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Original poster

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

237 replies

DebbieFiderer · 12/05/2020 06:44

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?

OP posts:
FirTree31 · 12/05/2020 11:31

Economy and health are interwoven, they link, raise and fall with each other.

I have mixed feelings about it, but childcare wise, I have a 5 and 9 year old, neither could be left without supervision (of course), so I will continue to WFH (if I still. Have a job) even when youngest goes back.

BovaryX · 12/05/2020 11:31

Where did I do that?

@foggybits

Do you have any comment on the detailed reply I have written to your question?

RandomlyChosenName · 12/05/2020 11:38

bananas your school sounds brilliant.

As I said before, some schools are doing brilliantly. Some are not. Some teachers (on the guidance of their SLT) are working very very hard teaching the children still. Some are definitely not and are not really working at all.

If I complained to the school, I can guarantee they won’t suddenly start teaching the children again. They won’t restructure their plan because I complain.

However, I am not keen for my children to go back to school.

foggybits · 12/05/2020 11:48

@BovaryX

Is their evidence that childcare for young dc is the reason people are furloughed?

Didn't see a reply to this....

Will the industries affected the most by furloughing be open in June without constraints?

Your detailed reply didn't tell me anything.

If there is evidence that childcare is the reason people are not working & are furloughed then I'm not sure how smaller classes, potential p/t options, not all years back, staggered drop offs, lack of wraparound care will help the economy.

didn't see any reply to this either?

bananaskinsnomnom · 12/05/2020 11:51

Thank you @RandomlyChosenName, I do think my school is doing a good job which is why I get so annoyed at all school staff being thrown together. And sadly I agree that some schools won’t listen to complaints. It’s a real shame how different it is across the board - I suppose all I’m asking for is for people to apply common sense!

It’s also so evident from these boards - so many parents are criticising teachers for not wanting to return but on the next thread “I’m not sending my child in until there’s a vaccine!” And a thousand people agreeing.

Who of us honestly has the answer? Please?

BovaryX · 12/05/2020 11:57

@foggybits

I don't know what constraints will be in place in June on the hospitality sector. Does anyone? I don't know what percentage of parents will be able to work as a consequence of primary school resuming. Do you? But the answer isn't zero. Is it?

Pomegranatepompom · 12/05/2020 11:58

I like the school my DC attend and the teachers, but the worksheets have been poor, probably take maximum 2-3 hours to compile each week, no feedback or interaction. We’ve been doing lots of other activities: crafting/baking. They only have 4-7 attending school each day so imo, they could have provided more support.
It’s a shame the provision has been so diverse. Sounds like some schools have been fab.

foggybits · 12/05/2020 12:04

I agree that schools returning is symbolic but I don't think schools reopening is a magic bullet for the economy because
I know that every person who works doesn't have young dc or even any.
I know that families with young dc don't always have both parents working.
Of those that do, one is likely to be part time.
For those that do work in whatever capacity many already have flexibility & can remotely work.
I know that many parents with young dc are currently wfh.
I know that there will likely be some extension to furloughing because it's industry specific.

Cookiecrisps · 12/05/2020 12:07

@mummytippy I agree with you with regards to leaving a yr 7/8 child at home alone but the practicalities of opening up secondary schools is complicated by transport (many students use public transport to get to school) and timetables as students move rooms for different subjects depending on groups and equipment needed.

I’ve had to leave my 12 year old year 8 on her own for 10 hour days to look after key worker children at my primary school but this hasn’t been on consecutive days so far and we added family to phone her throughout the day to check on her. I decided it was less risky to do that than send her in to the secondary school on a key worker place as it’s adding more contacts into the mix. Now faced with going back on June 1st and leaving her at home alone for several days a week or sending her to secondary. I’m grateful to at least have the option though. 12 and 13 is a tricky age as the children need independence but often need an adult around at least part of the day too.

LaurieMarlow · 12/05/2020 12:09

I know that many parents with young dc are currently wfh

Yes many are. Many are at breaking point because looking after children and doing a full time job at the same time is unsustainable and not fair on anyone.

Many of them are limited in what they can actually do to keep businesses going until the childcare is sorted out. I’m servicing about 10% of ‘regular’ business right now and that won’t change until we’re up and running more normally.

foggybits · 12/05/2020 12:11

If you believe this

I don't know what percentage of parents will be able to work as a consequence of primary school resuming.

maybe don't state this

People need to return to work which means primary school children, the demographic least affected by the virus need to return to school.

www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/familiesandthelabourmarketengland/2019#employment-rates-for-parents-in-the-uk

foggybits · 12/05/2020 12:13

Many are at breaking point because looking after children and doing a full time job at the same time is unsustainable and not fair on anyone.

I haven't disagreed with this, my point was that not everyone furloughed has small dc & won't be back working once schools open.

LaurieMarlow · 12/05/2020 12:16

not everyone furloughed has small dc & won't be back working once schools open.

Not everyone, but many are.

There are also many are working, but not at full power and cannot until schools are open.

Businesses will be taking that hit until the situation is sorted, so more and more redundancies piling up.

OneandTwenty · 12/05/2020 12:19

Many are at breaking point because looking after children and doing a full time job

to be fair, many posters are "at breaking point" at the end of every single half term and school holiday, and it has nothing to do with their job. Some people can't stand spending time with their own kids. Pretty sure there are also threads about managing a SUNDAY with the kids.

Just read the many MANY thread on here about it.

BovaryX · 12/05/2020 12:21

but I don't think schools reopening is a magic bullet for the economy

@foggybits

I never suggested that opening primary schools was a magic bullet. I suggested it was a symbolic and practical step. There is no magic bullet. Not for the virus. Not for the economy. There are difficult decisions, compromises, risks. Economic survival and recovery will depend upon adaptability, flexibility, rather than intransigence. Time will tell which feature dominates the landscape in the UK.

LaurieMarlow · 12/05/2020 12:22

Some people can't stand spending time with their own kids

God, this is such a shitty comment when I’m seeing the pressure people with highly demanding jobs who also have young children are under. Hmm

Trust me, sleeping four hours a night isn’t sustainable in the long term.

foggybits · 12/05/2020 12:23

Businesses taking the biggest hit will be those in the most affected industries. You could have all the parents who work in hospitality & aviation back in work tmw, they will still be facing potential redundancies.

Also schools aren't going back in their "normal" capacity so working parents will still find it tough to be as productive as normal.

LaurieMarlow · 12/05/2020 12:26

Businesses taking the biggest hit will be those in the most affected industries

Sure. However the vast majority of sectors are affected one way or the other. That’s a depression for you.

so working parents will still find it tough to be as productive as normal.

We’ll take any improvement on the current situation. A block of a few hours here or there would be very welcome.

OneandTwenty · 12/05/2020 12:26

LaurieMarlow
Again, I refer you to the MANY threads on MN about it. I am not making anything up!

You don't even have to wait for the summer holidays to see them popping up.

TriangleBingoBongo · 12/05/2020 12:27

Some people can't stand spending time with their own kids

After several weeks juggling working from home and simultaneously caring for my 13 month old, all I have is a warm fuzzy feeling owing to all that quality time we’ve spent together.

OneandTwenty · 12/05/2020 12:27

Trust me, sleeping four hours a night isn’t sustainable in the long term.

people who are so overworked that they physically cannot find more than 4 hours to sleep don't waste time on MN...

TriangleBingoBongo · 12/05/2020 12:28

A block of a few hours here or there would be very welcome.

Absolutely

BovaryX · 12/05/2020 12:28

@foggybits

Do you understand the meaning of symbolic gesture? Primary school children returning to school is a signal that the virus hasn't completely changed the landscape. Not that all parents are magically liberated from their offspring.

LaurieMarlow · 12/05/2020 12:29

I’m not saying there aren’t threads.

To equate that kind of whinging with the serous pressure working parents are under right now is shitty.

This will give you a sense

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3902119-is-it-just-me-or-is-this-working-from-home-with-children-completely-unsustainable

LaurieMarlow · 12/05/2020 12:31

people who are so overworked that they physically cannot find more than 4 hours to sleep don't waste time on MN...

The people I’m talking about aren’t on MN.

I’m not in such a bad position as many, but I am currently on a zoom meeting that I’m mentally checked out of (but have to attend) and am posting on here as a distraction. So shoot me.