I'm seeing it discussed left right and centre, my post was prompted by television this morning.

For many reasons (none selfish) I think it would be disastrous, but the one that stands out to me the most is people's ability to work.

I'm sure there will be plenty of nurses/HCP's/important key workers who rely on nursery to be able to do their jobs.

Not everybody has family that can step in.

Older primary aged children and secondary age children can fend for themselves to a degree if push came to shove, but you can't do the same with toddlers and babies.

OP posts:
Same4Walls · 11/01/2021 14:51

@SoRuff63

But please please please if you are: * on maternity leave, *are fortunate enough to be a stay at home parent, *are furloughed *or can make arrangements for your child to be cared for at home - THEN JUST DO IT. There are too many children attending nurseries who don’t need to be there.
But as I've said repeatedly. Nurseries need to have as many children in as possible to remain financially viable. By removing a huge portion of the children many wont be able to afford to stay open.
FoxtrotSkarloey · 11/01/2021 14:55

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 11/01/2021 14:56

@peak2021

Boris Johnson has a child about to be of nursery age. Makes it much less likely, especially as Keir Starmer has suggested it be reviewed.

I'd start first by changing from children of key workers going into school to a narrower definition, and only if both parents fit a narrower definition (or a lone parent does).

As has already been explained... that's not a solution because often the 'key worker' is the lower paid of a couple & very few couples will (or would be able) to have the higher earner take unpaid leave or resign to provide childcare, so we lose an essential nurse or other truly essential key worker. I think it needs to be 'case by case'with parents applying for a place stating their reasons.

IF a couple has a much higher earner & if they can afford it, paying a bit more would be a decent thing to do. IF it's affordable.

Thefaceofboe · 11/01/2021 14:59

Certainly not disastrous for the staff who have to work in them.

MarshaBradyo · 11/01/2021 15:00

@Thefaceofboe

Certainly not disastrous for the staff who have to work in them.
Unless the nursery goes out of business because it’s no longer viable
WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 11/01/2021 15:01

@Same4Walls

I just wish some people weren't sending their kids in when they don't absolutely need the childcare (or the children are very vulnerable etc).

The trouble is many nurseries need a these children in to be able to cope financially. Taking a huge proportion of these children out of nursery will likely mean they have to shut their doors to everyone including keyworker and vulnerable children.

No I think the Govt should top them up so they can stay viable
Same4Walls · 11/01/2021 15:01

@Thefaceofboe

Certainly not disastrous for the staff who have to work in them.
Well I it would be pretty disastrous for the staff if they closed and didn't reopen at all.
Same4Walls · 11/01/2021 15:02

No I think the Govt should top them up so they can stay viable

It's a lovely thought, but it's just not likely to happen.

minimonkey11 · 11/01/2021 15:04

Why is schools closing ok but nurseries closing ‘disasterous’! My kids aren’t able to be left alone yet they can’t go to school and I have to work fulltime at home. Nurseries should be keyworker kids only too.

Heartlantern2 · 11/01/2021 15:06

The government would never do that. What do you think has happened to lots of venues and wedding suppliers? -Gone mostly.

Same4Walls · 11/01/2021 15:06

@minimonkey11

Why is schools closing ok but nurseries closing ‘disasterous’! My kids aren’t able to be left alone yet they can’t go to school and I have to work fulltime at home. Nurseries should be keyworker kids only too.
Because for wjat feels like the 1 millionth time nurseries are businesses. They cannot afford to open to a handful of keyworker and vulnerable children nor can the government force them to do so. Closing nurseries will massively impact keyworkers.
Heartlantern2 · 11/01/2021 15:07

The difference is nurseries are not government funded. So it’s a problem for the owners of the nursery, but that doesn’t make your points invalid either to be fair.

AsMuchUseAsAMarzipanDildo · 11/01/2021 15:07

We found an au pair before the start of the 2nd wave when this current situation was inevitable.

JFC....

MarshaBradyo · 11/01/2021 15:08

@minimonkey11

Why is schools closing ok but nurseries closing ‘disasterous’! My kids aren’t able to be left alone yet they can’t go to school and I have to work fulltime at home. Nurseries should be keyworker kids only too.
Have you wfh with a toddler? What type of work and how many hours
Backbee · 11/01/2021 15:10

Are nurseries going to stop charging for those who stop sending them in? I doubt it. Why would someone pay £1k in some cases to then struggle balancing everything at home on top.

tatutata · 11/01/2021 15:14

I earned more than my husband. On the last lockdown our 3 small children (ages 2-7) needed something every 20 minutes. Did my husband jump off his calls? Did he fuck. Do I still have a job? Hahaha, do I fuck. So yes, by all means let's close all childcare. And lose our own jobs and all the Nursery/childminder jobs. But hey, it's for everyone's safety. Fuck this shit, fuck the whole bullshit narrative that pretends safety is free.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 11/01/2021 15:15

@GoldenPoppy

I'm a nursery nurse whos tested positive this morning, I caught it from a child. A child whos parents are both furloughed who came in with a cough and smelling of calpol. I'm almost 50 and just missed the shielding list, I am terrified.
(((HUGS)))

I'm so sorry & I'd be terrified too.

What selfish bastards. People like that should be punished in some way, but no idea how, and it doesn't help you right now...but it might deter others from being such wankers.

Rest, take vitamins, eat nutritious food & keep the room ventilated. Order an oximeter & thermometer if you don't already have them. Call for help as soon as you feel you need it, don't wait.

Do you have another adult at home with you?

I am so sorry these idiots have caused you to be in this situation xx

NigellasGuest · 11/01/2021 15:17

Does anyone have any idea about when there might actually be an announcement about Nurseries?

Tiquismiquis · 11/01/2021 15:17

I have one 1 year old and one child in reception. While working from home with both of them is neigh on impossible, there is a far greater need for the one year old to be in childcare than the older one to be in school. There is a basic safety issue at play with the little one. The older one can be reasoned with and isn’t unsafe being left in front of the tv. The baby is. Nursery is a much smaller bubble and has much stricter hygiene than school in our case.

Liverbird77 · 11/01/2021 15:19

I think they need to close.
My two year old was meant to be starting today but it was delayed because of staffing issues.
I've just emailed to ask if he can now delay until mid April, subject to the Covid situation being more under control then.
It's awful. He needs to socialise.
I also have a five month old breast fed baby, so it's hard work. I have to put his health, and that of our family, first though.
The situation is serious.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 11/01/2021 15:19

@GoldenPoppy

We have been told that we have to take the parents at their word, if they say the child is fine then they are fine. We now have 4 staff from the room tested positive. This parent is very vocal that we should stop testing and thinks its a conspiracy!!
Your management are just as culpable here then!!

Any conspiracist parents shouldn't be allowed a place as they will not be taking any precautions.

WTAF are your management thinking???

B33Fr33 · 11/01/2021 15:20

Key worker children would have a space and it is far easier to distract younger children with an activity for 30 Mins and work than to teach a child something for 30 Mins and to work.

EssentialHummus · 11/01/2021 15:20

I agree with soruff. My wish list:

  • Financial support for nurseries who suffer due to closure so they don't go under
  • Furlough for staff who need it (in all sectors)
  • Nurseries for KWs
  • Tighter KW definitions for nurseries and schools

I'm keeping DD off (while working! and paying! Fun fun fun!) Some friends are doing likewise. Others are sending DC in. Nurseries near me absolutely have cases - what are people expecting when staff have to arrive on public transport and some parents work in supermarkets or hospitals?

NigellasGuest · 11/01/2021 15:21

@Same4Walls

No I think the Govt should top them up so they can stay viable

It's a lovely thought, but it's just not likely to happen.

This won't happen sadly. Most nurseries already receive government funding which doesn't cover their costs, so I can't see the government giving them any more money.

Also, they don't get the full 80% furlough because of the (insufficient) funding already received.

Same4Walls · 11/01/2021 15:21

@B33Fr33

Key worker children would have a space and it is far easier to distract younger children with an activity for 30 Mins and work than to teach a child something for 30 Mins and to work.
I genuinely cannot work out if this is sarcasm...