Will staff at your nursery be wearing masks?

[C33P0]

We just got the new guidelines for nursery, and staff will be able to choose whether or not to wear masks. The ones doing the handover with parents at the front door will be additionally wearing a visor.

I understand the reasoning, but it doesn't sit well with me. What is everyone else's nursery doing?

What would you like them to do.. I’m curious, I run a nursery and this has come up so many times with staff we just go back and forward over the issue of masks. We are told to look to European countries, they are all wearing mask and some are social distancing very small children.
We aren’t social distancing and there needs to be some protection, but equally it will be a very scary place. There was meant to be a tool kit published. We are still waiting.

I would like to get a parent perspective

In principle I don't mind if they choose to but would prefer a visor as my daughter needs to see their lips. My children are quite easy going and flexible. They're not easily phased but I imagine some would be.

They haven't said they will be though so I'm assuming not.

Ours are going to wear a visor but not mask.

We've just had a document today about our nursery's plans. Apparently the staff members who will be greeting children at the door and bringing them into their rooms will be in masks, but once inside, the staff in the rooms will not.

Freddie I'd rather they weren't wearing masks. I realise that puts nurseries between a rock and a hard place, and I have no alternative solution for the staffs' protection.

Ours have said they will be wearing PPE including masks, visors and gloves. I understand why, virus loading is a danger to them and they need to be exceptionally close to children to care for them. I wouldn't want to be responsible for making them ill. I would prefer them save over worrying about what they are wearing to keep them safe.

My youngest won't be going back, I'll be at home so don't need to burden them at this time but I'll continue to pay for their place regardless.

I didn’t know this was a thing as our nursery has been open to the children of keyworkers and no PPE has been worn. The children aren’t socially distancing. Is this for private or school nurseries?

If staff aren’t wearing masks then I wouldn’t send in my child

Simple as that!

Our American daycare is planning on masks for teachers and children that are 2 and up. No walks outside. Social distancing encouraged. We’ve given notice. I understand staff want to be protected and I don’t have better ideas either but if we don’t absolutely need to send DD to that environment then we won’t as we don’t see it as remotely positive for her.

No - our nursery has been open for key workers, and they say they tried masks to begin with but it didn't work at all - the children need to see faces, and too uncomfortable for the staff to wear all day. Their priority is to minimise adult to adult transmission, and to make it as normal as possible for the children. Very sensible

@C33P0.
Are you anti mask in general? Or would you wear one shopping?

I’m a pro mask wearer and who like to see children in schools wearing visors as standard but in not sure about nursery age.

If they are, my almost 2 year old won't be going. I think it's hugely important at that age for them to see facial expressions. Plus it looks like her big brother is going to be part time at school (we are in Scotland) so one of us will need to be at home anyway. I'm probably biased though as I hate masks (haven't found one I can wear without triggering my ptsd) and I'm not comfortable talking to anyone wearing them because I panic I'm interpreting incorrectly.

I use to work in a private nursery 6 months to 5 years, and i just dont know how social distancing or wearing masks / PPE would work.

Wouldn't send a small child into that environment.

Ours aren’t asking staff to (except those greeting at the gate) but they have the option to do so.

Ours have said that staff won't be wearing masks as it face to face communication is too important.

Don't really see how anyone could see otherwise.

If wearing a mask makes the difference between safe and dangerous in a nursery, then they should be closed

We are told to look to European countries, they are all wearing mask and some are social distancing very small children.

There are lots of countries in Europe. I’m in Holland, there’s no social distancing at school (or day care) for under-12s. Masks are discouraged at nurseries because it’s not good for the children’s emotional security or learning. (The nursery I’m involved with does not permit masks, for that reason.)

At my German nursery the teachers only wear masks at handover at the front door (so do the parents). (The nursery is not fully open yet by the way) There is no social distancing as such but the kids have to stay in their small groups, lots of outdoor play etc

Mine has said staff can wear masks if they want and will wear at drop off. I will not be sending my 2 year old in if there will be staff wearing masks all day. He is scared of the masks when we see them. This on top of limited outside play and water/sand/soft toys being taken away it doesn’t feel like a positive environment, just an anxious one.

GenerateUsername thanks for sharing, I’m from the Netherlands and have been wondering what nurseries there do. It seems extreme here. Ditto playgrounds.

DD has been going to nursery the entire time. No masks. She wouldn't like it (she's seen me in one and got worked up) and I'm sure other children wouldn't either.

My son is at special school where the children have severe learning difficulties and asd and there is physical contact between staff and pupils. Staff do not wear masks. Drop off and pick up is staggered and done outside of the building with as far as possible social distancing between adults. School transport staff do wear masks and he has accepted that but at his level of development, it wouldn't work with people he spends all day with and is supposed to be interacting and communicating with.

Mine have said they will in their proposals. My son is very sensitive and is really scared when he sees people in public with them. Obviously I've tried to explain to him and he will have to get used to them but we have the option not to send him so I probably won't. He will be starting school in September though.

Mine has sent their risk assessment over prior to opening and the only mention of mask wearing is if a child needs to be isolated due to showing symptoms whilst waiting for pick up. Have to assume that means not wearing the rest of the time.