My cynical view on why they are making sure they open primary schools ASAP

[DebbieFiderer]

It's simple really - if they get primary school pupils back before the end of the summer term then it is business as usual in terms of childcare and they don't have to keep schools open over the summer holidays for keyworker children. Anyone else think I am right, or am I being overly cynical and they genuinely think it's the right thing to do for the kids?

It's not an education-based decision. Easier to catch the youngest children up as they have far longer ahead of them in school. Most other countries do even have their kids in school at this age.

@MarshaBradyo I would be happy to pay for childcare over the summer, the issue is if they will allow private providers to provide holiday care? It’s unclear if all primary school children will be allowed into holiday care or only key-workers. I imagine if it’s just keyworkers many providers will say it is uneconomic you run. The guidance is very quiet on this issue. My children go to a holiday club at their school and so I’m hoping they will still be allowed to run. I presume they are waiting to see if we have another spike before they decide what will be allowed (if primary kids all go back in and no spike they will allow holiday provision)

@DippyAvocado Absolutely. Some of the best education systems in the world don’t have children starting until 7.

I am usually very supportive of teachers but I’ve been disgusted by the unions and they’re response to Covid. I only hope the teachers on Mums we are not representative of teachers nationwide because the neurotic, illogical, stubborn refusal to go back to work is showing them in a very poor light.

I read someone on a previous thread talking about teachers suffering “viral load”. Experts aren’t even sure this is a thing but if it is it applies to health workers, people in close contact with infected patients - not children who more than likely don’t even have it.

Demanding plastic visors, gloves and protective clothing - it’s absurd!! You are more likely to catch it going to the supermarket than from a child at school. Children need to be at school and teachers need to get back to work. For the anxious, the best treatment is to get back to work and bring some normality and realism to your life.

The OP suggests that if schools go back, they will not have to keep them open for key worker kids over the summer. Where did that idea come from? That was never going to happen anyway. The mental gymnastics of it.....

SpokeTooSoon

It's not all teachers I've said on every thread that I'm happy to go back to school whenever. I just want the government's expectations and assurances to parents re what it's going to look like in terms of social distancing etc to be realistic and honest.

I'd happily go back

Just a had a thought. How are schools going to deal with a child who might start to show symptoms? Surely that child would need isolating and then the school deep cleaned? How are schools going to afford that? It could happen on an almost daily basis if a child did have a coughing fit at school.

teachers need to get back to work

Although, for the umpteenth time, we are still working...

Where did that idea come from? That was never going to happen anyway.

Presumably because many schools have been open over Easter holidays, on bank holidays and will be open over Whit week.

If families have been isolating properly then very few children will have the virus at the moment.
If children go back to school,they will mingle and we will soon find out how/if it spreads.I haven't seen any reporting that teachers looking after keyworkers children (who by definition are the biggest risk to the staff)have been overwhelmed by illness.
School will not be normal because you have to account for staff who are sheilding/vunerable.Also many parents will keep their children at home.
I have also read about teachers bleaching everything at the end of the day.Whiping work surfaces yes.Toys,pencils?If we accept they small children will pass anything on as they are social animals then more than normal cleaning of things they use will make no difference.Teachers need a big bottle of hand gel that they use themselves a lot and for children before meals.
Summer break should be as normal.Some teachers have already given up Easter and they are not paid for school holidays.Also they need time for their children and the country needs time to assess what impact sending the children back has.
The prediction seems to be that if the rest of us still manage social distancing and are sensible the schools will not make a major difference.If this is true them we can worry less about all schools resuming in September.
However this will only work if the British public don't go nuts over summer and start garden parties etc.

You are more likely to catch it going to the supermarket than from a child at school

Yes, a 30 minute trip to the supermarket with social distancing in place is equal to spending a whole day in a school with numerous children

Begrudging teachers PPE yet expecting them to risk their health to educate your children or be the childcare .... really?

teachers need to get back to work

How many teachers are not working now?

All the people raging that the govt is 'prioritising the economy over health'. Yes, yes they are! Why shouldn't they? In a years time if we are still in lockdown but you've lost your home, your job, your car and you're up to your eyeballs in debt and cant afford to eat all to stop you from the small chance of catching something that may have a small chance of being fatal then I think you would be a bit miffed the govt didn't prioritise the economy!

SpokeTooSoon - maybe they should let grandparents see and hug their grandchildren before sending them back to school in large numbers, then - if it’s proven that small children are that safe to be around, then why not? Maybe because they still don’t actually know?

Hagis, I think lots will have been following the stay at home guidance and not mixing but I’ve seen and know of many who haven’t and have watched the children playing together or visiting family. There are many who don’t think the rules apply to them.

Strawberry if primary children are all back at school I don’t see why not but yes agree not much guidance yet.

How are schools going to deal with a child who might start to show symptoms?

I think they have to self isolate & if it's a confirmed case the "bubble" that child has been in has to then self isolate.

.I haven't seen any reporting that teachers looking after keyworkers children (who by definition are the biggest risk to the staff)have been overwhelmed by illness.

This would be useful data, from my understanding the take up has been pretty small as most key workers are only using the service without any other option. But I don't know the whole picture.

Deep cleaning if one person gets the virus.
I work with n the NHS looking after Covid patients.
If a member of staff becomes I'll they go home immediately and a test is organised for them the next day,this needs to be in place for all pupils and school staff.
We do not clean the coffee rooms,offices,computers,changing areas,corridors and we are not going down like flies.The staff that seem to be at risk are those that have spent time with this staff member,as we interact without ppe .Not many of us though seem to be getting it though so far.
What we do do is gel and handwash a lot.I recommend teachers get some good hand cream too and slather it on in bed then your hands will survive.

If they get the primary school children back first, then parents can get back to work. With the best will in the world the government have to try and get the country back on it's feet economically.

I haven't seen any reporting that teachers looking after keyworkers children (who by definition are the biggest risk to the staff)have been overwhelmed by illness

Some schools having to close due to lack of teachers and keyworkers children suddenly been sent to other schools across town.. Teachers suddenly expected to pick up the workload of their colleagues, I would call that a sign.

IndiaMay
when you are struggling to breathe and will be suffering from ill health and will be unable to work, you might have another opinion.

A stricter lockdown that clearly worked abroad would have been my preferred option, instead of allowing pretty much everything to stay open here.

@IndiaMay where has the narrative come from that the vast majority of the population who are not working & have been furloughed is because of childcare? And that's the major factor affecting the economy.

From looking at the furlough data the industries most affected are hospitality, recreation, arts, entertainment. They aren't going to suddenly be back to normal in June, even with childcare.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/23/hotels-restaurants-and-pubs-have-furloughed-80-of-staff-ons-finds

the neurotic, illogical, stubborn refusal to go back to work is showing them in a very poor light.
Firstly, no one has "refused" to do anything. Yet. The details of what is expected to happen are still emerging.
Secondly, there is no issue of "going back" to work, as we have been working continuously since Lockdown began.
I would say that it's your illogical and stubborn refusal to read the facts and see what is ACTUALLY happening that is the issue here.

&Just a had a thought. How are schools going to deal with a child who might start to show symptoms?*

From the gov guidance I've just read...

Where the child, young person or staff member tests positive, the rest of their class or group within their childcare or education setting should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

Apparently, tests will be available to us in the event that anyone develops covid symptoms.