Why do schools need to go back to get the workforce back?

[Pitaramus]

I keep hearing talk of the “need” to send kids back to school so that their parents can get back to work. I’ve never really seen school as sufficient childcare to enable someone to actually go to work. My youngest child’s nursery is 8-6 and open about 51 weeks a year. That is childcare. School is 9-3 and is shut for 3 months of the year anyway.

Surely one parent in each family unit (assuming the family has two parents) could go back to work without schools going back. A certain percentage of families of primary aged kids have one stay at home parent anyway because of the cost of the wrap around care they’d otherwise need. And all parents whose children are 13 plus could also go back to work.

I just don’t see the schools being shut as being a massive barrier to a lot of the work force returning, particularly given that they are only open 9-3 anyway and they are due off for may half term and then the summer hols which means you’d be getting 9-3 “childcare” for 12 weeks between now and September.

Of course there will be some who can’t work without school and the after school and breakfast clubs that some schools offer but these people must be in the minority if you’re looking at the workforce as a whole. I know in my workplace I’m one of three people out of about 40 with primary aged kids where both parents work. Luckily I’m managing to work from home as I have quite a flexible job.

If the cost of the furlough is the problem (which I’m sure it is) why not furlough one parent in each family with young kids where both parents work and then everyone else can go back as and when it’s safe to do so.

Honestly, people like solo mummy pop up occasionally but should just be ignored.

Mine goes to nursery because I think it's good for her and she loves it

That's your choice and I'm not saying you shouldn't have a choice. Its OK for mums to have a choice.

I stayed at home for the same reasons and that's OK too

Eventually she will go for more days because I will be at work. Most parents choose to do what they think is right for their child, there's simply no need to get on the backs of those doing their best.

I agree. Most parents do what they think is best. I'm not trying to get peopes backs up.

Also, fathers and mothers are equally responsible for childcare, whether at home or in nursery or with a childminder. Some people may work because they want, some because they have to and for others it might be a bit of both, stop judging.

I agree that both parents are responsible for the children

The problem with these types of mn discussions is that often anyone mentioning the reasons why they chose to be a SAHM is taken as criticism of working mums. It isn't. I'm all for supporting other women and whatever the choice they make.

I chose to stay at home when mine were young. Some might say I was depriving my children of lots of experiences because we didnt have much money, holidays, trips out in a nice car, a big house, or importantly a secure financial future. Others might think that's was a failing of mine, I dont know. Maybe it was, and I was wrong. But I did what I thought was the best thing to do at the time. None of us are perfect but we are all entitled to our own opinion

I believe too many women are pressurised into returning to work too early. That pressure might be from a number of directions. I would prefer it if Grandparents or aunties could be subsidised to care for young children, instead of the way daycare is. This is not a criticism of working mums.

I believe that the best place for a very young child is with the mother or a primary carer, rather than in day care. This is not a criticism of working mums either. It's more a criticism of the way mums/women are failed in the job market and by legislation. Hours expected to work and so on That's an opinion on how society is set up and how it fails women.

None of these are a criticism of working mums. They are my own personal opinions. Someone who goes to work has their own personal opinion and thats OK too. It doesn't mean one is a better or worse mum/parent than the other.

Why would a mother with very young/pre school children want to go to work anyway?

You don't think this was an incredibly judgmental comment to make @Flaxmeadow

Perhaps childcare workers like after school clubs would be a good idea, so parents can work. It might cost them more in the short term, but they won't have anything to pay when schools go back.
Keep the schools closed until everyone can go back, keeping more people safe.
There's only key workers in school now, and they aren't being educated.
I feel so sorry for teachers having to be child minders, it's not what they signed up for at all.
I think it's important to separate education from childcare.

You don't think this was an incredibly judgmental comment to make

Maybe it was in a way, but it was a question and I ask it because I genuinely don't understand why someone would want to. I can understand why mums might feel they need to though. But want and need are not the same thing.

In surveys most mums say they would prefer to stay at home. This is what I mean by saying that the pressure is on women. That society is not set up to take womens/mums needs into consideration. Working hours for example or not being able to work from home or not being able to afford to contribute towards Grandmothers or aunts helping. It isnt fair on women to begin with, whether we want to stay at home or not

Flaxmeadow
Lot's of women want to work. You're being very narrow minded.

What surveys are you referring to? My research doesn't fully support that idea.

There are lots of barriers to womens career development and unfortunately your attitude doesn't help. You are suggesting there is something wrong with wanting to go out to work.

I think some comments on this thread belong back in the 1950's. How dare mothers go out to work and be independent! Not every mother wants to stay at home with just their children for company day in day out. I wanted to go back to work because I have a good career that I've worked hard for and I love my job. It also ensures financial security for my children's future and means we have lovely days out and holidays. I personally feel pre school experience has been a very positive thing for both my children and they wouldn't get the same if they were at home with a parent until the age of 4/5. I'm certainly no less of a parent than someone who stays at home. I also wouldn't like to be out of work until my children are in secondary school as the chances of getting a job after all that time out are quite slim and the types of jobs and earning potential would probably not be worth it.

Our school offer wraparound care at a low rate that just covers costs. 7.30am - 6pm. It’s always full, loads of our parents work full time.

Another massive issue is not being able to use grandparents as childcare; at our school, at least 50% of the children are dropped off/collected by grandparents.

@Flaxmeadow ‘Why would a mother with very young/pre school children want to go to work anyway?’

To pay the mortgage.

Perhaps childcare workers like after school clubs would be a good idea, so parents can work. It might cost them more in the short term, but they won't have anything to pay when schools go back.

I think this is inevitable. Sooner or later, employers are going to start putting pressure on staff to get back to work, and threaten redundancy/disciplinary if they don't. Parents aren't going to be able to stay off work indefinitely if the employer wants them back, which will happen when we start returning to normal.

I can see where some of these comments are coming from that sound very old fashioned.

Family A - have both parents working, which they are entitled to do. However, they both don't NEED the income, one would do, but they both WANT to work.

Family B - have one working and a sahp, they are able to care for their own child during the day, and don't want schools to go back until it's safe.

Family C - have both parents working and they NEED both incomes, also relying on schools for childcare as well as education.

Family B can't understand why their children should have to go back to school, because they want to stay on roll, for Family A when they don't need the childcare, because they don't need both incomes.

When you are dealing with a pandemic and some are having to shield it's unfair for their family to suffer for Family A's choice.

So there needs to be a system for everybody, childcare and education.

That's very simplistic. We would be classed as family A but we're in a fortunate position in that we can both WFH for as long as needed with very flexible employers. I don't want schools to open until it is safe to do so.

This issue is some people are unwilling to see things from others' perspectives and are too quick to judge. I choose to work but I can understand why some women choose not to when their children are small.

SueEllen

So you would have a choice, either continue wfh or childminder. Then when it's safe for everyone schools could go back and be taught together.
It doesn't affect me as mine will be joining 6th form in September, but I know people who would be pissed off at having to go back to school too soon as they have family members shielding, or high risk.
I don't care who works and who doesn't, but I do believe in fairness for all, whichever camp you are in

I agree completely.
We shouldn't be judging people for their choices..... unfortunately too many people still do.

The more mothers that work & the more fathers facilitate that, then the more family friendly employers will be.

Looking at history how common was staying at home & spending time with your dc? I mean my grandma didnt work but she had 7 kids. She didn't have a washing machine, a dishwasher, a microwave etc she spent most of her days preparing food & cleaning & my mum left the country at 17 for better opportunities.

To pay the mortgage

But isn't that more a need than a want?

@Flaxmeadow do you think its wrong if women chose to work because they like it?

flaxmeadow you think having a roof over your head is a want not a need????
Also, what is wrong with women wanting to work? Nobody ever questions why a man chooses to work.

There is nothing wrong for women to work of they want to. If you want to keep your career, having 5 years off until your child is at school is not realistic. Hence choices need to be made.

I agree that it would be nice to get 3 years maternity leave, but sadly it doesnt happen right now.

some of us work school hours and have term time ( and don't work in schools)

do you think its wrong if women chose to work because they like it?

No

you think having a roof over your head is a want not a need????

No

Also, what is wrong with women wanting to work? Nobody ever questions why a man chooses to work

There's nothing wrong with it

It really helps if people read the thread properly

You said a paying your mortgage is a want not a need.
You've also said you don't understand why women choose to work.....have you ever questioned why a man chooses to work? Have you ever told a man his mortgage is a want not a need?
Your deep-rooted misogyny and judgement towards women who choose to work is evident.

You said a paying your mortgage is a want not a need.

No I did not.
This is what I said

Today 17.39
But isn't that more a need than a want?

My DD is 12. I drop her at the bus stop at 7:45 and drive to work, starting at 8:30 and finishing at 4, getting home about 4:45. DD gets the bus home and is there about 3:30. I don't mind her being home alone for an hour or two, but would not feel comfortable leaving her all day whilst I'm at work 20 miles away.

I'm working from home, but won't be able to return to the office full time until the schools go back. I'm the only parent in my time of 8.

You've also said you don't understand why women choose to work

No i did not

.....have you ever questioned why a man chooses to work?

Sometimes

Have you ever told a man his mortgage is a want not a need?

I haven't said a mortgage is a want not a need

Your deep-rooted misogyny and judgement towards women who choose to work is evident.

Where is it evident?