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Covid

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Original poster

Bit worried that schools reopening

24 replies

vik2017 · 25/08/2020 00:40

Hi, my DS will be starting school in September but I am little concerned and confused , not being paranoid but someway reasonable. As we know children are super bug carriers and I understand government’ argue that children do not get seriously ill but what if they pass on to us and we get seriously ill. We both are in late 30s and I also understand we are not likely to get seriously ill but why should we even be bothered to take any chances specially, when winter is approaching in couple of months and reception is not a big deal either.
Does anyone of you would suggest home-schooling for the reception because we can easily arrange paid tutors, online classes, small groups etc that he may need or majority of you would prefer letting him off to school.
Just trying to get thoughts so, I can take the right decision.

Thanks,
Vik

OP posts:

Underhisi · 25/08/2020 05:41

The risk to you is very small and life is not risk free so I think to be concerned about your own risk here is over reacting.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 25/08/2020 05:46

Every child is different. My DS needs to be at school and I'm not concerned about sending him in. Would he get enough social interaction if you didn't send him? That's important too.

ElizabethMainwaring · 25/08/2020 05:51

It will be a very disrupted first term (at least).
Lots of closing and reopening, lots of testing.
You'll be homeschooling quite a bit anyway.
In your position I wouldn't think twice about doing it.
You will have lovely quality time with your son and will have lessened your anxiety which will be good for all of you.
Also you don't have to worry so much about seeing elderly friends and relatives.
All the best to you Vik.

BillywilliamV · 25/08/2020 06:20

Children need to be with other children, send him to school!

stayathomer · 25/08/2020 06:25

It all really depends on how much you trust the school. Do they seem like they have policies in place? I don't think anyone who's worried is being unreasonable and if you feel you can do it I think go for it. The reasoning of a lot of worried parents choosing to go back in is that the schools will probably be shut within weeks and then they'll have school support in homeschooling but it's bloody tough to figure out. I myself just had covid, the only one in my community so am hating the 'chances are tiny' rhetoric out there. Best of luck op

YinuCeatleAyru · 25/08/2020 06:36

mine are older now so my parameters are different. if I had one due to go into reception i would definitely be having second thoughts. reception age kids do need to start spending more time learning with others so i wouldn't be solely home-schooling. i know of a few forest-school organisations which will provide at least a couple of hours a day of group learning without it being formal "school" and that would feel much better than sending a reception age child to school right now. if you can be reasonably sure of getting a formal school place in a year or so and can manage the practicalities (ie don't have a full time job) then do look at other options.

Bellesavage · 25/08/2020 06:37

Reception isn't about phonics and maths, it's about learning the routine of a school day, the etiquette of hand raising and starting to solve social problems when you haven't got nursery key workers on hand to keep everything in check with small arguments. It's also about starting to take responsibility and be a bit more independent in small ways like putting your bags in the right places etc. Yes you can do some of this at home but it won't be the same. If you're worried about covid to this extent you'll never send them in because there will always be flu season and tons of other bugs. Tonsilittis has hospitalised my DD 4 times for example, one blue lit in ambulance, Scarlett fever, chicken pox etc all come with risk too.

Phillipa12 · 25/08/2020 06:53

As a pp has already said its not just learning how to read and count, reception is a big deal the children learn more in 1 year than any other class does. Bugs are part and parcel of school life, last year ds2 was 1 of 18 children out of his class of 30 who came down with chicken pox in the space of 3 days, my only dd died after a common strep A viral infection picked up at nursery turned to pneumonia and then sepsis. You take a chance everytime you do anything, life is full of risks but it can't stay on hold forever.

meditrina · 25/08/2020 06:59

As we know children are super bug carriers

They do not appear to be 'superspreaders' for this one, so they may not be more likely to pass to you than anyone else you meet out and about

and I understand government’ argue that children do not get seriously ill

Generally they don't. The expectation is only a handful of serious cases in younger DC nationally.

but what if they pass on to us and we get seriously ill

Yes thus is a risk

We both are in late 30s and I also understand we are not likely to get seriously ill but why should we even be bothered to take any chances specially

Only you can decide your attitude to risk

If DC is below compulsory school age, you could defer her by a term, and see how things are going then?

ElizabethMainwaring · 25/08/2020 07:06

Phillipa12 so sorry for your loss

notevenat20 · 25/08/2020 07:06

If you are under 40 and otherwise well the risks are really comparable to crossing the road. Covid is a serious problem but really only to elderly people and people with serious underlying health conditions.

Alex50 · 25/08/2020 07:38

How long will you keep your child off school? Until there is a vaccine, just wondering when will it be safe for your child to go back to school?

iVampire · 25/08/2020 07:41

The DC isn’t going back to school?

This is starting reception, and as PP has noted, if the pupil is below CSA then (Covid or not) parents have the right to defer as long as they start by April (you can’t hold a place over for a while year)

Tfoot75 · 25/08/2020 07:53

The risk to you is no higher than it ever was of dying from an accident or other infectious disease.

Assuming one or both of you works, and you introduce paid tutors or small group meets, that introduces risk anyway. I would not consider missing reception, there's a very low chance your child would be ready and prepared for year 1 if they totally missed it out.

Forgone90 · 25/08/2020 07:53

You are more likely to die in a car crash than from covid, please let your child be a child and enjoy their childhood :)

IncidentsandAccidents · 25/08/2020 08:10

I'm not a teacher but have volunteered in the reception class in my dc's primary school for the past two years. It's such a special and important part of children's education. It's wonderful to see their lives open up and their confidence build as they learn about making friends, independence and the world around them. I hope that you decide to send your ds to school.

Ohfrigginghellers · 25/08/2020 08:24

Agree with @Bellesavage

Friendsoftheearth · 25/08/2020 08:38

It would be a shame to take such an important milestone away from your child given how low risk and healthy and young you are.

The friendships and bonds formed in the first few months between the children won't be repeated, so if you start late your child may miss the chance of making friends and settling into school properly, bonding with his teacher etc and settling happily, he may well fall behind educationally too.

Homeschooling is not a small decision, you need to be ready to do it for 18 long years, and to A level standard. My dh and I are reasonably academic - dh has a Masters in mathematics and economics, and we are struggling with the level at GCSE - so this needs a great deal of consideration.

Even if you use tutors, you will ultimately be responsible for your child's success or failure, their whole life is based on their attainment, future jobs, housing etc - your child's whole life time depends on you making the right decision surrounding their education.
So the responsibility is enormous.

Once your child has missed key elements of schooling and socialising for a year or two, it will become much harder later on if you decide it is not for you, to rejoin the mainstream.

Your son deserves a good education, lots of friends and the chance to enjoy school. I find it striking that you even acknowledge your chances of being ill are tiny and yet you are still considering sacrificing your child's schooling.

Bellesavage · 25/08/2020 09:03

@Phillipa12 so sorry for your loss

GabriellaMontez · 25/08/2020 10:19

My kids are desperate to get back to school. They really need it.

But I'm anticipating a lot of disruption for at least the next 2 terms. I'm not looking forward to it. And in your position, I'd probably try and delay the school start.

But its individual. If you have a September born who is really ready for school, send her.

You'll just have to decide what's best for your family at this time.

Timeforanotherusername · 25/08/2020 11:10

My child missed many months of Reception.

It is one of the most important years at school. I am very sad that he will never get that time back.

We need to be responsible and we need to try and prevent the spread of the virus.

But we need to do it without throwing our children under a bus.

Our children are going to have long lasting consequences from this pandemic. Some were inevitable unfortunately, some will be caused by the behaviour of parents and others in society.

Newjez · 25/08/2020 11:13

Just spoke with our sons doctor, and he said if you need anything medical done, try and get it done before October, as they are expecting things to pick up then. Makes sense with flu season.

Original poster

vik2017 · 25/08/2020 11:14

Thanks all and @Phillipa12 sorry for your loss .
The only reason I asked this to understand if sending DS to school will outweigh the risks and some of you pointed out very rightly that reception is very crucial and they learn a lot more than we think. However, I was also concerned because someone known (same age as us) got really ill and had to hospitalised for more than a week and still very weak hence, I thought even if it is worth taking all that risk when you can be proactive and avoid this altogether at the first place.

@Alex50 We have never experienced how opening schools and winter season will pan out so, I thought if I could wait until next Mar-2021 because by that time we will know much more about this virus and impacts.

OP posts:

FrippEnos · 25/08/2020 12:41

@meditrina