To think the nursery aren’t being safe?

[justkeepskipping]

My son started nursery for the first time last week.

It’s took me ages to pick the nursery and I was really happy with my choice.

Last week I was allowed into the room for my sons first settling in session. I had to mask up and sanitise.

I was surprised I was allowed in, but also really glad as I didn’t like the idea of handing my son over to a complete stranger, especially as he’s never been left with anyone before.

After the first session I then had to only drop him
at the gate and he was collected by a member of staff.

I was talking to a friend and she said it was really bad the nursery had even let me in and pointed out that other parents will be around my son when they do their settling in sessions.

I’m starting to feel really uneasy about it now.

I am an anxious person and don’t know if I’m just being over the top.

I really do like the nursery but starting wonder how safe they are.

They haven’t had a Covid case amongst staff of children since October.

I know they have good cleaning procedures in place and the staff don’t mix between rooms.

Obviously other parents at the nursery must be okay with this, so am I just being picky?

Ignore your friend , settling in sessions are the right things to do for the kids , you got your chance and others need there’s . There won’t be new kids starting everyday anyway and the risk is minimal

It is normal to feel worried about them starting nursery. As someone who has a child in nursery, I would be totally find with parents going in for settling in sessions. It's really important and the risks in early years settings is miniscule.

Doing anything new that slightly increases your exposure to others is very stressy for everyone initially.
Just keep doing what you need to do, and your anxiety levels will go down in time, as you get used to things.
You need to work, and your DC will benefit from mixing with others at nursery. It will be a great benefit to him/her.
It will be ok.

I’m so sorry your struggling op but my DD has just started nursery, 3 full days from today actually so her settling in sessions were the last 2 weeks and I was not allowed into any 1 of them so I had to pass my dd 8mo off to a complete stranger. They have called and sent messages, pics, I can call whenever I like but it’s been really hard not even being able to see where she sleeps when she has her naps, where she eats her breakfast and lunch, where she plays at least you have that and with you having had that time, at least you know what other parents have to do in your nursery to keep the kids safe that’s a positive maybe? Also as another pp said, it’s not new kids every day so that’s something to take away from it too. This whole year has been crap but at least now they are having time with other people, other kids, learning new things everyday that’s great after everything we’ve been through at least they can have some time with other people. I would tell your friend her comments are not helpful and right now are unwanted at the minute. We’ll get there @justkeepskipping your little one will be having a ball, try not to worry about that

My husband said this to me, he’s happier that I was able to go with our son instead of just sending him in alone.

It’s just the doubts that start creeping In after and I start overly worrying.

I sympathise but I do agree with others that you just have to trust them. They’re professionals and it sounds like they are operating well within the guidance. Nothing’s 100% without risk and obviously they’ve decided the small risk of Covid being transmitted doesn’t outweigh the benefit of settling in sessions for children and parents.

I really don’t think your friend sounds very helpful. Settling your child into nursery can be a pretty anxiety-provoking experience (that was my experience anyway) - you don’t need a friend who undermines your trust in your child’s caregivers.

YABU
The benefit of settling in session, outweighs the very very tiny risk from covid to nursery aged kids.

I wasnt allowed in when my child started nursery last year and it was absolutely awful! I still haven't seen inside the nursery.

DD started nursery in lockdown and we were allowed in for 3 settling in sessions. I’m glad we were.
We now drop at the door but I can’t see what there is to be worried about?

For most people Covid is a mild illness. Even if you get it it doesn’t mean that you will be seriously ill.

It sounds perfectly safe, children are also the lowest risk group.

You need to chill out.

It’s fully within the guidelines.
It’s absolutely needed for the emotional well-being of young children.
You have been happy with the nursery until someone else found fault (with no basis in the guidance, law etc).
I would actually think they handled this well and have managed the balance of needs and risks carefully.
Don’t over think it.
If anyone makes a negative comment again, just say “we’re very happy thanks” and change the subject. Don’t let this take up room in your mind.

@justkeepskipping

I'm sorry you're stressing about sending him in to nursery when you'd rather not. It's understandable & I think even more difficult after this past year when they've probably barely interacted with others outside of your immediate family.

So you have ALL my sympathy.

But... if the staff get Covid from another parent then that increases the children’s risk too!

Your thinking is squiffy!! The staff are FAR more likely to get COVID from their own kids/partners/friend/shopping etc than settling in sessions.

Settling in sessions are the very most teeny tiny increase in risk.

Look after yourself, returning to work & handing DC over to strangers can be incredibly difficult 💐

I wasn't allowed in for a settle, was heart breaking passing him over when he was upset but my older Son already attends so it wasn't too bad. I can see why you would worry but tbh if you had covid, your child likely would too and pass it on regardless.

Lucky you, I was unable to go in for setting in sessions with my boy back in October 2020. He's my 1st child and first time I'd left him with anyone other than my parents. Would have loved to have gone in to reassure him (and myself) in those 1st few sessions. I was able to go in alone for a tour when deciding if this was the nursery of choice but I've still not been inside to see what he's getting up to and rely on hand overs at the door and regular email updates and virtual tours. Needless to say, he got over the tears pretty quickly and settled in himself really well. Now happily toddles in and has a fab time when he is there x

You were allowed in for 1 session, that sounds reasonable. There wont be children starting for the first time every day !

Op your child is not at risk of getting sick from covid. And babies are vanishingly unlikely to pass covid to adults. This is one reason nurseries stayed open. Also thankfully covid rates are now very low.

Nursery starting is stressful at the best of times! I understand anxiety around it. However I think it’s really interesting that people are still this concerned about Covid given the the rates and statistics around children. It’s not a killer disease for the majority of people and rates are currently low. Are people going to feel this way in a year?!?

This is less of a nursery issue and more of a friend issue.

It’s super hard when they start nursery and Covid adds a whole new level.

OP, there will be bad things that happen, but you will cope. Bring your child up to take sensible precautions and sensible risks, to live his life and to confidently cope when things go wrong. Do not overestimate risks or underestimate your ability to cope. Do not bring him up to be afraid of his own shadow. Be a confident mum and grow a confident boy who can safely go and explore the big wide world

I think this sounds reasonable, it’s an unprecedented time and everyone’s doing their best. When DD moved up to the toddler room at her nursery in September they couldn’t settle her so DP and I had to alternate mornings for a week until she was ok. They are following the guidelines as best they can - we’ve had one Covid outbreak in the preschool room but DD’s toddler bubble didn’t catch it, nor did the baby room.