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Original poster

To resent parents who are still sending their kids to school on Monday

999 replies

letmeinthroughyourwindow · 21/03/2020 06:52

Not the genuine cases, obviously.

But I'm a teacher and we will be opening for the duration because 40% of our pupils have at least one parent who is a keyworker.

Before the list was released, the government told us to expect 10% and we planned accordingly. In fact, we planned for 20%.

When the list was released, it was so broad that far more parents than we ever expected fell into one of the categories.

Now, if your need is genuine then of course I want to care for your child. I'm happy to do it, and proud that doing so keeps you working.

But we have so many parents who are allowed to send their child to school, but shouldn't be, that it's infuriating me.

If you are a keyworker but your partner is a stay-at-home parent should you be sending them in?

If you are a keyworker but your partner works from home or is allowed to work from home indefinitely, should you be sending them in?

My sister's employer is allowing all employees who are parents to work from home on full pay, but many are saying that they don't need to, because their partner is a keyworker so their kids can still go to school

Just because you can send them, doesn't mean you should. It shouldn't be the best or easiest option for you, it should be a last resort if there is nowhere else to keep them safe.

The number one, most critical piece of advice for keyworker parents is, 'if it is at all possible for children to be kept at home then they should be.'

Please don't think I'm lazy and cba babysitting these children. I cried when my class went home yesterday, and care about every child in school. If I am in work full time anyway, then it really doesn't matter how many children are in the classroom.

But so many people don't understand social distancing. They are walking around like they are immortal, or only thinking that they themselves will probably be ok if they get it. For social distancing to have the desired effect, then everyone who can be at home, should be. If there was a chance of your child dying from this, would you send them to school? Well then think about who might die because they came into contact with your child.

And all of this brought on by a friend who called me last night to say that she is thrilled to be able to send her child to school on Monday because she is a deliveroo driver, even though her unemployed bf will be home all day on the PlayStation.

OP posts:
Phoebesgift · 21/03/2020 13:06

Children with SEN, my daughter included should stay at home if it's possible. They will not be safer in school. SEN schools already flout the rules regarding sickness/diarrhoea etc by allowing sick children to return to school earlier to give their parents a break. These schools are already a hotbed for germs and viruses.

Original poster
letmeinthroughyourwindow · 21/03/2020 13:06

"Our school has taken a really hard line: both parents or single parent key worker, and key workers are NHS, 999, social/care staff, or teachers. That's it."

I don't agree with this. It doesn't comply with the rules at all. You should be supporting families with genuine need. Unless you have a staffing issue, it seems extremely unhelpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
letmeinthroughyourwindow · 21/03/2020 13:08

"They may need 1:1 (or 2:1) care and have challenging behaviour which (especially if out of routine) would put other children in the house at risk."

Schools are not open for this scenario. We are open to provide childcare when there is no other option. That is, no adult at home.

OP posts:
WotcherHarry · 21/03/2020 13:10

I’m a single parent and I am also a community nurse. My job is specialised and I am able to do the majority of assessments via phone now but there will be some face to face. I am not using the hubs. If I am redeployed I will have to reassess, but as long as I can keep my children safe at home I will do. I won’t be as productive in the day but i have told my work that I will do work in the evenings. They are grateful to keep me at the moment as lots of staff are vulnerable and can no longer do face to face.

BertandQueenieforever · 21/03/2020 13:11

YANBU. I'm a key worker but husband can work from home. We are not sending our kids in because we DO have an alternative and why increase the numbers in school and increase the risk when we don't need to.

I feel so strongly about this. I think the schools are perfectly within their rights to be really stringent with the criteria. They need to protect themselves and the children they are caring for.

SmileEachDay · 21/03/2020 13:14

why increase the numbers in school and increase the risk when we don't need to

Exactly this. If you send your kids in you are increasing the risk for the children of KWs. And therefore for the KWs.

PatchworkElmer · 21/03/2020 13:14

Agreed OP, I think that the definition is way too broad. My friend works in HR admin for an infrastructure company and is apparently a key worker. Bizarre.

nancyclancy123 · 21/03/2020 13:14

I have already posted regarding SEN schools, but I’ll say it again.

For those whose dc attend an SEN school. Your child’s routine is going to be complete different, they will not be in the same class or have their usual staff. They will not be receiving their usual education.

So please do not send your dc in because you’re concerned about their routine being affected.

PatchworkElmer · 21/03/2020 13:16

DH has been told he might be done (he shouldn’t be!) we’ve agreed that DS won’t be going to childcare even if he is.. I can work from home, we will have to cope. I don’t want to send my child in, don’t want to risk children of actual key workers, DH is high risk anyway so wouldn’t want DS bringing anything home...

HoobleDooble · 21/03/2020 13:21

I think if there's a parent at home the child should be with them. We both work, DH is a full time key worker, I'm a part time non key worker but my boss thinks it won't affect us or something (no idea why we're still open). I've juggled my hours about so that DS doesn't have to go to school, but will still have to take him into work with me for a few hours ... unless my boss wakes up.

CappyCapCap · 21/03/2020 13:22

Saying that a child can be left at home with their key worker mother’s unemployed partner, the partner may not be the child’s father, may not have known the child long ( talking generally here not saying this is always the case). So leaving them with them potentially for long periods could be a safeguarding issue.

If you have a partner living in the house that you dont trust around your kids, that's a problem that is a problem outside pandemic.

Who the fuck has people in their house they trust with their kids?

And why are they in your house living with you, if they arent willing to pull their weight?

Wonderbag · 21/03/2020 13:30

Don’t be thinking that SEN children will be getting their usual 1:1 or 2:1 ratio, or even staff they’ve ever met before. Or familiar rooms or anything!
So much safeguarding that has been a given til now is being so far relaxed to make accommodations.

It’s also mad that people are being asked to staff this and so they are now key workers putting their own kids in a school somewhere.

nancyclancy123 · 21/03/2020 13:34

Wonderbag Exactly this ⬆️

Original poster
letmeinthroughyourwindow · 21/03/2020 13:36

"Don’t be thinking that SEN children will be getting their usual 1:1 or 2:1 ratio, or even staff they’ve ever met before. Or familiar rooms or anything!"

Quite right. Different classrooms, different classmates that change daily, different teachers on a rota, different structure to the day, no lessons or formal teaching at all.

It really is last resort, no-choice stuff.

And if people abuse it, we won't even have that any more.

OP posts:
SmileEachDay · 21/03/2020 13:38

And if people abuse it, we won't even have that any more

Yep. This will happen, I’m almost sure. People - including KWs - are going to need contingency plans for when schools are directed to close entirely.

Wonderbag · 21/03/2020 13:43

Also, the few staff who will be strangers in strange rooms childminding starts Monday.
It’s not what’s coming down the line. It’s from now

Jedstre · 21/03/2020 13:45

I have no choice but to send both children to school next week. DH and I are both NHS. I would much prefer to have them at home with me.

I’ve got no idea what will happen if schools are directed to close completely.

Fleamaker123 · 21/03/2020 13:49

I work as a lunchtime assistant in a special needs school, so I am a key worker apparently. I am expected to go in, and send my 2 children into their school. I've told them I'm staying home with my kids, and I'll take it unpaid. Manager was Hmm but I think it's more of a burden to send my kids into school, which increases their staff who will also have children! so I can do my job which is only a couple of hours a day!!

DonkeyKong2019 · 21/03/2020 14:07

Our school are separating the SEN children from monday in to the foundation block and will be prioritising giving them as much routine and stability as possible. The key workers kids will most likely have far less structure but our school is prioritising the kids who are classed as vulnerable. They are rotating the staff and luckily the school community actually means there is a lot of staff volunteering. I think it's times like this when having a solid school community pays dividends

PertEllaTitsahoy · 21/03/2020 14:10

Thankfully the company I work for understands that I wont be able to stick to my usual working hours and days. They are ok with me doing what I can, when I can and working around my responsibilities at home.

Any company that is forcing its workers to stick to their scheduled hours and not making any allowances to allow people to not have to send their kids to school needs to be made publically accountable for putting people at risk.

SmileEachDay · 21/03/2020 14:13

I’ve got no idea what will happen if schools are directed to close completely

One of you will have to not work - that’s what is happening in France.

Saoirse7 · 21/03/2020 14:17

Genuinely wondering where does this end?

Will school staff be on call as babysitters until 6/7pm? Weekends?

How are France, Ireland, Spain and Italy managing without a similar system in place?

Dawnofanewmillenium · 21/03/2020 14:18

Meanwhile you’re at home, right, donkey

LaurieMarlow · 21/03/2020 14:18

One of you will have to not work - that’s what is happening in France.

In Ireland, nursery and crèche staff are offering their services to cover families with 2 key workers/single parents.

Genuine key workers who can’t do their jobs remotely that is.

DonkeyKong2019 · 21/03/2020 14:21

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