We’re expecting 1000 kids!

[DBML]

So, we are going to be a hub school for FSM and childcare.

We are expecting 1000 children in, due to all of the local schools sending their children to us, keeping one building open.

The children will not be learning it has been confirmed. It is child care only.

Please, do not use the school childcare services unless absolutely necessary.

If a lot of those are FSM they may just be coming in to collect a packed lunch and be sent away again.

When the reality of school/childcare becomes apparent and parents realise it won't be their local school and normal teacher, I expect numbers will drop significantly and only those who absolutely need to will be there.

Schools/local authorities will also start limiting and prioritising places.

I work for an LA - spent Friday trying to implement enough care, with limited staff across 300 schools. It is a nightmare - especially with 'entitled parents' demanding places.

This was supposed to be an emergency measure - not a 'right' for free childcare. I have individual schools expecting over 400 pupils on Monday.

The system will crash - we won't have enough well teachers to care for these children - the system will have to be tightened or because of those who don't really need it - will close the system down.

Please - the guidance is to keep your children at home if at all possible - for their safety and all of us.

I work in a school and have been really disappointed with a small minority of parents. I am more than happy to give up my easter holiday to support genuine NHS workers and key workers who have no alternative childcare however I am not prepared to do it for those who were willing to sort their childcare before the “list” came out but now feel they are entitled or those who quite frankly are taking the p* eg someone who works in a haribo factory whose boss has told him he’s a key worker and a chiropodist working in a private practice.
Then having put out a plea to try and reduce the number we have genuine people who have altered shifts to work opposite to partners. Makes my blood boil. Plus don’t get me started on the selfish people emptying the shelves. I’ve tried to shop normally ( there is no longer a normal ) 😢

Can I also add the entitlement extends to a parent demanding that the FSM packed lunch is delivered to her house - 4 miles away...all whilst skeleton staff care for 400 children!
I could write a book!

I don't think some schools have been strict enough with the prioritising. It's for front line workers who don't have any other option or the most vulnerable. We have said no to many at our school. It's emergency child care not education and also non statutory.

This is one situation where children with free school meals don’t automatically qualify - you need to apply the filter. Seems like the local schools haven’t applied their brains when closing schools - with 1,000 eligible pupils you need to keep more schools open.

I don't think some schools have been strict enough with the prioritising.

The Government could have been stricter, and then there wouldn't have been the need for schools to do so.

I don't think some schools have been strict enough with the prioritising - it is decided by the government not schools.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

@Leithwalk

It’s easy for us to blame local authorities. I forget you are all just trying to do your job too.

You’re right. The list of entitled parents is too big and too broad. We’ll find out this week if it’s going to work or collapse.

I want to see massive fines for parents abusing the system. It should be for people with two key workers only. Even in that scenario, I think employers should manage shift patterns so as to minimise need.

I won't be sending my DC to the hub. I don't trust the minimising of the risk to kids on the basis that all the minimising so far has been proven to be foolish. I will not have my DH go to his non-essential job while I'm at work. He can WfH then go in after hours or if I get any time off.

Where's the Daily Mail when you need them? Yoooo-hoo, over here!

Mind you, if there's a proper lockdown this week there should be a lot less demand anyway. On the basis of Italy's death numbers it needs to happen within two days.

My poor DD is having to go to school. She is so stressed about it. She doesn't cope well with change. I hate the idea of her going in to a new school where she knows no one and the staff are resentful.

I will only put her in 3 days, I'll work from home on one and take a holiday on the 5th, hopefully other parents will do the same and will reduce the strain.

That's just stupid.

The headteacher of one of our local schools is currently in ICU with corona virus.

They closed the school when she showed symptoms.

The hospital refused to test her as she apparently wasn't ill enough. Gave her the all clear.

School reopened a few days later. All those kids, parents, grandparents etc mixing.

Days later the head is in ICU with confirmed corona virus ((finally ill enough when on deaths door))

Next week some of the kids of that school are going to these units. I think it's absolute madness. They should all be tested. Especially as schools are such breeding grounds.

@whatwouldyoudo...
That’s dreadful!!!

I don’t even know what the answer is.

Seems like the local schools haven’t applied their brains when closing schools - with 1,000 eligible pupils you need to keep more schools open - but only if there are enough staff.

Splitting children into small groups across more school requires more staff, more DSL's, paediatric first aiders, more cleaners, cooks - that we just don't have...because they are self isolating/vulnerable too.

The government gave a list, yes, but also made it clear that if children could be cared for at home they should be. This is where schools (and I'm a deputy head) need to use their common sense, be firm and prioritise. This is clearly in guidelines from the naht union too. You don't have to make an offer just because parents think they are on the list!

Liverpool by any chance?

That’s madness and utterly pointless.

@Popfan

Is your school managing this well would you say?

DBML - and that is just the named government entitled parents...add all those that think/demand/behave as ENTITLED - they are the issue!

No merging with other schools for us, just the 42% of pupils on roll who have parents exercising their right to a place because they are on the list . We're low on staff because of illness or isolation, so large groups. So much for reducing the spread.
We're all really happy to play our part in supporting the frontline vital workers, but some parents just want the childcare.

I can’t imagine how some of the nurses and doctors feel. Thank you if you’re NHS or emergency services staff. I have a new appreciation for everything you do.

Yet the childrens parent might work in the NHS or for Social Services and have no choice but to continue working. It's a dilemma

One of my relatives works for a vital service and as I understand it, the children will be strictly separated into smaller groups.

I wholeheartedly agree with the decision to place children with a social worker in school. I do worry about children at risk and also women at risk cooped up with a violent partner

Oh and as we're in Cumbria and all the idiots have raced up here so the lakes is busier than it is in the summer we have the highest rates. In the top 10% and yet we have the worst hospitals.

Someone a family member knows died yesterday because he couldn't access dialysis. They had to tell him there was nothing they could do for him days after him thinking he'd have his usual. Then he'd go home. They couldn't do it because of the virus, the hospital he should have been transferred to wouldn't take him. If people don't start engaging their brains we are fucked.

Yes, I was more than happy. Thought we’d have maybe 20 - 30 kids or so. Split them into small groups of about 5. Different rooms. I felt good about doing my part.

I won’t lie. I want to run away right now. Obviously I won’t and I’ll do my job. But I fear for my family. That’s why I say, god bless our front line staff and what they’re going through.

We are taking around 30 (from 330). We will be providing FSM by handing packed lunches out an open window.

1000 is utter madness.