Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

First day back at school - how was it?

309 replies

snowballer · 01/06/2020 15:59

I have a child in Y1 and he's had a brilliant day. Around 20 of the class of 30 came back today, split into two groups across two classrooms. Nothing was terrifying, no weird chalk circles outside in which to play, and no prison like classrooms. All the children coming out at pick up were so happy to be back. Even the fact his best friend is in the other group didn't bother him!

How were your children's days if they went back today?

OP posts:
Tumbleweed101 · 02/06/2020 18:50

My dd (Y6) has really enjoyed her first couple days back. They have individual desks inside but spend lots of time outside and can play freely with those in their ‘bubble’. My dd says it was better than she expected.

MarcelineMissouri · 02/06/2020 18:59

We finally got the detailed information for our school - I have one in reception starting back next week. I knew this was a possibility but he is not with his old teacher which I am gutted about, especially as judging from our parents WhatsApp group most of his class that are going back are with her. His teacher is from another year, he doesn’t know her and she has not got the best reputation. Hooefully it will be fine.... 🤞🏻

Mildred007 · 02/06/2020 22:33

My eldest (yr 6) went back yesterday. She didn't want to and was really worried about it. I compromised and had agreed she would only have to go 2 days per week & we could discuss it once she'd tried it (headteacher was in agreement due to her anxiety). The whole way to school she cried, begging me not to send her & calling me a monster Sad She was greeted on the playground by her teacher & the head. I cried all the way home, thinking I'd made the wrong decision.

When I collected her she asked me if she could go 4 days instead of 2 and it was much better than she'd expected! (Fri is a half day so they can deep clean so she wanted to just stay home that day instead).

Today she has asked if she can go back every day inc the half day Friday!! Grin

There are 14 children in her class, they enter the classroom via the fire exit directly into the classroom. There are markers on the playground but only for us dropping/collecting the children. One way system around the playground for drop off/collection, only one adult from same household permitted to do school run, the children stand on markers in the playground whilst waiting to be collected. She said they've been doing lots outside, lots of music and fun stuff. The only thing she is concerned about is going to the toilet as she said they have to let a teacher know which loo they used so it can be wiped over immediately after use. Otherwise she is sooo happy!! This morning she said she actually felt excited about getting up for the day. Such a relief and so pleased she is happy.

sociallydistained · 02/06/2020 23:47

All well here with school - loving it. Two happy small people year 1 and year 6 and one not so happy year 3 who also wants to go back :(

A lot of pick up and drop off is based on being outside for quite a while. This works well but tomorrow is supposed to be raining... that'll be interesting

It feels really weird doing school run again and the thing is seeing lots of groups of year 6's walking home in groups no distancing. It is really hard to social distance and I can see the parents getting closer as the weeks go on too.

Shoeoholic · 03/06/2020 01:08

Both my daughters went back on Monday. My youngest in Y1 couldn’t wait to be back- she is in a bubble of 7 with her old teacher and classroom. She is being taught and not just doing online school. She has absolutely loved seeing the other children in her bubble and her teacher.

My eldest daughter is Y4 and has gone back as I’m a key worker but also as she has additional needs (suspected ASD) and is in the process of getting an EHCP. She has struggled with the lack of routine and structure even though I have tried to implement. She also had permission from the school SENCO not to do the set school work as it was causing massive meltdowns. She is already academically behind so not doing school work would have meant the gap would have got further. I’ve seen a positive change in her in the last 2 days.

It’s frustrating the media have painted a bit of a horror story, I wish it was more balanced to give parents the full picture to allow an informed decision. I know some parents haven’t sent their children back because of social distancing measures not because of the virus and more balanced reporting may have made them feel better about the new measures in place.

Orangeblossom78 · 03/06/2020 06:28

Mine is going back nest week, nice to hear these stories. Can I just ask are most of yours doing the full week? We have just been offered two days.

The80sweregreat · 03/06/2020 06:53

Have any of your children's schools have the after school or breakfast club open ?

Epigram · 03/06/2020 07:06

No - no after school care open here.

Orangeblossom78 · 03/06/2020 07:08

We have a park next to school do the children tend to play after school or go straight home? I wondered as in our school they are taking children to the grass to meet their parents. They usually play there after school. I'm find with that but wasn't sure about the other parents. Can imagine some meltdowns if they have just been taken there but have to go home (with some of the little ones)

milkysmum · 03/06/2020 07:12

We are in Lancashire who are not supporting schools re opening at present however mine are in keyworker provision and even this has had breakfast and after school club cut ( they had initially planned to re- open this week and then the local authority declared it not to be safe yet), the school have said it is the government that have stopped after school clubs etc. Due to not being able to mix the bubbles. Working parents are frantic of how this is going to pan out if lasts long term.

gerbilgirl · 03/06/2020 07:14

My two were so worried about going back (year 1 and year 4), but were absolutely bouncing when they came home Smile

My husband picked them up and I heard them chatting away as they came down the road!

They loved their "pods" and seeing which friends were in it and who was there from different classes. They did some English and maths by the sounds of it but the rest was arty things and outdoors stuff.

The only mild complaint I had was how much handwashing and desk cleaning there was Grin

The80sweregreat · 03/06/2020 07:19

I can't see how our breakfast club or after school club can open up without contaminating the 'bubbles 'already in place for the children.
It's impossible.

Livpool · 03/06/2020 07:42

My DS is back in preschool today ( he starts school in September) and this is nice to hear.

He is excited to see his friends so really hope he has a nice day. As an only child he hasn't seen any children for months

milkysmum · 03/06/2020 07:44

This is just not sustainable though. Plus if you have siblings in different bubbles then there goes the no ' contamination ' theory anyway. When the school re-opens to other year groups I will have one child in Y6 bubble and one in key-worker bubble. I assure you they will mix after 3pm!!

JassyRadlett · 03/06/2020 09:03

@milkysmum

This is just not sustainable though. Plus if you have siblings in different bubbles then there goes the no ' contamination ' theory anyway. When the school re-opens to other year groups I will have one child in Y6 bubble and one in key-worker bubble. I assure you they will mix after 3pm!!
It still significantly reduces the overall number of contacts to control spread (if any) and makes tracing more straightforward.
Juliet2014 · 03/06/2020 09:49

@milkysmum

It is not about reducing the risk to no risk at all. That is not possible. For most things in life!

It is about reducing the risk to the extent that other aspects to life can resume

CarlottaValdez · 03/06/2020 09:51

This is an encouraging thread! I have one going back on Monday and he’s so excited. Hopefully he’ll be fine

Original poster
snowballer · 03/06/2020 13:51

Great article and lovely to see the same positivity from the teachers' side!

OP posts:
DominaShantotto · 03/06/2020 13:57

Asked mine if they wanted me to reserve them a place for next week (we have to confirm sessions by midweek so they can plan staffing) this morning and both yelled me that "YES OF COURSE!"

When the school re-opens to other year groups I will have one child in Y6 bubble and one in key-worker bubble. I assure you they will mix after 3pm!!

Mine are in the keyworker/vulnerable bubble - it has been made very clear to me when I got them places in that, that if their particular year groups get to go back to school (can't see it happening to be honest) - then they will remain with the keyworker bubble until the end of the school year. I've told the kids that and they understand it- we'll have tears from DD2 if it happens but she did understand that, as things currently stand, it's the only way she can get back into school - and knowing how the staffing stands at that school at present, I can't see her year group making it back at all.

Kokeshi123 · 03/06/2020 14:02

It still significantly reduces the overall number of contacts to control spread (if any) and makes tracing more straightforward.

This.

Nobody is seriously trying to reduce risk of transmission to zero. The point of things like bubbles is that this is how you help test-and-trace to work.

Test-and-trace can work if people don't have too many contacts, because it means that if a cluster appears, there are not too many people to contact and isolate and the whole thing can be stamped out quickly. If people are socializing willy-nilly then clusters will get out of control before they can be stopped and test-and-trace will not be able to cope.

Taiwan has kept its schools open throughout the pandemic---good practices and good test-and-trace have worked together and controlled the virus.

PineappleUpsideDownCake · 03/06/2020 15:52

My yr6 loved it!!! I was impressed at the measures they'd taken with regular cleaning and a game so they can all wash hands every hour. So impressed. And the activities are fun, and lots of reading and time to play with others outdoors, which is what she was craving. Im so relieved!

lilgreen · 03/06/2020 16:51

@DominaShantotto I MN working with a KW group but the YR,Y1 and Y6 kids that are KW children have to go with their year group as education takes priority. We have a few that will move to KW when teachers have ppa. One afternoon a week. So there is a bit of bubble sharing but it’s minimal.

lilgreen · 03/06/2020 16:52

I’m not MN.

Pippapotomus · 03/06/2020 17:37

DD and DS went back Monday.

The school was very well organised, it now resembles ikea with the one way system arrows.

In DDs Yr 6 class the are around a dozen who came back. Most of her friendship group are there which is nice as they are off to a few different secondaries. Her teacher was able to do lots of lessons outside which was nice.

DS is in Yr 1. Only 4 Inc him are back from his class. They've been put with the other Yr 1 class, so there's 10 in total. Staff were brilliant at welcoming them back. They were all told the rules and what to expect. Mornings were more formal learning, the smaller group is suiting DS as he needs more help. Afternoons were arts and craft on Monday, they made dream catchers, and Tuesday will be gardening.

Both are very happy to be back. It was much harder on them mentally being off than I had thought.