Nurseries staying open

[meow1989]

To coin a mn phrase: is Boris on glue?!

So now I will have to pay to keep my toddler off to keep him (and us) safe?!

Yep screw Early Years staff

I've made the tough decision of not sending my 2yo back to preschool as I need more childcare help in the afternoons (preschool only take that age for mornings) - this means having my mum as childcare and given she's mid 60s and not great health history, I've had to choose between mum and preschool (until mum has vaccine).

Feeling stung by the comments of how crucial to early development nursery is... what about kids who don't go to nursery even in normal times?

My DC is very well adjusted, a total social butterfly when we bump into others (even strangers) on walks and we play as much as we can with her at home, now I'm worrying about her development being away from nursery for another 6 months!

I feel the same. It's either safe for children or isn't. Why is it ok for early years but not primary?
Omg it’s not about the safety of children it’s about transmission.
30kids per year x 7 year groups min= how many parents congregating for drop off and collection.
Such young children at 0-5 don’t get overly sick with Covid.
Regardless nursery isn’t compulsory, keep your child off if you want to.

what about kids who don't go to nursery even in normal times? well the government offers 15hrs free nursery from 3 for a reason, clearly it’s a benefit

I dont think really grasp how hard it is to work whilst having a child under 4 to look after. I took my son to work with me for 73 days non stop in the last lock down, it was summer , I just about coped.
The environment is now not safe for him and its freezing so this is a godsend for me and him.
What else do you suppose we do?
My staff are also parents, some single , I need to cover them so they can look after their children, I cannot just shut down , we work with animals.

But around 2 I don’t think it will be catastrophic being home honestly

A load of nurseries and childminders wouldn't reopen if they were forced to close, that's the sad fact of it. I am delighted personally that they are staying open.

Really feel for the nursery staff, no efforts to reduce the number of children they come into contact with.

Thanks @OnlyFoolsnMothers - DC was getting so much out of nursery last year so we are gutted. Would def be going back before turning 3.

Feel so bad for EY staff who don't feel okay with this.

FU covid.

@Tiquismiquis

I am delighted. My 1yo is not safe while I am trying to work. This will mean many parents can keep going without a breakdown quite frankly.

Same here! This is going to save our sanity, continue DS’ development and allow his older brother to be much more easily homeschooled while DH and I wfh.

@whereisthejoy

I've made the tough decision of not sending my 2yo back to preschool as I need more childcare help in the afternoons (preschool only take that age for mornings) - this means having my mum as childcare and given she's mid 60s and not great health history, I've had to choose between mum and preschool (until mum has vaccine).

Feeling stung by the comments of how crucial to early development nursery is... what about kids who don't go to nursery even in normal times?

My DC is very well adjusted, a total social butterfly when we bump into others (even strangers) on walks and we play as much as we can with her at home, now I'm worrying about her development being away from nursery for another 6 months!

Do you want everyone to pretend pre school isn't beneficial just so you don't feel hurt? In any case most people when they talk about pre school are referring to the year before reception, so 3+.

Does early years include Reception?

I work in early years, Im over 45 and clunically vunerable.
Today I was in a room with 42 children from 40 households.
1 staff member tested positive on friday. Another( her best friend) is in today with a bad cough and temperature. She was asked by management if she felt she needed to go for a test, she refused as she is terrified of the disiplinary action we face if more than 1 person gets covid.
I have rocked a poorly child in my arms, been sneezed on, had a nose wiped on my uniform and had children coughing in my face. I am terrified.

@SaveWaterDrinkGin

Does early years include Reception?

Yes and no. Reception comes under early years but is subject to the same rules as the rest of the school so my reception classes will remain closed unless it is to those who are vulnerable or are children of critical workers.

honestly, am super pleased. as Boris pointed out - they will start re-opening things once vulnerable groups are vaccinated so from a personal risk perspective it makes no difference whether my kid goes to nursery now or in April (April rates of covid amongst normal population will be much much higher than now). But from my family's perspective - it means that our mental health won't be destroyed. I teach and absolutely cannot do that with a toddler. Last one nearly finished us

I wish Nicola had kept our nurseries open.

I think a lot of people are missing the point. There is no social distancing or safety for staff in a nursery. Anyone planning to send their child in without a really good reason should think again. Children can spend a few months with their parents you know without it doing them any harm. It could even be an amazing time which you cherish!

Nursery workers who have school age children are not supported by furlough and cannot work from home. This will cause nurseries to close because of staff shortages and shut down because they can’t maintain this without support.

@Waterdropsdown she is, they put an announcement on their Facebook page yesterday to say they would be open I will keep a cautious eye out incase that changes and do totally understand if it does, she will moan about lockdown she’s a sassy little thing!

Nurseries staying open makes sense if you think about it. They're privately funded and can't charge fees to parents if their children don't attend. So it's not financially viable for many to stay open just for the children of key workers.

We had an outbreak at my son’s nursery in December. Over 20 cases, over 2/3rds of which were staff. Thankfully nobody was seriously ill, but it confirms that it is definitely not risk free

On the plus side, many parents may choose to keep their children home, reducing class sizes for those who choose to continue.

Our nursery has just emailed and said that although they can stay open they are not sure that they will have enough staff / children ratio as some schools were not accepting Key Worker Children + some staff isolating.... arghghgh

I'm relieved but apprehensive, as we're in the south east and I'm pregnant. But Looking after an 18 month old is a full time job. On top of another full time job it is not sustainable. I don't think I'd cope and I'm luckier than most.

Shutting early childcare would also mean more mingling of families with grandparents, and a risk to the vulnerable.

Thanks @BertNErnie

@Sandcastles09 - you are also missing the point. Social distancing will be substantially lessened once vulnerable groups are vaccinated - so realistically nursery staff and frankly the rest of us will get it soon enough. And am not being gleeful about it - I had it last year and it took me two months to stop choking every night and I still cant run now. But the reality is that the government care about vaccinating some of the groups before re-opening things -so if you are under 50...honestly, good luck to you as we wont get it soon enough before things re-open anyway

I'm another one who is delighted they are staying open.