What did your DC's school do if you couldn't get your DC to school as you are too unwell?

[UndertheCedartree]

Just posting here for traffic.

If you are a single parent and have been in a situation that you were still ill to get your DC to school what did school do? I will probably be in this situation next week. This happened once prior to Covid and some of the pastoral care teachers came and picked my DD up. It happened once recently and they suggested she stay at home and do online learning. That was fine as I had twisted my ankle and couldn't put any weight on it but I could help with online learning. However this time I have Covid and will not be able to do online learning with her.

If you've got covid though surely she shouldn't be in. She isn't vaccinated, surely she's just going to take it to school with her

No, this is exactly what the government has said must not happen. In england children havent had to isolate when parents are, they need to continue attending school. Failing to do so is unauthorized absence which schools are keen to minimise.

If you're well enough for mumsnet posts then you're well enough to do some basic care of your child, including reading and setting a writing exercise. A neighbour with a child at the same school would be the best option to help, so any of your neighbours use the school?

It’s still a couple of days til schools go back - you may be well enough for online learning then, even if she misses the first couple of days.
Or use the class WhatsApp to see if anyone can assist if they go past your place to school etc

Just ask one of the kids friends if they could get a lift?

@DeepaBeesKit

If you've got covid though surely she shouldn't be in. She isn't vaccinated, surely she's just going to take it to school with her

No, this is exactly what the government has said must not happen. In england children havent had to isolate when parents are, they need to continue attending school. Failing to do so is unauthorized absence which schools are keen to minimise.

No wonder it’s running rampant to be honest.

This happened to me, DD in year one primary, school were bloody awful and basically told me it was my duty to make sure she was in school or they would need to contact an education officer. I was shocked and less than impressed.

I’d be happy to drive another kid to school for a day or two right now if their parent had to self isolate, I’ve just had Covid so wouldn’t be bothered about them potentially passing it on. I don’t understand why you’d be expecting to be bedbound for a long time though?

Also, did they come and pick her up before because your ankle was injured or because you had a sickness bug? You’ve said both in your posts. Or have they done that twice already?

I work in a school, have never heard of the school collecting children for ill parents. That could be a full time job!

Most parents ask other parents/friends/family/a taxi to do it for them. Surely you can make your own arrangements with a few days notice?

Our school definitely wouldn't do anything, they'd expect you to try and find another parent who could help.

It would be lovely for schools to do this, and some of you are really lucky to have experienced it. The reality is that many schools are woefully understaffed! And frankly it’s the responsibility of parents to get their kids to school.

When mine were at primary they had (and probably still do) a walking bus.
Get them to the pre arranged pick up points and two members of staff walk the kids to school, complete with little high vis jackets. Quite cute actually.

I’m a single parent, no family around (hundreds of miles away), friends all live 3 towns over (in the naice areas).

When I had a sick bug, they authorised the absence - which was a good idea being as DDs started with it the next day. (Y6 and Y1).

As I work full time, I don’t know any school parents, as I drop/pick mine up from wrap around care. So building a network of school parents isn’t an option for me.

@Icantrememberthenameoftheartis

This happened to me, DD in year one primary, school were bloody awful and basically told me it was my duty to make sure she was in school or they would need to contact an education officer. I was shocked and less than impressed.

This isn’t the school’s decision - it’s their legal duty! Your anger should be directed at government policy.

I'm still bed bound. It's touch and go if the DC will be able to go anyway
there is the possibility it could be for quite a long time.

How long have you been been bedbound and how you managing continence and shopping/meals etc? Do you mean actually 'bedbound' or you feel really shitty and spending most time in bed? Is she an only as you've said 'the dc'.

No expectation that we had to do online learning when we had Covid. DS was asymptomatic but DH and I were ill and it was fully recognised we would not be able to support learning. DS basically just lolled in his onesie and watched CBeebies whilst DH and I took it in turns to sleep.

We live in a close knit community and school would absolutely help collect child and drop home if there was no one else to do it. It's happened on several occasions in my local area.

Could the 9yo walk the presumably familiar route alone ? Ask a kind neighbour ? Or as others have said failling all else a taxi ? Come on OP where there is a will..

It’s impossible for anyone to answer. It will vary so wildly from school to school. My primary would not have the staffing resources to pick a child up (and I’d imagine staffing will be even more under pressure in the New Year). We would expect the parent to be responsible for getting their child into school by asking other parents/taxis etc. Just like you are responsible for not neglecting them on other ways!

Why do people think it's unfair for a teacher to pick them up, but fine to ask another parent? Maybe OP doesn't have another parent who is willing to do it. I'm not saying the school staff should have to do this, but other parents have no obligation to help either.

Single parent here
I just went on class watsapp group
And loads offered

@PartyPrawnRingGames

Why do people think it's unfair for a teacher to pick them up, but fine to ask another parent? Maybe OP doesn't have another parent who is willing to do it. I'm not saying the school staff should have to do this, but other parents have no obligation to help either.

Do you not see the difference between asking a teacher and a parent?

No one has said that anyone has an obligation to do anything

@Neurodiversitydoctor

Could the 9yo walk the presumably familiar route alone ? Ask a kind neighbour ? Or as others have said failling all else a taxi ? Come on OP where there is a will..

Exactly

Perhaps a recent single parent

Because as a long time single parent here…. These kind of events are two a penny