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Covid

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Original poster

Key worker, but don’t want to keep my kids in school

26 replies

AliciaWhiskers · 18/03/2020 17:25

Hearing the latest update, schools are to close from Friday apart from for children of key workers.

I am a key worker, and so is my ExH. We have a roughly 50:50 split of care. He works on days I have the kids, and I work on days he has the kids.

Should I keep the kids at school and keep going with our arrangement, or take them out of school?

Wwyd?

OP posts:

Daffodil101 · 18/03/2020 17:33

Watching because I have the same dilemma. Good for morale to keep them in school, but I’d rather they didn’t catch it.

Flippetydip · 18/03/2020 17:33

I'd keep them in. It's far more beneficial for them to be in school than not I would say. I would keep mine in in a heart beat but I'm not a key worker.

AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 18/03/2020 17:34

I'd send them in. Just to keep in some normality for them.

MsAwesomeDragon · 18/03/2020 17:35

If you can keep them at home between the two of you, I would do that.
They are only keeping schools open for essential workers so those essential workers can get to work.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 18/03/2020 17:35

Would they stay indoors if you didn't keep them at home? If your motivation is to limit their chance of getting it I would have thought going to school would be healthier?

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 18/03/2020 17:35

I would suggest the option for them to attend will be voluntary so it's your decision.

ACupOfTeaSolvesEverything · 18/03/2020 17:39

Keep them home.

Original poster

AliciaWhiskers · 18/03/2020 17:39

DS1 has ASD so there is the theory that it would maintain a normality at school but it might depend on how they work it at school. If they merge classes etc I think that would be harder for him than creating a new normal of being at home.

OP posts:

StigmaLink · 18/03/2020 17:41

I would have them at home. It will be anything but normal at school!

lorisparkle · 18/03/2020 17:43

Schools are currently struggling to stay open due to staffing issues so IMO the fewer children in school the better. The likelihood is they will run a very different timetable and curriculum which would be tricky for your son. So if it was me I would keep them at home. We are setting up a 'home school' timetable for ours to keep routine.

Original poster

AliciaWhiskers · 18/03/2020 17:44

Yes I’ve introduced the idea of a timetable at home. Fresh air, school work, crafts, screen time etc. They were both open to that

OP posts:

LooseGoose29 · 18/03/2020 17:44

I am a TA in a school, my daughter will be coming to my school with me.
Our contingency plan is clear, we will be a skeleton staff with teachers working from home.

There will not be formal lessons and children will be grouped into the right numbers for ratios. All ages together.

fedup21 · 18/03/2020 17:47

They are offering it as childcare to help you to work. If you don’t need childcare, then don’t send them!

They will be at far more risk of spreading and catching the virus mixing closely with al sorts of people whose parents work in a hospital than being at home.

Greenandcabbagelooking · 18/03/2020 17:49

If you don't need to send them, please don't. If you do, that's fine, but the more kids can stay at home the better.

ofwarren · 18/03/2020 17:53

It's not going to be compulsory. Just there if you need it

Cockola · 18/03/2020 18:00

Single parent, key worker, 4 children. Two youngest will go in so I can work. 2 teenagers will stay at home

AvocadoPrime · 18/03/2020 18:01

Anyone know how it's going to work with EHCP. My son has ASD and is in a asd unit in mainstream. I'm very confused and conflicted about what is going on and what to do. Do not want to lose his school place if he doesnt go in..

Sunshine1239 · 18/03/2020 18:02

Keep st home

They may not even go to their own school

They said a school would be kept open so it’s likely gonna be shared across area

Ilovemyjob007 · 18/03/2020 18:03

We have 22 children in the whole school. Will they open for about 3 children??

Sunshine1239 · 18/03/2020 18:05

A school in an area will be open so those emergency service children will be group together in one school - kids from a range of schools

danni0509 · 18/03/2020 18:06

@AvocadoPrime similar situation ds in mainstream with ehcp and full time 1-1.

He has several 1-1's, can't understand how it's going to work.

Need to go in tomorrow and find out.

ineedaholidaynow · 18/03/2020 18:10

Schools will be providing work for pupils to do at home.

It won't be compulsory for the children to go in as long as they can be at home. What could be a worry if vulnerable children don't go in when they won't get support at home.

Original poster

AliciaWhiskers · 18/03/2020 18:29

Thanks for the information. If it’s a group from lots of schools then I don’t think that would work for DS1 at all. He is already anxious about change but to have such a major change would be too much.

OP posts:

Balkinfly · 18/03/2020 18:34

Just read on another thread that children who pick up the virus this year may be prone to having it worse next year due to their immune response. Any scientists know anything about this? Will try to find the thread and copy the post.

Nofoolfornoone · 18/03/2020 18:36

If your key workers you and children are prob more at risk from your jobs than school. Keep their routine going

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