Please help me understand the rules and what to do

[Landofsmiles]

Year 2 child school bubble has closed from a positive case. My child has no symptoms but now has to isolate. Reception child can still go to school but I can only take them if my Year 2 can come on the school run with me as they're too young to be left alone. Is this allowed?

I picked up the younger DC still at school for a friend when her oldest had to isolate, and dropped him at home. Does your DC at school have friends whose parents might be able to do this for you?

Failing all that, just take dc1 along with you.

It's only four days until Easter weekend - I'd just keep them both off tbh.

Our school let the children whose sibling has to isolate come in 10 minutes later then others and leave 15 minutes earlier at the end of the day. A teacher collects the child from parents car parked outside the school.

I don't know why but this thread has really, really bothered me. It is fucking shit how impossible this all is.

We are a year into this and there is no help to actually support the children to get to school in this scenario. I don't know what I think there should be but it is just logistical nightmare and logistical nightmare for working parents. The rules should allow for this scenario. It is unacceptable that the only way to get a child to school who you are legally required to ensure attends school is to break the covid laws with regard to the other one isolating.

I made a thread about this in corona virus group when it happened to me and was told it was shocking that I had no one to do the school run for 2 weeks 🤷‍♀️ (Back when the isolation period was 2 weeks) so I guess most people have people that can do it for them. I’ve had to keep all mine home each time I’m not going to next time after reading this thread I’m just going to bring them in later since it’s acceptable.

@Happycat1212

I made a thread about this in corona virus group when it happened to me and was told it was shocking that I had no one to do the school run for 2 weeks 🤷‍♀️ (Back when the isolation period was 2 weeks) so I guess most people have people that can do it for them. I’ve had to keep all mine home each time I’m not going to next time after reading this thread I’m just going to bring them in later since it’s acceptable.

Oh, yes, in MN land there's a load of 'surely' - you have money, legion of people who can do a school run, resources, etc.

Plenty don't.

So take the child to school with the isolating one.

I've asked the school to help. I can't drop the younger one 10 mins later as I'd then be late for my 9am meeting tomorrow morning. Earlier drop off could be better if they're willing to do that or have a teacher meet us at the gate. I don't really know the other parents yet as the kids only switched school in January so most of their time there has been virtual except the last couple of weeks.

diwrnachoflleyn

Yep I’m a Lone parent, I have people that can get them in an emergency but not commit to doing the school run pick up and drop off for 2 weeks but people were horrified! That’s a massive ask for anyone to do but not on MN!

I would absolutely take the isolating one on the school run. It’s not as if they actually have covid themselves. Just do it, keep away from other people, Don’t make a fuss about it and highlight the issue - if you keep asking about it they might then say no.
It’s bad enough that one of your children has to miss school - the other shouldn’t have to miss as well just due to logistics.

How about using common sense?
Do you really trust Matt Hancock to rule over every tiny aspect of life?

Why can't you leave year 2 child car for 5 mins? She's not a baby

Your local authority is required to provide support if you are isolating, to enable you to isolate, which obviously must include getting non-isolating children to school - most of them have a phone number of online form to fill out

e.g.
www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/community/covid-19/request-support-for-vulnerable-residents/?civica.ws=1

It's unlikely that they'll be particularly useful, but recording the phone call of them saying you should take an isolating child out of the home illegally may be enough to challenge the fine you'd get for it.

@Clymene

Why can't you leave year 2 child car for 5 mins? She's not a baby

Because 5 mins is enough time for something to happen. She's not a baby but she's 6 years old so not exactly streetwise either. But mostly because I just don't feel comfortable with it and would only be doing it because I felt I had no choice not because I was ok with it.

We have new joiners into DS2’s reception class this term. I know we’d all rally round a collect a non-isolating DC for that mother if needed!

@Sadsiblingatsea

How about using common sense? Do you really trust Matt Hancock to rule over every tiny aspect of life?

No I don't trust him with that obviously but I also don't fancy a fine when the school inevitably reports me bringing her onto the school grounds.

I know you have a new job, but you do have to be flexible somewhere on your part if the school will help. If it's a later drop off it's better than having to keep both at home.l mean this kindly but if they are ok with you taking your isolating child, you need to bend to what they want and let your work know.

Can’t you drive into the teacher car park or something so not to be as far away from the car as long? Failing that, you may need to accept compromise such as being late to your 9am meeting or keeping both kids off or something, it’s just a normal part of the parenthood/work balance unfortunately! Frustrating as it is your work may just have to support you with it.

Honestly, I would just bundle them both in the car and park as close to the school as you can where you can see the car. I would then either leave the eldest in the car and quickly pop the other one through the gates and go straight off or look out for a friendly parent passing by and ask if they could escort your child into school.

We were allowed to use the staff car park in this situation, we could leave the isolating child in the car (in full view at all times) and drop the sibling off at the office then pick them up from the office at the end of the day. There were lots of parents in the same situation.

What do you imagine will happen to her @Landofsmiles?

Anyway let assume the children's ages were reversed, I'm sure you could find someone to meet your child at your car and deliver them to school. I'd be happy to.