Key worker kids at school while parents not working?

[Lemons1571]

Is this an issue for those of you who have kids in primary school? Our school has sent out a plea asking key worker parents not to send their kids in when they are not at work. Apparently a few very part time key worker parents were sending their child into primary full time.

Seems odd, when other kids haven’t seen the school since 20th March and there’s no place for them indefinitely (remember September is not guaranteed it’s an unknown). If you’re a key worker did you have to prove shift patterns etc?

@bez91don't have even an ounce of guilt, enjoy it!

The school had not told me that guidance had changed and I should be sending DC to school everyday rather than just when I am working. I had no idea until I just read it here. I had asked via email about whether it is easier for them to know in advance when I am working but they didn't reply. They are now doing something like work at school since half-term, rather than just childcare until then, but it is not the learning that is set for the week to do at home, so we would still have to do at least some of that at the weekend and I work at least one day most weekends.

My child is doing the same worksheets at school as those who are working at home, to keep them all at the same level. Only difference is my child is actually doing them at school, whereas she's never touched them at home despite my best efforts.

It might not be work just different activities and stuff until the curriculum is re-instated. I would question the logic of any school who gave those in actual work to do because that really puts their students at a disadvantage.

LEA here been crystal clear that government suspended curriculum and to focus more on mh etc. Work set can only be stuff they have already covered. But we have massive schools here, inner city and no empty buildings to hire not that they have the funds available to them. Cannot put their fees up from September to cover it all.

I'm a key worker had to tell them immediately if I wanted my kids in full time and if I didn't want them in full time immediately I forfeited my place. So I lost my space as I was a secondary teacher that was working from home and didn't want to send kids in before I had to as they are higher risk

I would question the logic of any school who gave those in actual work to do because that really puts their students at a disadvantage.

Yes I get that. Full blown teaching would be wrong.

My DS school has bought Collins workbooks for every pupil. Those at home are working through them there. Those in school are working through them in their bubbles with the teachers. The school don't want the kids bringing in stuff from home hence not wanting them part time. There's likely an advantage to being with a teacher rather than parent muddling though fractions etc but hopefully minimal.

I teach key worker kids and I get an email every week letting me know who I am predicted to have in each day. There are only a couple who come in every day.

There's likely an advantage to being with a teacher rather than parent muddling though fractions etc but hopefully minimal.

I dunno, I would’ve thought that kids left to their own devices, who do the bare minimum/nothing are at a distinct disadvantage. Lots of parents have to prioritise wfh, so they can keep a roof over all their heads and food on the table. I know I do. And I can’t help with fractions as the methods used these days are alien to me.

Dd3 going two days a week still but did get an email by accident saying she had to come every day, followed up by a phone call apologising and assuring me that we could stick to the previous arrangement. Very strange!

@Lemons1571 tell me about it. Even how they add up is different so it's hard to mirror their logic when we were taught a different method.

Our school has made it clear this is unacceptable.

My DD is being taught- not as much curriculum cover as usual, but it's more than childcare.
She's in every day.
We aren't doing any of the 'home' work any more. My view is she's being taught at school, so no need to 'catch up' at weekends with those learning at home.
I WFH. I feel no guilt.

I have in laws sending their child in when one of them is working from home. Another family sent their 2 kids into school today and then posted photos of the parents on a day out walking in the Dales. As an aside one of our year 10 parents sent their child into school on Monday even though they tested positive for the virus. 2 Teachers now waiting for results of a test . This is why we want social distancing in schools !!!

@Lemons1573

Undoubtedly. I managed to keep my DS at home for 10 weeks. I probably managed some home learning for 2-3 hours a week max. The way they learn now is alien to me also, YouTube was my friend.

Yes he's in school now. Yes he could be at home now, but my ability to do my job properly was being impacted. He was slipping backwards with handwriting etc. He's not taking a space that another child could have. He's happier, I'm happier, I can do my job properly, which protects children and vulnerable families and keeps a roof over our heads. No guilt here.

Sorry, I meant @Lemons1571 apologies to the other Lemon, as you were

We are out of school places with R, yr1 and yr6 and 3 keyworker bubbles. If we had keyworker children in everyday we wouldn't be able to accommodate everyone. Luckily we can squeeze children in on different days so their parents can work. We have had one child sent in with a high fever and one in with a sibling with suspected Covid (negative test in the end) but parents still sent them in!! I agree this is definitely why we need social distancing.

We have to let school know the week before for the next week. School were incredibly tight on keyworker places. It is a massive primary school in between two large teaching hospitals (never mind social workers, telecoms etc). Initially we muddled though doing shifts as dh could work from home. Then dh was hospitalised and (after I took time off) I convinced school to take dd. She's been doing the worksheets set for home learning just in school....
I don't know about other keyworkers but the work has been relentless and stressful. If some were taking a morning to sit weep in the park or get their shopping without kids in tow then I don't begrudge them. I suppose in primary kids are fairly honest so if mum and dad were doing two days a week then hanging out in the sunshine whilst their kid was at school it would soon come to light....

We look after a foster child with a SW so classed as vulnerable. His school has been closed throughout so not even key workers children working in NHS could send kids in. A doctor took her 2 kids to her fit and active parents to look after and she only saw kids twice a month as long drive away. She only got them back beginning of June when she could get a child minder. I do not begrudge those working for NHS and in care homes s place in school if their school opens. They are not being taught do chances are they will learn more at home.

When I next get a day off, DD will still be at school. And I may well spend the day walking in the hills or sitting in the garden or shopping.
My job is incredibly stressful & I need time to recover from it.

@hettie I have never known a time like it. I'm sure many people, keyworker or not feel the same.

My team have been working 14 hour days, sometimes 7 days a week. It's been relentless. With some really harrowing stuff. It's taking its toll emotionally too.

I haven't had a day off whilst my DS has been in school yet, I don't know if I will. But I'm damned if taking a few hours to breathe, recharge and gather my thoughts to carry on for him and my clients will be something I should feel guilty about, because at this rate we'll be facing burn out at some point, and then what use will I be to anyone?

We're Scotland and key worker childcare should be last resort when all other options exhausted. Someone local to us is using everyday. One of the couple has days off and the other is wfh so there is one or two parents at home every day. Gives me the rage as we're not key workers and wfh with kids and losing our minds while they do their garden, go out for a walk, etc

I've sent my youngest in throughout. I've worked from home but couldn't have done so effectively if he was here (confidential calls and video calls). However I've kept my older two home throughout. All are at different schools and had different needs, so I can see how parents can come to different decisions for their children.

So do we think the key worker childcare provision will cease when term ends? Now that things have moved on from the peak of the crisis?

Gov guidance changed on June 1st and keyworkers are now encouraged to send their children to school even if they could keep them at home.

^ this

Also they (along with vulnerable children) should be prioritized over YR, 1 and 6 where places are limited.

Since 1st June, our school has said 5 days 9-3.30 take it or leave it. That goes for all kids whether keyworker or in the years allowed back. However, it then meant there weren't spaces for all the Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children.