We have had parents who fall under the new Key-person list, who are both either WFH, or not working and have told us that they’ll still be sending their children in, Even though they don’t need to...because they pay for it and can’t cope with them being at home all day.
We have also had parents complaining that their child should be allowed to come in too, as it’s not fair (despite the parents being at home).
We are taking children of key persons from other settings, who aren’t staying open too and from the local community.
We’ll be at about 50-75% capacity and will also be providing online learning and resource packs for those who will be staying at home.
I understand the need for childcare to continue for frontline essential workers, but I think this should be provided for families where both parents (or the lone parent) are key workers, not just one! Children should be kept at home where possible and not sent into school/nursery just because they can!
There’s little point in closing childcare and education settings, if 75% of children can still attend.
I am also concerned that the children in my setting, will technically be at high risk of infection, due to their parents roles.
Children have, are and always will be significant vectors for disease transmission and it should be made clear that children who are high risk, should not be mixing with others needlessly.
I worry that one of these children could give me the virus, which I will in turn, bring home to my family, of whom, three are vulnerable due to chronic lung conditions.
Worrying times!