To think children's centres should be open now

[Overthebow]

In my area none of the children's centres are open, so no baby and toddler play sessions or any in person activities at all. They are running a few online thins and emergency health visitor appointments but nothing else.

AIBU to think they should be open by now seeing as baby groups are allowed in the guidelines? Would I be unreasonable to contact them to ask what's going on and to see what can be done?

It will depend on their set up allowing it safely.

Just before things got mad I started as a volunteer at a library session for parents and babies. However I am also a parent to a CEV child so wouldn’t feel safe going back to that just yet

Places are in quite a difficult position of getting the balance right at the moment

Places still need to be COVID-19 secure. Just because they can legally open doesn't mean they should. I can walk around in just shorts and a tank top during a snowstorm, but probably shouldn't.

@Sirzy I understand that and as a volunteer I wouldn't expect you to do anything you were uncomfortable with. Not all staff are volunteers though so I would have thought the employed staff would be able to run things by now.

There are a lot of vulnerable people who need the support and there is no reason why there can't be some sessions opening, even if there were some outdoor play sessions. It feels as though we have been forgotten about as most other children's activities and schools are open now but there is nothing for the younger children.

I would say it's probably that they're using the staff to do something else like organise testing centres or vaccination buses or whatever rather than because it's not safe. They don't have unlimited money to employ extra staff to do all the Covid related stuff.

@PurBal yes of course and that is why there is guidance for all sectors. Soft play is open now, it wouldn't be much different to that so no reason why they can't operate.

Paid groups are open and have been since 12th April. Yes they absolutely should be open, with covid restrictions and if staffing allows (this would impact some but certainly not all staff!). Ours aren't running anything either.

@KatieKat88 Yes that's what's so annoying, private groups have been open for ages so if you are lucky enough to be able to afford it and manage to get onto the class after the long waiting lists then great. But if not there is nothing.

I just can't see a reason for it now, when guidance has allowed it since April and the wellbeing and support of mums is now crucial after a long year of nothing.

Also if there are good reasons why they can't be open (e.g. staff used elsewhere) fine - communicate this with parents so we know! There is nothing on their social media other than adverts for the odd zoom session here.

Not to mention children's development of course. Babies that were born last year are now so disadvantaged, their entire lives ahve been in lockdown.

It very much depends on their set up and how covid safe they can be.

For example, a group we go to couldn't use the room the used previously due to lack to ventilation so has been using a smaller one. Therefore she has had to cut class sizes to allow all mats to be the correct distance apart. So rather than doing a term, you were allocated 2 classes out of 6.

She is also spending a lot more time cleaning (the mats and surrounding areas between classes) spending more money (so each child has their own bag of things to use during the class, so no sharing)
It's not just a case of cracking on as thing we're pre covid

@KatieKat88 same here, no communication whatsoever. It's so bad, I'm really hoping it's because staff are being used elsewhere for something critical because if not it's pretty disgraceful really.

Definitely not being unreasonable. We’ve just started some classes and my baby has loved them. It’s made me sad he’s missed out.

@MsSquiz The thing is, a lot of the community halls that were used for these are still being used for private baby classes, so it is not a case of no appropriate space. Right now I'd happily accept being allocated a lot once a month even, or maybe they could put on outdoor play sessions and other events.

I think everyone is being too generous. I feel let down by my local children’s centres. They should be supporting us through the most serious mental health and parenting crisis of our generation. Zoom sessions don’t cut it. I am confident your local ones could be running face to face sessions with reduced numbers. I would write a letter of complaint to your council.

It’s my understanding that public sector workers weren’t put on furlough so all the staff have been there the whole time. Outrageous they are still shut (unless you’re in Bolton I guess) with more than 50% of people partially vaccinated and case numbers low.

I very much doubt free or very cheap toddler groups in children's centres will start up again. They have been running them down for years. Groups now are only for invited individuals around here - and to be invited you have to be under SS observation or of concern. The break is likely given them time to reassess.
Also for groups run by volunteers it's likely their own kids have moved on and therefore they will have less interest to run and because the group hasn't run no successor for the role either!

@pjani this is how I feel, completely let down and like we don't matter. I could understand it at the start and in January, but not now since guidance allows it. They've had over a year now to plan how they might re-open and support families, and no online is not good enough.

Development checks aren't happening even now. Which I find appalling. There are vulnerable babies and toddlers out there who may need interventions, and no-one seems to give a damn.

@LittleOwl153 round here there was quite a lot for families pre-covid. Some were volunteer groups at churches but a lot was at the childrens centres and for everyone, not just selected families. I'm really hoping it goes back to this as it's really valued in the community.

I contacted the two local ones to me and it was the same answer that they don't have a date to reopen because of Covid restrictions. Both have got brilliant outdoor space that can be accessed without going into the building that could be used but none of the centre is open.

I completely get why volunteer stay & plays aren't reopening just yet but when it's paid staff who's job it is to run activities, I can't see why they can't have plans in place to open up.

@saraclara Ours are still online. No idea how they can assess development over the phone, they just take your word for it that your baby can do something.

@Chickenlickeninthepot Did they give a reason why covid restrictions won't let them? I'm thinking of contacting mine and linking the guidance which says they can open.

Our local children's centres also have yet to reopen. I'm not entirely sure they could be condenced to only include those referred through social services as a PP suggested as they are predominantly funded by lottery grants with the intention of supporting all of the local community as its an area of high poverty.

I've seen a few people ask for an update on their social media channels but they just give a blanket response which says they are monitoring the situation.

No. Just the usual "Covid restrictions" answer. Disappointing

I've now emailed the council's children centre coordinator so will see if they come back to me.

When professional nurseries, play centres and other baby things are open the covid excuse wears thin. Money, staffing etc is far more likely to be the real answer. What women with young babies have had to deal with this last year is so tough. Surely health visitors are worried too and want them open?