Will you be sending your child into nursery in June?

[YakkityYakYakYak]

Sorry if this topic has already been done to death.

DD (11 months) was supposed to be starting nursery last month; that was obviously postponed. They’ve left a voicemail for me to call them today to schedule settling in sessions for when they open in June. I’m so torn about whether I want to send her in.

DH and I have both been working from home since beginning April in fairly senior roles. It’s so stressful trying to do my job with her around, most of my time is spent in virtual meetings trying to talk and play with her, feed her, etc at the same time. She’s happy enough but it can’t be massively stimulating for her. So it would be a massive relief to be able to send her to nursery, get on with our jobs and then be able to properly focus on her on my days off. And I’m hoping that it would be good for her to have a couple of days a week where she can be properly entertained.

But it just feels slightly terrifying to send my child out into the world when I’m still working from home and locked down in the house all day. I feel like I’ve lost all perspective on what the risk actually is.

It would be useful to know what other parents in similar situations are thinking.

I am sending my dd 3 in June but my council have just announced they are not opening our schools on 1st June. Not sure whether the nurserys will be open or not now.

Yes! Spent a lot of time agonising over this choice.

Yes we will. My dd 3 misses her friends so much and she desperately wants to go back. But actually all of our family very likely had coronavirus and recovered although we hadn't tested.

@zigzagbetty are you in Liverpool ?

We will be singing our 2 year old back on 1st September.

Nursery have just sent their new guidelines, parents are not allowed in the building, staff and children must wash their hands when entering and leaving, bedding to be taken home and changed daily, sleeping to be 2 meters apart, no playdoh, baking or sand trays and as much time spent outdoors as possible.

Whilst I realise there is still a risk I am confident they are doing a lot to minimise that risk.

Thanks all; really useful to hear your views.

Had a chat with MIL earlier, she’s happy to have her for 2 days per week (instead of, not as well as, nursery). PILs are early 60’s, generally healthy and not leaving the house to go to work, so it feels like a pretty low risk option. DD is also their only grandchild and they are desperately missing her and I know she’ll have their undivided attention while she’s there. I’m not too worried about her missing out on nursery for now as she’s still fairly young.

I need to have a chat with the nursery really but if they are looking to reduce numbers to help with social distancing, it might be mutually beneficial to delay her start there. My salary has also been cut significantly for the next few months so it would be helpful to not have to worry about nursery fees!

@bellsbuss yes we are, our rates haven't slowed as much.

Fab about MIL, lucky you (and DD!)
FWIW that seems a very sensible solution.

anotheremma exactly my thinking too!

Good to hear op, I think I'll be doing the same.

Sorry to come back to it but I think this morning I'm having a particularly low moment and I'm one more tantrum away from taking the kids to my mums ... how does everyone (who has mentioned it) on this thread reconcile the fact that we aren't meant to 'mix households' with the need to use grandparents as child care?
I am worried about doing this if my parents are going to be reported or fined! Or do you think they will announce some household mixing is allowed around the same time?

Yes definitely

Why are people saying no?

To risk potential death or life long health complications? Nope, homeschooling it is, but you do you.

I would if I had to but I am furloughed until at least early July so I’m keeping her home with me. She is only 18 MO though so I’m not that concerned about the lack of socialising etc. If she was a bit older I probably would send her sooner. My DH is high risk so while I have the option to keep her home with me I am doing. Nursery have said they are happy for children to return any point through June until early July so I’ve told them early July.