Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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

What about nurseries?

85 replies

Anniemabel · 29/12/2020 15:29

There is a lot of talk and speculation about secondaries closing, and also potentially primaries but I can’t find anything about nurseries. I feel like I need my nursery child in childcare more than I need my older ones in school in order to work.

No one can answer for definite but I’m interested in views as I’m trying to contingency plan but it’s impossible!

OP posts:
Rubyrubyrubyred · 29/12/2020 19:23

PPE is worn to protect others from you so in a nursery its a moot point because you can't have preschoolers wearing masks so it wouldn't make a difference if staff wear it or not.

My DSes nursery we have been wearing masks since September on pick up and drop off

DayBath · 29/12/2020 19:24

Sorry cross posted with BamBam there. I agree with PPs saying nursery workers are being treated badly, you've been thrown right under that bus with teachers but you aren't often talked about so in a way it's worse!

MarshaBradyo · 29/12/2020 19:24

@Dahlietta

If you wfh you can’t look after a nursery aged child anyway

And yet, this is exactly what many, many people did for months in the summer...

And?

You want to return to it?

I can’t you might be able to

Northernbeachbum · 29/12/2020 19:24

I have been constantly telling the staff at our nursery how amazing they are (even more covid) and especially now. We bought them immense amounts of chocolate and biscuits to say thank you for Christmas and told them we appreciate how tough it must be for them all.

However theyve had 1 case in all the 8 nurseries in the chain (that they know of), shutting seems a bit crazy if it's like that

DayBath · 29/12/2020 19:25

@Rubyrubyrubyred

PPE is worn to protect others from you so in a nursery its a moot point because you can't have preschoolers wearing masks so it wouldn't make a difference if staff wear it or not.

My DSes nursery we have been wearing masks since September on pick up and drop off

Then how come it's traditionally the doctors wearing PPE in hospital and not the patient? That's not how PPE works. That's how home made masks works, but we are talking about gloves, screens and aprons too.
MarshaBradyo · 29/12/2020 19:26

Not all nurseries are the same

Ours has small bubbles, PPE, loads of outside time, temp check every day

If they are forced to close I doubt they’ll survive, then more out of jobs

The only thing is staff stay for ages so not always easy to get a job there - for those who are annoyed at standards at their own

Dahlietta · 29/12/2020 19:33

And?

You want to return to it?

I can’t you might be able to

I'm not sure why I warranted such a rude response. My point was it didn't stop anybody plunging people into this predicament last time so sadly, I don't think it would stop them again. I certainly don't want to return to it, no.

radioband · 29/12/2020 19:38

@Ilovegreentomatoes

I can't see my dad yet I can go to work with no ppe and no social distance with a load of toddlers sneezing and coughing on me. Honestly nursery staff have always been treated like crap and we are still being treated like crap.I understand the need for childcare but my safety trumps looking after someone's child so they can go to work.
Do you think the people dropping their kids off at nursery are doing so for fun?
Apple40 · 29/12/2020 19:48

As a childminder I have worked through all lockdowns and will remain open unless the government tells me otherwise. My clients are all keyworkers so need me to be open so they can go to work. I will just not be be taking on any new families currently as it takes time to build up trust with a parent and know that they will follow my sick policy rules and come and collect and not bring in a sick child.

Wherediditgo · 29/12/2020 19:56

@MarshaBradyo

Not all nurseries are the same

Ours has small bubbles, PPE, loads of outside time, temp check every day

If they are forced to close I doubt they’ll survive, then more out of jobs

The only thing is staff stay for ages so not always easy to get a job there - for those who are annoyed at standards at their own

Ours sounds similar to yours.

They had one Covid case a few weeks back. The shut the nursery, deep cleaned it and paid for private tests for all staff... turns out that three more tested positive. One of which is in DS bubble. He had a slightly runny nose for a few days. DH was fine but I got a sore throat, cough, temp & breathlessness yet tested negative. Weird.

Hardbackwriter · 29/12/2020 20:05

I think it's unfair to say that nursery workers signed up for this and I have a lot of sympathy and concern for those at DS's nursery (and all nurseries, but obviously those are the ones I know!). They haven't yet had a case there, so it's all felt a bit theoretical, but our case numbers have risen so fast in my area in the last few weeks... I don't want nurseries to close, and it's going to be shit for us if they do, but I do think it might be a necessity. What I'd like to see if so is some proper, funded government help for working parents, though I'm not very hopeful of that happening...

laudemio · 29/12/2020 20:13

They should close. I won't be sending our youngest in next week and I'll keep it under review.

Heyahun · 29/12/2020 20:15

The nursery I work at never had a single case since reopening in the summer! We spend most of the day outdoors and the children are in small bubbles!

Can’t see why we would have to close tbh ! It will just put us in an awful financial position and we may never reopen !

LastTangoInBodmin · 29/12/2020 20:15

@Dahlietta

If you wfh you can’t look after a nursery aged child anyway

And yet, this is exactly what many, many people did for months in the summer...

Yes, and I (and many others) very nearly had a nervous breakdown as a result. It was absolute fucking hell.
StickTheKettleOnAlice · 29/12/2020 20:22

If schools shut I think nurseries will too

Tyranttoddler · 29/12/2020 20:24

Oh hell how would we all go to work 😑 I can't cope with the lack of information.

Hardbackwriter · 29/12/2020 20:25

@laudemio

They should close. I won't be sending our youngest in next week and I'll keep it under review.
Do you work?
Sexnotgender · 29/12/2020 20:27

They’re shut in Scotland until “at least” the 18th of January.

I’m so upset. We both work full time and it’s impossible to do that with a toddler. I nearly had a nervous breakdown during the last lockdown.

MarshaBradyo · 29/12/2020 20:33

@Sexnotgender

They’re shut in Scotland until “at least” the 18th of January.

I’m so upset. We both work full time and it’s impossible to do that with a toddler. I nearly had a nervous breakdown during the last lockdown.

That is so hard. Does it include private nurseries too and if you don’t pay how are they surviving as a business?
Sexnotgender · 29/12/2020 20:36

Yes it’s private nurseries too. DS is 22 months and at private nursery. You’re only allowed a place if both parents are key workers AND you both work outside the home.

MarshaBradyo · 29/12/2020 20:39

Nightmare. I assume your fees are refunded? And government is picking up the bill.

MarshaBradyo · 29/12/2020 20:40

Not that it makes it less hard.

laudemio · 29/12/2020 20:41

Yes I do work. But this situation is not just about me. It will be hideous and I will be back to desperately juggling but needs must. Totally shit situation.

Sexnotgender · 29/12/2020 20:41

We didn’t pay through the last lockdown. Pretty sure I spent the equivalent on gin to get me through it. I’m 6 months pregnant this time though so that’s not an option 😫

SMaCM · 29/12/2020 20:43

Nurseries in England are open in tier 4 at the moment. It might change with Wednesday's announcement though.