Would you send your DC to preschool/nursery even though you don't need the childcare?

[asclearasmud]

DD's Preschool are planning on reopening on the 1st of June as per the government guidelines. Before lockdown DD went to Preschool 3 days a week, which allowed me to have some time to study for a qualification as I'm a SAHM trying to get back into work. I'm debating whether to send her back once they reopen as technically I'm not working so she doesn't NEED to go back. She's missing it terribly and I really miss being able to study. Should I send her? Will you be sending your DC into childcare even if they don't need it?

Not in June, maybe in September if the situation has improved (they are testing and tracing).

Definitely not in June. No way I'd take the risk for my child, but also not fair on staff.

I was planning on DS who is 2 going back full time but have since been put on furlough.

While I am on furlough I still plan on sending him for at least 2 days as soon as nursery opens. I would send him for more if I could afford it.

I am assessing the risk and on balance despite him being mildly asthmatic, it is not beneficial for him to remain at home all the time. He is an only child who has been in nursery full time since 10 months old. He is speech delayed and started making progress but has been set back now. He is starting to act out. His behaviour is worsening being at home. I am also suffering from depression and am not the best mum. Honestly if I could afford it he would go in for more days.

I've been wondering this but for September. I wouldn't take her at the moment but I think I would in September, which seems a bit silly because it will still be here then

I am going to be sending DS.

I will continue to assess the risk but in June I plan to send him. By late September I wonder if we’ll be going into lockdown again and it it’ll be closed.

It depends on whether they’ll have other options for socialisation available by then, e.g. playgroups, even if only outdoors. But my general instinct is to say no, there will be people who are in need of it and it’s not a risk worth taking for me.

I am a sahm and dont need the childcare but would like to send my youngest back to nursery as soon as they can take her. Even a few hours a week would be better than nothing. It's not for my benefit, it's for hers. She misses her friends and teachers terribly.

Nope

Yep

I’m on maternity leave & will be sending my elder daughter back in June if they open. She loves nursery & has no underlying conditions. I don’t believe there is much risk to healthy children, no more than regular flu or other childhood illnesses. It’s my opinion she deserves some focused attention from adults who are not severely sleep deprived, trying to work full time (Dad) & spending all day trying to stop a colicky baby crying. Poor kid is watching hours of TV, I feel awful. I can’t wait for her to have children to play with again & get back to fun learning & playing.

And on a selfish level, I need a break. I need a couple days off every room in my house being a total mess. I need a couple days to nap when the baby naps. I need a couple days of quiet & to just cuddle my newborn without the awful guilt of not paying my 3 year old attention 😞

So yep, no guilt at sending her back. I’ll be pretty heartbroken if they change their minds on them opening 😂

Yep definitely - my son is really missing his friends.

I'm in 2 minds, my dd is 4 and will be starting school in September.
She has been at the nursery a year last April and she had coronavirus symptoms just before lockdown so we had to self isolate.
She is very shy and doesn't speak to the staff, she was just beginning to when all this happened.
She also has speech delay so really she needs to be
But of course I'm worried about the virus and the staff its just so difficult to know what to do for the best.

Yes if there's enough space for dc2, like pp i wonder for more sickness- be it coronavirus or flu in October which will lead to nursery closure or room isolations.

yep (though I need childcare). None in my family is vulnerable or shielding. The DC are struggling massively with the lockdown and so do we as parents (there are also some SEN involved which make it extra tough). I don't know anyone who died of Corona but I know of 2 people who commited suicide under the Lockdown.

Life seems to have become all about avoiding Covid for some. I think some people on here are frankly bonkers. It is about finding a balanced approach- esp as it will be around for a long time. Are you planning on hiding with your kids at home u til the virus has been eradicated? How many years would that be???