Sending children back to nursery

[NJDO]

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?

*I sympathise but there are lots of people whose jobs mean they are placed at risk.

The country can’t afford for people to stay at home for much longer, and there may not be a job for you at the end of this if your nursery doesn’t start taking children back soon.
*
Absolutely agree, lots of people are putting themselves at risk. Not many jobs where it's normal to have someone sneeze or cough right in your face, wipe their nose on your clothing.....

Having no job to go back to is a worry of course. Not just for nursery staff but for all those who need the childcare.

I completely agree @MoonBabysMagicalKalimba. The vitriol I’ve seen in the last 24 hours on social media against working parents who simply can’t afford to be off work for 6 months is very disturbing. Some employers will expect their employees back to work as soon as childcare facilities reopen.

I'm concerned we might lose our place if we don't start attending when nursery reopens, but both myself and DH are furloughed (both hospitality industry) and won't be back at work until July at the earliest. We could afford one or two months, but not much longer especially as the furlough pay is likely to be cut significantly too.

I guess we will just have to suck it up and find the money as we need his place to return to work when told to and it has longer hours than most in the area which we need.

Yep. I will be sending Ds back when they open..

He's not seen another child for 7 weeks. He misses nursery and starts school in September so I want him to be prepared.

I also need to work. I'm currently furloughed until June but who knows after that..

I will, but mostly because I don’t feel I have an option. DS is 13 months and I’m WFH on my own with him. I’m not getting anything substantive done and frankly I’m not coping.

I'll definitely be sending my 4 year old back as soon as they open the doors. He has been really missing nursery and it is pretty much impossible for me to work from home with him around (dp is working out of the house).

A lot of posters seem to miss the point that, even if kids are at low risk from getting seriously ill, they can still transmit CV to those that are vulnerable. But that's ultimately the Government's risk to make a judgement call on and i will be sending my 4yo back but principally because his nursery shuts for school holidays so June would be my only month without him until September and I have a very grisly 4 month old to deal with.

I will if the nursery can ensure the same high level of care as before, continuity of care and settling in sessions.

I'm not worried about DD getting the virus, but what if lots of staff are off sick or shielding so there are lots of bank workers. And will I still be able to do the settling in sessions with her? I don't want her to be looked after by staff she doesn't know.

I posted this in the wrong group:

Have parents and carers read what the guidance as to what will now happen in nurseries?

I'm genuinely wondering as I'm so sad. It won't be what we left behind - not at all and it's going to be something very different than they are used to:

No toys with intricate parts.

No soft toys.

No soft furnishings.

Remove unnecessary items from classrooms and other learning environments and store them elsewhere.

Outdoor equipment should not be used unless the setting is able to ensure that it is appropriately cleaned between groups of children and young people using it, and that multiple groups do not use it simultaneously.

I'm wondering what happens if settings decide to boycott the guidance as that's my initial thought although I won't because I don't want to potentially put anyone at risk.

This will be expected for Reception classes too :(

I will have to send mine back if nurseries re-open and DH is asked to go back to work (currently furloughed) as we have no other options for childcare. I'm still working, and not from home. The only other option would be for me to take time off unpaid, but i imagine nurseries will start charging again when they re-open whether you use your space or not, so it wouldn't be worth it.

If DH remains furloughed then we'd probably just keep them at home.

God yes!! I don’t expect social distancing except with the parents- I consider the risk low for my child and our family so I’m happy for my LO to get back to some normality.

@LovesHisMummyReally that’s why the vulnerable are being asked to stay at home

Yes as soon as it is open. It doesn’t surprise me that of all the children, the guidance suggests prioritising 3-4 year olds. Mine is struggling and needs nursery for the stimulation and friendship angle and we just can’t work properly. The current situation isn’t ideal for the children at all. I am less certain for my baby. The benefits aren’t as clear cut but we can’t carry on as we are

Unfortunately I think we are all going to have to learn to live with the virus. Realistically, even if there is a vaccine next year, children are unlikely to be high up the queue in getting it. Normality won’t return for us all for a long time but for those who are vulnerable, I think the future is quite bleak and scary. It worries me how long my parents will have to be isolated. I can’t take the risk to see them and it is very painful to know that. It must be terribly worrying for parents who are shielding themselves or have vulnerable children.

Really torn, DD will be 3 in July she usually attends 4 full days per week. Currently both working at home and DD seems happy although we have some very exhausting days and not working at 100% capacity. Sounds like the children due to start school this year may be prioritised so DD may not be first lot back. Schools can split children up a bit easier during the initial return with so many other classes empty. Nursery will be business as usual from day 1 if all kids return at same time. So very limited ability to reduce group sizes. As soon as retail reopens I will not be working from home so I feel I'll need to send her so DH isn't FT at home and trying to work - I think I'd have felt more comfortable leaving nurseries until July earliest just to see the levels drop more - especially as summer holidays aren't a factor for private nurseries.
Keen to hear what our nursery communicate. DD very sociable and I'm sure this is all strange for her- but how alien is the environment going to be at nursery and how happy an environment will it be for them!!??

Happy to send DS back. I think he’s missing it and honestly there’s only so much we can do in this house to keep him stimulated and learning. Children are not supposed to live like this. I also really worry about his socialisation and he’s noticeably becoming increasingly clingier with me so a bit of a worry it’s going to be a struggle to settle him again. The nursery itself is wonderful, lots of outdoor play as standard and I have no doubts in their ability to look after themselves and the staff as well as following government advise.

Only apprehensions I’d have is if they would try to have any sort of social distancing (even those regulations on removing a lot of toys etc tugged my heart strings a bit) and on a personal note I’m hospitality furloughed so dependant on now that situation plays out I may not actually be able to afford nursery.

Mine is 2 and I wouldn't send back in June.

The nursery remained open for keyworker children and I think are keen to re open but how are the children and staff supposed to stay safe?
If my dc was upset I'd want staff to give cuddles- what happens if she coughs, will staff keep away?
Chances are most of the younger ones will go back and pick up a cough/ cold as they've been away from everything for a while so would have to stay away following rules which I totally get.
I don't want my child told she can't go near others as she's learning to share / take turns.
I don't want the staff potentially infecting her- as I'm sure they don't want her potentially infecting them!

Also, financially- I wouldn't want to suffer financially if I was told she could go back in June but I decided not to send her at first. I understand a 10/20% holding fee but not the full amount- would that be expected?

I feel for you op.

My toddler is one that catches everything at nursery. She's also a thumb sucker so that doesn't help. The kids all have blankets and or teddies for nap time too. Must be 12-15 kids in her room sometimes. The nursery has no space to split into smaller groups.

What choice do we have though when we have to go back to work?

I think nurseries should make contact with parents to see what they are dealing with.

It may be that half the patents don't send back yet which would possibly cut the numbers right down meaning the same rooms can be used with less kids... easier said though and the staff are still in the same situation unfortunately.

Childminders and nurseries can't open until 1st June at the earliest. Please don't ask your childminder to open on Wednesday: he or she can only take key workers at the moment.

The most recent guidance also says that we're expected to reduce numbers if it's necessary. That seems to be left up to us at the moment, but there is more guidance to come.

That's all Early Years settings, by the way, not just childminders. I expect we'll all be contacting parents to find out who will be returning and on what basis.

Yes, if he's allowed, as soon as he's allowed. 3 yo due to start school nursery in September. He needs the social interaction.

Our nursery had just sent a letter saying they are opening to all children on 1st June so I will be sending DD who is 3. It's been pretty impossible for both DH and I to WFH effectively.

A lot of staff are not happy at going back so soon so not sure if all children will be allowed back anyway.

I'm a bit worried too, the nursery has never been very clean. I was actually mentioning since lockdown my daughter has not been ill.

Even if less risk for my daughter, I would also be concerned that she could be the carrier and bring the virus home.

The nursery has said they will take full fees whether we bring the child in or not.

They have also changed their notice period from 1 month to 3 months, this was post lockdown which doesn't seem fair.