According to the key workers list, DH qualifies as a key worker - but I still want to keep kids home

[RUOKHon]

DH works in the medicine supply chain so is considered a key worker. I’m freelance and wfh anyway and have no work on at the moment for obvious reasons. Technically I could still send DCs into school, but I don’t want to. Would you?

The only thing I’m in two minds about is that it’s an opportunity for them to keep learning and also to keep the routine. I will do my best to home school then but it won’t be as good as school.

I’d rather they were just here with me but am I missing an opportunity for them to keep up their education and not slip behind so much. Does it even matter?

Might be overthinking it.

Yes, I would keep them at home like a shot. Mine will be in school on Monday and I would love for them not to be.

I wouldn't consider sending them in. Why risk it?! Also, my school have said they aren't actually teaching. Just babysitting.

If you cAn keep them at home you should. It's a no brainer.

No. I would keep them home.

The point of closing the schools is that children stay home and reduce the spread. The point of the key workers thing is people who need to be in work can still go and dont need to take time off to look after children

Its not just a favour. It's to enable them to still work, your DH doesn't need this because you can look after the DC at home

You would be incredibly selfish to send them in for the sake of it.

I'd definitely keep them home. It takes a little pressure off the school and reduce the risk to your family.

You should absolutely keep them at home as there is an adult (yourself) available to look after them. There are going to be limited spaces as more and more of us get sick and you are being VU to use one of those places when there are not two key workers out of the house. I am a teacher and won't be sending my children because my partner can wfh. Luckily my head is on the bell and has spoken to a lot of people like you already today.

Have you seen that over and over you are urged to keep your children away if you can?

Schools opening for key workers children is supposed to be if every other possibility has been exhausted.

If you don't have to send them in, please don't. Schools are struggling to staff these arrangements and need to be able to offer the places to those who absolutely need it.
Children won't be taught. It will be childcare, not lessons as usual.
If you can keep them at home, please do that

My DH is a key worker (DWP) and I’m keeping mine home. I’m a student, that’s just going to have to go on the back burner while this all unfolds. Teachers are going to struggle enough to give a good quality of care/education for the children who absolutely HAVE to be there; I don’t want to add to their burden.

You are supposed to keep them at home. If you can!

You can keep them home. That was very clear - it's not compulsory to send them in

You are supposed to keep them in unless you have NO possible alternative. Of course you keep them home. Free up those places for someone who needs them.

The guidance is very clear. If you can safely keep your children at home you should do so.

Formal education is suspended. Schools will not be teaching lessons.

We’ve been told very clearly that school is a last resort for key worker children and if we can we need to keep them home to protect more people, it’s also been made clear that the children in school are there for childcare purposes not education so they won’t be following the curriculum so if you can, you should keep yours at home.

They won’t be learning or in routine though. It will basically be childcare

I think you're reasoning is silly.

Our school has clearly said :
If both parents are key, or if you are key and a single parent, then there's then you're kids are prioritised.

Other than that, they should be home with you!

It won't be proper school anyway. Childcare, to look after your kids while you work as key worker.

Blimey! Do people not realise this. FGS

Children of key workers are only allowed in if it’s absolutely necessary. So your school shouldn’t be letting them in.

Why on earth would you send them into school if you didn't have to? The advice is to keep them at home if you can! Sending them in isn't going to make much difference to their learning anyway - schools will basically be operating as childcare, not proper education.

The guidance is VERY clear that you should keep them at home if you possible can. It’s not education now anyway, it’s childcare ie your children would have to try to do the work that has been set with probably not enough computers or iPads to go round, possibly with a teacher they don’t know.

Pretty sure you only get a place if BOTH parents are key workers

I think you are over thinking it here. Just keep them at home with you.

The message is to keep them home if you can - schools are only open if there is no alternative.

In our letter home from school it says:
'I need you be aware of some key points made by the Government, they have made it clear that if it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
The government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.'

The school would rather you din,t so if you have the choice keep at homer.