Nurseries attached to primary school

[Bearspears]

I have a four year old due to start at primary school in September and they currently attend the nursery class of the school they will be going to. Does anyone know if the school has to open the nursery class from 1st June? A local pre school has been told they need to open for over 3's and I wondered if this might apply to primary schools too.

My ds goes to afternoon nursery attached to a school, and I was told he could go back. I probably won't send him though. He's only 3, and won't understand social distancing at all.

It says in the guidance that they should open if they can but it seems my sons won't be and his friends school have said they can't open their nursery either.

The guidance says that if schools can’t manage to accommodate YN, YR, Y1 and Y6 then the priority is nursery, followed by reception and then year 1. Year 6 isn’t even mentioned isn’t hat part of the document!

I teach in a nursery attached to a school and should say that I have nearly 60 children. We are thinking we will run 4 bubbles of 15 kids one day a week each. I was hoping to be in for all the groups but was told yesterday I probably wouldn’t be allowed as the bubbles have to be separate with separate teacher, TA and even separate toys.

I’m gutted really because (although I think it’s too early to go back and I am worried about bringing the virus home to my own kids) I hate the thought of my littlies coming in and expecting to see me and having a teacher they don’t know.

Thank you, it's really useful to hear what's happening elsewhere. @notsafetogo surprising to hear they have to prioritise nursery. I wonder what the reasoning is?!

I'm not sure I'd send my child but I haven't heard anything from the school so I'm not sure it's even an option.

My ds is in nursey due to start in September he wont be returning till September he doesnt understand social distancing and I rather have those extra months for things to be in place come September.

bearspears I don’t know the reasoning behind it but I wonder if it is related to deprived children falling behind if they don’t get access to early support. The reasoning behind the 2 year funding is that the early years are really crucial to the learning and development of children from deprived households and to prevent them from falling behind and staying behind long term.

I think the most likely reason is that it’s harder to work from home with a toddler. I admit I am cynical though, I don’t trust this government for one second!

@Notsafetogo where does it say that about nursery? Not questioning what you've read I'd just like to find it to show a friend.

What you've said about expecting you and getting a different teacher is why my son won't be going. He has really struggled to settle and I know he would find it hard. Come september he will be expecting a different teacher anyway.

One thing I don't understand about this is the guidance gives priority to the youngest children in primary schools. However the guidance also says for nurseries that they should give priority to the oldest children, i.e. kids 3+. Why is that? Why is a school to prioritise their nursery children, but a day nursery to prioritise their youngest children? Especially because if this is for childcare, the youngest children in all settings require childcare the most, clearly. Odd.

*day nursery to prioritise their oldest children

I'm waiting till September now.

Government advice says to prioritise early years, Year R, 1 and 6. www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/reopening-schools-and-other-educational-settings-from-1-june

Its better to read the published guidance than rely on what they say in the announcements.

I guess because 3+ year olds benefit from the education aspect of nursery more than babies, plus they have higher ratios.

As a parent (personally) I find it easier to wfh with a baby than my 4 year old!

@Treaclepie19 not sure to be honest, my head teacher told me yesterday. I will find out for you though.
It’s such a rubbish situation. Some of my kids will be going on to different primary schools in September and I will really miss seeing them before they go. It’s really sad.
@MeadowHay it’s crazy, none of it really makes any sense. I’m sure there is an underlying plan somewhere.

Ok @Treaclepie19 it’s in the implementation DFE document where it talks about what to do if schools can’t manage everybody.

Brill thank you :)
It's so sad for all involved. My sons nursery teacher has worked so hard with him to help him enjoy school and was planning to help him with the transition to reception and its all just fallen apart.

I’m sorry for your son. One of the little girls in my class is in the keyworker kids group. She’s always so relieved when it’s my day on the rota. It’s so strange for her being mixed in with older children, having different teachers and not in our classroom. I long to just have them all together again to check on my vulnerables and make sure my gang are all doing ok.
Bloody stupid Covid!!!

Thank you @Notsafetogo.
It's so hard for them and for you I'm sure.
I was a nursery teacher before my son and I know how heartbroken I'd be in this situation.