DD 1 having to isolate, how do I get DD2 to school?

[divafever99]

DD1 (age 9 1/2) sent home from school today and told to isolate for 2 weeks as she may have been been in contact with Covid. DD2 still expected to go into school.
Currently considering what I will do tomorrow, would you:
A) take DD 1 on school run, keeping safe distance from others.
B) drive to school and leave her in car alone for approximately 10 minutes.
C) leave her at home alone, I will be gone for approximately 15 minutes.
Any advice appreciated, I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue.

I would be reluctant to leave a 9yr old at home alone. I would drive to school with both in car, and use the staff car park to drop off. If school had a problem with this I would keep both of unless school came up with a suitable alternative

I’d rather keep both at home.

C if she's happy otherwise B.
Another option (easier if walking) would be to see if another parent could pass your house en route to pick up

I don't understand why basic child safeguarding is out of the window due to Covid. Next we will be sending them to quarantine "hotels" or something.

c for me! good luck whatever you decide, difficult situation

C at that age 15 min at home is fine

@Banana0pancakes

This is what I don't understand about our approach to schools, surely both kids should be told to isolate or dd2 is an easy route for it to get back into school and spread further if dd1 is positive. Not a dig at you OP obviously, you're doing as asked but I just think it's crazy our leaders can't see this gaping hole in their plan

I'd also say C though

I know I was shocked when they said DD2 was expected to be in school. It hasn't been considered at all.

Which area are you in? I'm under enhanced restrictions (in Scotland) and we need to isolate as a family if one member has contact with a case

At 9 yes I would leave at home. It isn't unheard of @Treesofwood

She can watch TV and just warn a neighbour.

C. Fine to leave a 9 year old for 15 minutes unless they are unwell, no need to drag them out.

@dementedpixie this isn't the case where I am (England)

Hmm some mixed responses, and some good advice! I have a friend who has a child in the same class as dd2, so going to ask her if she will meet me at my car outside school and ask if she could walk dd2 in.
I'm going have to have some plan for when the inevitable happens and dd2 has to isolate, I can't leave a 5 yr old at home alone!

@Yetiyoga most of Scotland doesn't have this rule but areas under enhanced restrictions do.

We’ve got exactly this going on right now. DD isolating in year two class, DS in reception still expected in.

The school is collecting pupils from the gate so I park as close as poss (yellow lines allowing) drop him off and then they take him in. At pick up they’re bringing affected siblings to the gate five minutes before school finishes for everyone else.

I think my ds was about 9 when I left him for the first time - for about 10 minutes.

I think your mum can help though - isn't care an exemption?

I am also surprised that if your dd has to stay at home the rest of you don't, what's the point of that (but I know it's the same if eg we had a ds or dd overseas, they'd come back home and quarantine but we could carry on as normal - madness)

No way would I be leaving my 9 year old at home while I did the school run.

Friend‘s child is home due to the year being sent home to isolate and she has been told the sibling should be in school. She has no way of taking the sibling without taking the isolating child so she is keeping them both off. She doesn’t drive either.

C. My very sensible nine year old would have no trouble being alone for fifteen minutes.

I can see myself being in this situation at some point - it's been... interesting to read the suggestions.

I also have a 9 year old but he has ASD and no way could I leave him at home to take his sibling to school. 9 YO gets school transport so if his sibling needed to isolate it wouldn't affect him getting to school. Although if my youngest starts nursery then it's going to be triple the risk

A sensible 9 year old - I'd leave at home. My own 8 year old who is bloody daft as they come... car with her Switch to play on for the bare minimum of time. I'd come back to find she'd coloured her head in purple or something.

In our school if one child has to isolate any siblings are also expected to stay home

If DD1 is happy to be left do that for such a short time. She shouldn't be in a car with you guys anyway

otherwise phone a friend

Im confused by this.. My understanding is if someone is isolating, but rest of house doesn't need too, then they should keep themselves seperate from rest of household... Own room, toilet, not eating together etc... I'm not sure how you are meant to do that with a child...

A disaster 😂😂😂

@Treesofwood

No one would be saying leave a 9 year old home alone usually!

Lots of people say that on here. It's one of the oft occurring mumsnet threads. I was leaving mine at that age while I popped out for local trips.

D, I would drive both to school, park as near as you can and see if someone will walk her in. If not, ask if you can drop her off a bit later but park at the school. If not, ask school what they suggest!