5 year olds at school count, 4 year olds don't

[KinderWild]

Can anyone help me understand the logic of the under 5 cut off in the regulations for lockdown 2.

My son is 5 and an only child. He is at school with plenty of 4 year olds. As he is 5 he counts in the numbers and cannot come out for a walk with me plus my sister. His friend at school who is 4 can go out for a walk with his mum and her sister.

My son has also just lost his place in his football class which is continuing under the guise of being a parent and child class but can only cater for the under 5s. He went with two of his buds and we e been told the class change is permenant and he won't be allowed to rejoin the class when lockdown ends.

I know this guidance is just how it is, but I can't figure why it didn't distinguish between kids in school and kids not in school, rather than picking aged 5. Surely the issue is that kids in school are more likely to have more contacts and it makes no difference if they are aged 4 or 5.

Thanks if you made it to the end. I know this is a champagne problem and we all need to do our bit. Parenting an only child who has been lonely during lockdown has been really hard and heartbreaking at times. I am currently avoiding telling him there won't be any football anymore, well at least not with his mates.

There has to be a cut off somewhere. Under 5 is easy to understand. Under school age may be a bit more unclear- 4 year olds may be at school but its non compulsory. what about those in full time preschool, or kindergarten, is that "school age". What about home schoolers or un-schoolers? Giving annumber is easy and no wiggle room.

I read it as preschool children. My 4 year old is at school so I wouldn’t take him out with me. I would take my 6 month old though. Most people seem to do what they like anyway!

The football group staying open, is definitely against the guidance. I would be very concerned about their judgement over this and certainly look for a different provider once this is over. The fact that they cannot follow guidance that it’s is pretty clear from both the government, fa and pe providers would make question their safe guarding and efforts to follow good practice in general.

Thanks @beckypv, I agree with you. They are putting finances above everything. And connecting multiple school bubbles by their actions.
I spent last night finding a new football club for my son. He won't start until they can reopen but it's also outside which is how football should be!

Is this football club that is still running a franchise? So in for the profit? A grass roots club will be better.

@MRex

The point is so that women with a young child who are all alone can go and see someone in the daytime outside. The same rules apply for anyone with older children who have additional needs, or who have other caring responsibilities. It's only there to stop those people from being cut off when they have no option but to stay with those they care for.

Your child has friends at school, that's why he's fine, because he already has lots of time to mix with his peers. School also gives you time when you can meet someone independently, even if it's only over lunchtime, so you're fine too. Lucky both of you.

Is this written into the guidelines? Ds (10 with complex needs) is home from school on the advice of Drs and a friend has suggested going out with her and her dog (who ds loves) as part of his daily exercise. I had thought when I saw it was only under 5s that were exempt, that we wouldn't be able to go.

Their decision could be nothing at all to do with school attendance but the actual age.
Over 5s have to wear masks in shops here, under 5s don't.

@HazeyJaneII - yes, it was added at the same time as the under-5s, so it wasn't clear in the initial release of the guidelines but was there a day or two later.
www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#meeting-others-safely
"Children under 5, and up to two carers for a person with a disability who needs continuous care, arenotcounted towards the gatherings limit on two or more people meeting outside."

@Mrex
Ooh, I could hug you (obviously just a 2m distanced air hug). I've held off from mentioning it to ds as he will be all over the place if he can't do it. It will be lovely for him to see his doggy friend and me to see my human friend!
Not sure how I missed that exemption (brain probably slightly frazzled at this point.)

Sorry @KinderWild, for hijacking your thread. Hope you get something sorted for your boy.

@HazeyJaneII not at all! Lovely news for you and your boy. X

I'm really pleased you found out without waiting too long, have a fun dog walk!

@MRex

The point is so that women with a young child who are all alone can go and see someone in the daytime outside. The same rules apply for anyone with older children who have additional needs, or who have other caring responsibilities. It's only there to stop those people from being cut off when they have no option but to stay with those they care for.

Your child has friends at school, that's why he's fine, because he already has lots of time to mix with his peers. School also gives you time when you can meet someone independently, even if it's only over lunchtime, so you're fine too. Lucky both of you.

This. Though in reality I can see that eg a single parent to a school-aged child who works from home during school hours and has no other childcare/support bubble etc is not going to see any benefit from this and is going to be very isolated. Personally I wouldn’t criticise anyone in this situation for meeting up with another adult along with the child

A single parent could be in a support bubble and a childcare bubble. If someone didn't have either option and had no other way of seeing a friend than taking a 5-10yo out, then they wouldn't be creating more risk than the support bubble anyway.

I agree