My child's nursery isn't closing...

[DieCryHate]

Within 20 minutes of the PM's daily statement my child's nursery has emailed to say since the "government hasn't insisted, we are open for the foreseeable future". Not sure how I feel about this. Our child attending means we can both WFH easily, but I do not feel comfortable waving them off when the government clearly feels it necessary for all of our wellbeing that they don't attend. I also feel annoyed that this could be because they're hoping no one actually attends but we'll still be paying full whack.

How would you react to this situation?

Honestly and very selfishly I’d be pleased. Not sure how we’re going to get through the next few months

It won’t last long. Here in Switzerland they announced closures last Friday, but our crèche said it was staying open. We then got an email on Saturday night to say things had changed and that it was now only open for healthcare & emergency services workers.

Personally I think it’s awful that people would risk their children’s health by sending them. I hope they aren’t going to try to charge parents who keep their children at home.

I'm in the same position with our CM. She's remaining open and so we have to pay in full even if dc don't attend. That's a price I'm willing to pay in this situation as I have a couple of the underlying health conditions that mean I am vulnerable and we are currently self isolating anyway as both me and dc2 have a cough.

I’ve just been sent the government guidance.

It is definitely schools and early years settings.

Your nursery won’t be allowed to open, except to care for vulnerable children and the children of essential workers.

My DS has just got a place at a special needs nursery, they want to begin inductions on the 29th. The owner hasn't mentioned the possibility of closing which at the moment indicates that they're planning on remaining open too.

Fortunately I don't rely on the childcare so I won't be sending him as I WFH. I really do feel for the parents who have to make the choice based on needing to work.

EYProvider would you mind linking to the guidance please? I can't seem to find it!

Thanks all. As I expected, a range of responses. I'm hoping they are forced to close. Husband is all for sending them but I don't feel I can so I'm hoping this frustrating situation is taken out of our hands (as I presumed it had been when watching the statement!).

I would feel sorry for the nursery assistants forced to continue to work there.

Yeah it seems places other than schools are taking it like a recommendation doesn't it.. I'm getting adverts for childcare settings popping up on Facebook as we speak saying they will be open, which to me, kind of defeats the object of closing schools but 🤷🏼‍♀️

I think people are latching on to the idea he is "asking", because thats the wording he used.

I don't think he is really "asking" and that will become clear over the next couple of days. They will close except for keyworkers and the vunerable.

Like this...

www.gov.uk/government/news/schools-colleges-and-early-years-settings-to-close

My childminder seems to think she can stay open at the moment.

@jobseeker19 absolutely, that's what I mean about feeling the government don't think it's in all our best interests for it to be open.

Thanks @EYprovider I think I'm going to email back quoting that.

I work in a nursery, and we're staying open because until the government force us to (current clause is that schools & nurseries are closed except to key workers) we can't claim on the insurance. That's why, believe me we don't want to be open

And all the parents, like already stating on here, don't want to be paying for their places if shut. So if we don't get that insurance pay out, we won't be getting wages

and does that make practitioners keyworkers since they are looking after the keyworkers children? And what about wrap around care? 9-3 is no good for someone who works nursery hours.

And to also add - they haven't stated a specific definition of who is and isn't a "key worker", so we're having to stay open to everyone. Everyone in the sector wants a closure, we're in a shit position

the guidence on what is a keyworker is coming.

Ours said they were staying open too. They have since deleted the social media stuff saying this though. The day nursery website says all nurserys are closing so maybe they have misunderstood. I’m hoping if they do close we don’t have to pay but I havnt been able to find out what happens to the fees if they close

@Pawsin Copied and pasted from .Gov we site. See "...financial support"

"Nurseries, private schools and sixth forms should also follow this guidance. We will provide financial support for these settings as required."

My CM is open for the time being and will be until she's told to close. We are in Wales though.

I'm still going to send my kids as long as we and they are well. We have to work, my CM also needs a wage coming in. She is only having her usual kids, so it's not going to be like they would be at school. Hopefully between DH and I using leave, it will only be for a week.

I just can’t believe how willing people are to risk their children getting it and passing it on!