To think closing nurseries would be disastrous?

[Purgatory2021]

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.

I have a 10 month old and an intensive care Dr DH.
People can go ahead and list every reason under the sun why nursery’s staying open is ‘essential’ but it’s not... it’s just easier and people are fed up.

If half of the people claiming they ‘need’ nursery/school could see the horrific reality of what is happening in the hospitals right now they’d shut up and sit down.

We daren’t go to the supermarket. It’s really bad. It’s worse than last time. Hundreds of people are dying on a daily basis, terrified and alone! STAY HOME they are rolling out vaccines as quickly as they can. For the sake of a few more months stop putting everyone at risk!

@Love2cycle

I'm confused about why people who are clinically vunerable are still going to work when the government advice is telling then to stay at home?

@Love2cycle, not picking on you, but with this level of understanding still out there, almost a year on, it's really not surprising people don't 'get' the need for the restrictions

The people who the Govt are saying to not go to work are the CEV (a now much smaller group, but includes people that have recent transplants, certain cancers etc) the people saying they are CV (are those of us with Diabetes, asthma, heart conditions etc).

They say we can go to work, so we have NO rights re WFH, furlough etc.

Many of us would not do well if we got it, but people can't afford to give up their jobs.

@Pumpertrumper well said.
I can see a case for nursery care for the child of two key workers e.g doctors, but that's about it.
It's a shit situation, but there's no other way

I have a 10 month old and an intensive care Dr DH.

Do you work?

People can go ahead and list every reason under the sun why nursery’s staying open is ‘essential’ but it’s not... it’s just easier and people are fed up

Im pretty sure those posters working in the NHS who need nursery care would disagree with your rather blanket assessment that it's not essential and they only need their child's nursery open because it's 'easier'.

Presumably they very much want to be helping support their colleagues on the front line rather than sitting at home looking after their toddlers but unfortunately that's where they will be if nurseries close.

@Pumpertrumper thank you for saying it like it is. And thank you to your husband for everything he is doing.
It is absolutely terrifying, and I think will get worse before it gets better.

I have a 10 month old and an intensive care Dr DH.
People can go ahead and list every reason under the sun why nursery’s staying open is ‘essential’ but it’s not... it’s just easier and people are fed up.

Do your Dh’ colleagues that need nursery feel the same way. Are you ok if they have to stop work?

Yep, CEV are shielded. CV are not- CV here (heart condition).

Pumpertrumper I think the question above re whether you work is relevant. I don’t doubt it is horrific in ICU and that will have shaped your views but I have also seen posts from ICU nurses on here saying without nurseries, they’d not be working as couldn’t take the financial hit of their partner being unable to do their role.

But children of NHS workers would get key worker places!!

@EarlGreywithLemon

But children of NHS workers would get key worker places!!

Not everyone wants this even see pp

People can go ahead and list every reason under the sun why nursery’s staying open is ‘essential’ but it’s not... it’s just easier and people are fed up

How many times does it have to be explained that many nurseries can’t afford to open for just KWs. They’ll go bust.

@EarlGreywithLemon

But children of NHS workers would get key worker places!!

But the vast majority of nurseries wont stay open for just key worker and vulnerable children because its not financially viable and the government cannot insist on them doing so.

So having a key worker places is great on paper but effectively useless if the nursery is closed.

@TheKeatingFive

How many times does it have to be explained that many nurseries can’t afford to open for just KWs. They’ll go bust.

I thought the point had been sufficiently made but apparently it's still not sinking in. Nurseries are private businesses. I'm amazed so many people don't seem to grasp that they are under no obligation to stay open if they are not making enough money.

I'd be annoyed if Childminder's closed. Ours only serves three families which is one more than the 'childcare bubble' we'd have to create otherwise.

@TheKeatingFive
Yes I work and my mat leave ended at Christmas. It’s a pain in the arse. It feels unfair as it all falls on me but it is what it is. I’ve been lucky enough to agree the use of some annual leave with my employer but I worry for my job security a lot!

@MarshaBradyo
Children from ‘genuine’ two parent key worker families shouldn’t be made provision for.
The list of key workers needs to be clamped down and more clearly defined!

If the list of key workers was scaled back and provision only made for their children then it would be safer for everyone! Fewer childcare staff/teachers required, fewer children attending so less risk of spread.
Some schools around us are currently operating at 75% normal capacity - WHATS THE POINT?!?!

Many of DH’s colleagues are having to call in sick because their kids have picked up temps/bugs/coughs at school or nursery from kids who probably shouldn’t be there in the first place!

but if current restrictions aren't enough then we have to restrict more the restrictions aren't inadequate, compliance is

I’ve been lucky enough to agree the use of some annual leave with my employer but I worry for my job security a lot!

What about people who have no annual leave left to use after this year and are on the verge of losing their income?

Children from ‘genuine’ two parent key worker families shouldn’t be made provision for.

Most nurseries would have to close if they could only cater to those people.

Even if jobs can be done from home, they cannot be done from home with a toddler in tow. So basically we will see families losing incomes, children being plunged into poverty, rising homelessness and so on.

Or families drafting in grandparents for care, which is surely much worse.

Yabu

Yes its inconvenient but the alternative is horrific. People dying needlessly left right and centre as the NHS has collapsed.

If you cant work you have to go on Universal Credit like millions of others .

I did request furlough for medical reasons and was refused. I am not on the shielding list as I missed an appointment that nursery did not allow me to go to. I have only been to work since March, shopping iand parcels are quarantined in the shed and anything that has to come inside is sanitised.
We are not allowed any PPE inside the building. Children are regularly brought in 'a bit warm because teething' or 'just a bit snotty' .
I feel so ill right now, i just want to sleep but I can't sleep because I cant breathe.
I am lying on my front attached to a nebuliser and hoping its enough, I'm so scared.
Children do transmit this virus, nurseries should be made safer.

What about people who have no annual leave left to use after this year and are on the verge of losing their income?

It sucks but it doesn’t make the virus less deadly or give people more right to endanger other people’s lives. I’ve lost half my income long term and no doubt ruined my career. It feels crap but had to be done.

Most nurseries would have to close if they could only cater to those people

The gov should continue to pay all funded places and offer assistance as they did during first lockdown.

@Willyoujustbequiet

Yabu

Yes its inconvenient but the alternative is horrific. People dying needlessly left right and centre as the NHS has collapsed.

If you cant work you have to go on Universal Credit like millions of others .

And how well do you think hospitals etc will operate when thousands of people quit they're jobs?

Given the stats on hospitalisations and deaths, there's no evidence that nurseries are make drivers and they would be even less so if the rest of the rules were adhered to

The gov should continue to pay all funded places and offer assistance as they did during first lockdown.

Plenty closed during first lockdown and didn’t reopen. Do it again and we’re wrecking this sector and women’s role in the workplace for a long time to come.

it sucks but it doesn’t make the virus less deadly or give people more right to endanger other people’s lives.

The data does not indicate nurseries having a considerable role in transmission and healthy under 40s are at more risk from flu than this virus. We need to ensure our response to an admittedly dreadful situation is proportionate.

Everything suggests that closing nurseries would cause immense problems, while not making much material impact on the disease.