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Original poster

Sending children back to nursery

82 replies

NJDO · 11/05/2020 15:14

Hi! This is my first thread and just wondering out of curiosity really - if nurseries do reopen on 1st June, will you be sending your children back?

I'm a Nursery Manager and have mixed feelings about reopening as there is no way social distancing can happen with children under 4, and although we will take precaution and have measures in place, it won't be fair to the little ones for us grown ups to stay away from them, wear masks etc.

Just wondering what everyone's views/opinions on returning are? Smile

OP posts:
Maryann1975 · 11/05/2020 15:16

I’m a childminder. From what I’ve just read we can start back later this week. I’m concerned and not sure I’m ready to have all the Dc back yet.

Littleelffriend · 11/05/2020 15:42

Yes, would send her in tomorrow (Scotland here). I can’t work from home anymore trying to entertain a 4 year old, I’m exhausted

ScarfLadysBag · 11/05/2020 15:55

I've been thinking about this a bit lately. DD is 15mo and was due to start a lovely little nursery for just 1.5 days a week to give me some time to work during the day (self-employed). Obviously that's been delayed, but I'm wrestling with whether to send her in or not when they reopen (we are in Scotland so not sure when they might be) when we don't strictly need to.

On one hand, I know the three of us (me, DH and DD) are healthy people and young and at low risk from it. On the other, it feels like it's maybe an unnecessary risk given we don't need to do it for work purposes and she could stay home with no real impact to us.

I think we will need to sit down and discuss it when we have a better idea of timescale.

Original poster
NJDO · 11/05/2020 15:59

It's such a difficult situation isn't it! I miss the children and my staff team terribly but it's going be such a risk having full rooms again

Prior to lock down we had between 3-5 children in a day and had one room open with two staff in and myself and deputy in the office/kitchen - before the whole situation we had a minimum of 15 children in each room.

I work for a chain so I luckily don't have to make the decision myself but I'm getting very nervous!!

Thanks for your replies so far Grin

OP posts:
PulpHorn · 11/05/2020 16:01

It's not completely risk free but I would send my nearly 3 year old back. As the weeks have gone on she's starting to suffer a bit and she is desperate to go back. Weighing things up we're young and healthy and would be careful. I know not everyone's circumstances are the same. I wouldn't if I had a shy child who loved being at home

Michelleoftheresistance · 11/05/2020 16:02

Looks from the wording that for schools there's a mention of 'smaller' groups as if not all kids in all the time, which has been mooted before. This isn't financially viable for early years providers. Also nothing as yet mentioned about school wraparound care.

ZsaZsaMc · 11/05/2020 16:03

Yes, I have a 2 year old and we are both trying to work normally from home - and it’s not sustainable for much longer. Normally my DC would attend nursery Monday - Thursday (4days).

If it was a case of wait until September and then it will be fine, then perhaps I would feel differently but as it is coronavirus is not going to go away and I need to work.

There is a risk but there is a risk with everything.

ZsaZsaMc · 11/05/2020 16:05

If people can manage to keep their children at home or do not need to work (nursery workers included) that is fair enough - but that is a privilege.

stardance · 11/05/2020 16:06

I work in a nursery. We've stayed open for key workers children only- started with 8 staff (the rest on furlough, me included) and around 15 children a day at most. We're now at around 20 children per day as more parents have gone back to work/ can no longer manage with working from home.

If all children come back we're not far off 100 children at a time with 30 staff. Like you say, social distancing is impossible. PPE not practical and unsettling for children. I'm terrified to be honest.

I've seen people reassuring themselves and others that children aren't likely to get it, if they do it'll be mild.... what about the staff caring for them? Children can pass it on with little or no symptoms. It seems like it's a case of 'oh well, tough shite, parents need to work.'

Elsa8 · 11/05/2020 16:06

I won’t be sending my DD. I’ll actually be withdrawing her place as she starts school in September and I don’t think it would be safe to send her before then at least.

LajesticVantrashell · 11/05/2020 16:06

Yes, I will. CV will be a risk for months to come, well into next year. Me and DH are both WFH, struggling, getting by on annual leave and the good will of our managers. We can't do this indefinitely. DS hasn't played with another child for almost eight weeks. He's desperate to go back.

BertNErnie · 11/05/2020 16:07

I'm hoping the guidance helps clarify exactly who will and won't be opening. We have a childcare section of our nursery and a general 15hrs section.

I don't think those in receipt of 15hrs will be back in our setting but those who are full time (so 30hrs) will be where possible.

YouAndMeAndTheDevilMakesThree · 11/05/2020 16:08

No, but mostly because I'm due DC2 any day now. Sending DC1 back to nursery will be our household's biggest infection risk so will most likely wait till baby is a bit bigger - July at the very earliest.

whipdido · 11/05/2020 16:12

My child went back to nursery last week as I'm a key worker and needed to go back. He loves it, I feel bad if I think about the risk of infection but I guess we have to try and get some normality back at some point.

MoonBabysMagicalKalimba · 11/05/2020 16:12

My 18 month old will be going back. DH is a key worker and I've been trying to work from home whilst entertaining DC and it's impossible, I can't work properly and it's so unfair on DC.

I'm really resenting the implication from a lot of people online that those who would send their DC back to school/nursery are dicing with death, murderers, and don't care about their children or the vulnerable. Being able to keep your children home long term with no financial repercussions to your family is a very privileged position to be in.

MindyStClaire · 11/05/2020 16:13

I'll be sending DD whenever hers is open again. I wouldn't be expecting social distancing between the children, or the staff and children. I'll be happy to comply with whatever the manager needs in terms of part-time hours, pick up and drop off arrangements etc to reduce the risk.

But ultimately, DD is healthy and it's hard to be at lower risk than her. If we're both working from home, the risk to our household would be very low.

Concerned7777 · 11/05/2020 16:16

My understanding was that paid childcare such as private nurseries could re open now along with child minders and Nannys. My interpretation of Nursery going back on the 1st June would be the government funded 3/4 yo children.

insancerre · 11/05/2020 16:16

I work in a nursery and we haven’t been closed, although we have been quieter, we’ve had about 10- 20% of children in
I expect most of the children will return if they are able to from 1st June

kirinm · 11/05/2020 16:17

My DD is with a childminder rather than nursery but if she does reopen we will be sending DD. There is clearly no way such small children can social distance so I think it has to be a collective effort between setting and parents to do all they can to reduce the risk. The risk isn't going away but if families are honest, don't bring their kids in when they have a cough or temp - or the setting ensures temps are taken everyday, then it will be down to each individual parent as to whether they are prepared to take the risk (and obviously the individual childminders / nurseries). It has to happen at some point. It will be an anxious time for everyone but what is the alternative? No childcare until a vaccine?

KatnissMellark · 11/05/2020 16:18

No, but I'm pregnant and shortly to have a newborn. DS can stay home with me til we deem it within our personal risk acceptance level which may be a while yet as I'm in the vulnerable group for a number of other reasons as well as pregnancy.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 11/05/2020 16:18

I wonder how many Nursery and School staff caught the virus before they closed?

Original poster
NJDO · 11/05/2020 16:18

@MoonBabysMagicalKalimba
I agree, I definitely don't agree with people who are making others feel bad for sending their children back either! We were originally open for key workers but due to low numbers we were closed and I felt absolutely awful even though it wasn't my decision!!

I guess as long as we are given the proper guidance and tools we need to keep the children and staff safe then all will be good!! x

OP posts:
Sweetpea84 · 11/05/2020 16:19

If my sons pre school reopens he’s going he needs it and he’s starting reception in Sept

DonnaDarko · 11/05/2020 16:21

I would definitely send DS in. Our nursery were so careful before, ensuring the kids were washing their hands regularly and deep cleaning every night. Plus, he misses the social part of nursery and is getting a bit clingy. He starts school this year so I want him to get used to NOT being at home all the time too.

Plus, to be perfectly blunt, I need a break

okiedokieme · 11/05/2020 16:22

Childminders are ok to open from Wednesday. Parents will make the call themselves but most are desperate for childcare

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