Are schools safe? Asking teachers

[Jumpingjellybeans29]

We are both frontline NHS so we don't have a choice about sending our kids.

My understanding is that there will be a mix of kids left in. Staff on a rota. Skeleton staff in each day. No continuity. Obviously some may go into self isolation so potentially risk of unsafe ratios. The schools have had v little time to plan this so no policies will have been updated eg safeguarding of kids and bullying issues.

Is it just me or this is really crap childcare?

At our school the children will do maths and English in the morning - the same work set for the home learners - as well as reading and spelling. The afternoon will be a variety of activities depending on what the staff choose to do that day. Could be outdoor sport, gardening, craft, painting, project, problem solving etc.

Like a previous poster, I haven't heard teachers complaining about offering emergency childcare, apart from when only one parent is a key worker and the remaining parent 'wouldn't be able to cope' or some other feeble excuse. This is a time for everybody to step up and pull together.

As teachers, we will ensure that your children are safe and happy so that you can go to work on the front line with peace of mind.

Teachers are amazingly resilient, dependable, resourceful people. It won't be crap childcare. It won't be school as you know it, but they will be safe.

I can't speak for your daughter's school but for the school I work at we are trying our best to make this experience as positive as possible for the children, we have a rough idea of a routine that can be followed if it suits the children including online yoga and fitness tutorials, outside play time, access to appropriate toys, and adult led activities that mirror what we are suggesting parents do at home including baking, arts, crafts and gardening.
Yes the staff will be different every day but the children will be safe, fed and cared for, and we are definitely not intentionally making things boring for the children, in fact we're trying to do the opposite to make sure they get through this horrible time with a positive view of the world.

Jumping jellybeans my Dd is having to be sent to her school so that I can go to my school and take care of other people's children. Its a horrible situation to be in but we are all public servants and it's what we need to do.

As for the 'crap babysitting'
I've spent all weekend re-writing and finding resources so that work is suitable for on-line, independent study.
The children in tomorrow will be completing everything their teachers across subjects have set.
It better not be crap.

I know you teachers are all working incredibly hard and I'm honestly not trying to insult you. It's just like in the NHS - we are working very hard but honestly the service you will all receive will be a bit crap over the next few months because we are overstretched. We will not be able to follow guidelines and official policies because there will not be enough staff / equipment / beds.

What I'm saying is, I have a choice here. I could choose not to work and look after my young kids myself. Is that what I should do?

What's the alternative?

The safest option for your child would be one of you giving up work and the other living out of the home. There are all kinds of levels in between that you can consider.

You need to find your balance between three things:

Safety for your family and above all, your child
Keeping your family together
Helping wider society

Only you know where that balance lies for you.

OP don’t be so rude (teacher here). It’s not an ideal situation but schools have made contingency plans in two days. If you aren’t happy with schools babysitting your schools go and find a babysitter that is virus free and pay for childcare if schools’ childcare is so “crap”.

What we need is unity and understanding...not people bringing down systems that quite frankly are needed. Imagine if the government said absolutely no schools open, not even for key worker students or vulnerable kids - what would you do then?!

I’m sure your child’s school will do it’s best in current circumstances. But like I said, if you think it’s that crap make other childcare arrangements!

"really crap childcare"

I get that tensions are high but we'll look after your children - and put our own at risk - so you can do an incredible and difficult job fighting this on the front line.

Please don't judge the quality of our provision, we wouldn't think to question the quality of yours. Let's remember how hard this is for everyone, and build each other up. Thank you for everything you're both doing in the NHS.

Is that what I should do?

No one can make that decision for you.

I think the whole point of saying its for key workers only is so its not crap and stretched. (It was stretched before schools were 'closed"for the vast majority of children and thats why sime schools started closing) now the number of children should reflect the staff available it shoukd be better.

If your child is autitic they might not cope with all the changes.
If you are worried about infection risks, there is less risk at home.

could you see how it goes tomorrow then make a decision?

That's my point though, the quality of NHS provision over the next few weeks will be inadequate and most of us will freely admit it.

@RedRum27 I'm saying I can! I can quit my job and look after the kids myself. I'm asking a genuine question here. I hold my hands up and admit the NHS will offer a subpar service. Worst case scenario people will die. It's the same for schools. What's the worst case scenario for my kids

The provisions our school have made are far from 'crap' thanks!

You don't have to worry about your child being the only one from their reception class. The little ones are practically celebrities as far as the older children are concerned so your little one will be well looked after and included in all of the games that are going on!

Honestly though, the fewer people who send their children to school the better - for your child's sake and everyone else's - so if you want to make other arrangements then please knock yourself out!

Op I am very anxious about teaching tomorrow. But only about the infection risk. I know in my school we will try to look after the kids as best as we can - after all we are leaving our own kids to do so. It will be as nurturing as possible as we recogni the stress everyone (including children) are under.
The only risk is infection.. honest OP.

No, don’t not do your job. If I’m honest, my colleagues and I will do our utmost to ensure your dc are brilliantly looked after because we know you and they would much rather be at home. Being the only one in reflection means she is almost guaranteed one to one -someone will be reposnsoble for looking after them at all times. I promise she will be fine.

I work in a school, we are taking seriously and school will be clean. All it takes it one family not taking it seriously to put everyone a little bit more at risk.

*OP

Lots of teachers have told you what is on offer at their school. Do you ordinarily trust your school? If so, it will be ok.

I think you’re looking for someone to give you permission to stay with your babies. I don’t blame you.

Worst case scenario is she has a slightly boring time some of the time or she might not be superbly clean at home time (but not Unsanitarily unclean).

I can understand your anxiety, but surely in a time ofcrisis this is what medical professionals are expected to do, it feels a bit like military personnel declaring that they aren’t prepared to leave their families and go to war.

It’s awful, but what happens if the very people that can make a rubbish situation better, won’t do their job.

OP just to make you feel better / the kids are likely to have a much better time than those locked in their homes - aren’t they? Or have I missed the point?

op, I'm not sure why you think your child will be in physical danger? Safeguarding will be as robust as ever. Of course the education will be of a lower standard than we'd like - that is true for all children, whether they stay at home or come to school.

It sounds like you're really worried and stressed about the weeks ahead. Totally understandable given the circumstances you will face at work. School is going to be a very different place over the next few weeks, but nothing like what you are facing.

As others have said, teachers are volunteering to take care of your child. None of us would do that if we weren't prepared to do our absolute best for the children if NHS staff.

I am a teacher. I don't think it will be crap. Trained teachers and TAs will look after your child and provide activities for them to do. It won't be the EYFS curriculum but they will be safe and happy. For older kids they will have access to ICt to do some learning activities and will no doubt also play games, listen to music, do some arts and crafts and some running around outside. If people are responsible and only send in their kids if they have to, then it should be OK, not fabulous but far from crap.

I don’t think schools will be the cleanest of places (they aren’t usually) though.!