Nhs key worker and school

[cheninblanc]

Hi

I am as the title says with a 13 year old at home, I work full time. Would you send your child into school two days a week as a key worker? I'm torn because it's been offered to help us and my daughter could really do with going in. It's a long week with me out all day and she's at no more risk there than here with me. I understand the risk to teachers however the risk is the same for any of us key workers. I'm torn tbh as it would make my job so much less stressful if I knew she were in school

Yes I absolutely would. The schools are open to help keyworkers such as yourself. Take the help that is being offered

I definitely would.

I work in a school and am on a rota covering for keyworker children. I would suggest you definitely send her in, as all the teachers I know are very happy to be able to help keyworker staff in this way. We'd all much rather have the children with us, than alone at home.

@cheninblanc

Does your daughter want to go in?

My son is 14 and I wouldn’t send him in.

I’m a teacher looking after Key Workers children and we’ve had about three children in this week, between the ages of 4 and 8. We’ve been doing a lot of colouring in and exercise programs outside. We’ve played some games, but none I imagine a 13 year would appreciate. Where I am at least, it’s all catered towards younger children.

My dds are 15 and 12 and I was not planning to send mine in even before DP started to work from home.

No I wouldn't. At 13 she can stay alone. It's only a baby sitting service ( my dd is a secondary school teacher). There is no need for her to go. Everyone is safer at home.

Please use it if you need it, at our secondary school they are accessing the online work other are doing at home plus spending time outside or doing activities. It breaks up the week. We’ve started offering morning or afternoon slots to help key workers children break the week up when they are not keen on whole days.

I'm more than happy to keep an eye on keyworkers children to allow them to get on with their own important work and not worry about their child. We only had one in today because its the holidays so it was very easy to keep our distance from one another.

Just a thought. It seems like the provision is slightly different based on location. Your daughter could end up going in and accessing a computer to do her work...or she might be playing musical statues with a bunch of 7 year olds.

Maybe phone your local hub and find out the age range of children currently attending and what sort of activities are on offer.

I think if your DD needs the company of an adult while you work then you shouldn't feel bad about sending her. Poor kid is probably worried sick about you, while at home alone - it must be awful for her. I'm sorry she's having to go through this, poor kid. Thank you for what you're doing for us all 🌷

To make it simpler she's really really keen to go. She enjoys school, she's not bothered about mixing with year 7s or anyone tbh. I've decided she'll do two days next week and have let the school know. She's really looking fwd to it!

It is a childcare service but that doesn't mean it isn't valuable. It gives students who are possibly home alone a way of breaking up their day and take their mind of any worries they might have and also allows them to chat with familiar staff about their concerns about the current situation and their parents role within it. Secondary school children have a better understand of what is going on, they know Dr's and nurses are dying and when their parents work in a hospital it is obviously something that worries them and they may be unwilling to share those concerns with their own parents.

If you feel like your Dd wants to go and would benefit from the routine and adult input then please send her in.

No, I wouldn't. We aren't expecting anyone over 11 to be honest, based on NSPCC guidance and it is for absolute emergency care if you have no other options. At 13 she is perfectly safe at home. If you need help she should be in 5 days a week, if you are a full time worker, not just a couple. You either need emergency care or you don't.

However, it seems clear that other schools have other opinions, so perhaps you should email and ask for clarification.