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Covid

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Original poster

Is nursery safe?

54 replies

november90 · 04/01/2021 20:55

My son is three years old and currently goes to nursery. I share him with my ex-husband and I'm on maternity leave.
Ex feels he should still go to nursery due to the educational and social benefits. The lockdown is really taking a tole on him now, esp with the winter months. There's no question that he won't take him out of nursery on his days.

I feel so guilty sending him. My whole family are making out that I'm signing his death certificate by sending him. On the one hand I am at home and not working at the moment so I feel he should stay at home, however, nurseries are open and available to all children so why should he be missing out??
My relative now won't stay in a bubble with me due to me sending him to nursery so I just feel like I am completely on my own.

OP posts:

Spiratedaway · 04/01/2021 20:57

Mine is going in either that or I crumble

Original poster

november90 · 04/01/2021 21:03

Part of me just feels like I'm being selfish not sending him. I'm not sending him because of my anxiety and I'd rather keep him home at me... where he'll be bored and frustrated and I'll be at my whits end with a baby and a 3 year old..... but hey I won't have to worry, whereas he could go and be able to continue with his development and socialising which is so important to him.

I feel so heavy with this. I could cry! He and his brother are my whole world and I just feel like I'm damned if I do or don't :(

OP posts:

Meredithgrey1 · 04/01/2021 21:05

I can understand someone not wanting to be in a bubble with a child at nursery. Even if they aren’t worried about catching it, self isolating is a pain, and they might be more likely to catch colds from your child.
But to imply you are sending him to nursery where he’ll be at huge danger is nonsense (assuming your child doesn’t have any health conditions).
However, if you feel your child benefits from nursery, he will still get those benefits on the days he goes with your ex. Can you take him out on your days and send him in on your ex’s? Or does that not work?

I have an 18 month old DD who will be going to nursery as long as she’s not ill, and they are open.

amber763 · 04/01/2021 21:06

I imagine they'll close anyway in England unless you're a key worker, if that's where you are, after Bojo's announcement later.

mynameiscalypso · 04/01/2021 21:07

@amber763

I imagine they'll close anyway in England unless you're a key worker, if that's where you are, after Bojo's announcement later.

He specifically said that nurseries were open to all - ours has confirmed tonight that it's business as usual.

gooseygander88 · 04/01/2021 21:08

Sorry excuse me @Spiratedaway your sending your child in because you'll crumble ... don't mind everyone else risking their jobs so you don't crumble!!!

OllietheOwl · 04/01/2021 21:08

I also have a 3 year old and a baby OP and I’m sending my DD back to nursery. The benefits of her being able to play with her peers and learn far outweighs the risk of her getting seriously ill from Covid. Do you remember the first lockdown when they shut everything? I actually think my DD became depressed, even at just 2.5yrs old. 3 months of seeing nobody, no playing, no fun etc was too much for a toddler. I’m not putting her through that again.
We won’t see my parents (other than for a walk individually) until the infection rate has dropped as the risk for them isn’t worth it.

amber763 · 04/01/2021 21:09

@mynameiscalypso I just saw that! Crumbs totally lost track of the time there!

WestSideBoom · 04/01/2021 21:09

I work in a reception class and quite honestly if I didn't need to send a child for childcare I wouldn't send them. Yes, everybody is doing their absolute best to make sure the children are as safe as possible, but it's incredibly difficult.

Your child isn't going to miss out socially or educationally. Some children don't even go to nursery and you should do what you feel is right for you and your child and your situation.

Remmy123 · 04/01/2021 21:10

Nursery is safe as were schools - it's then spreading it that isn't

Original poster

november90 · 04/01/2021 21:10

My son is such a lovely little thing, but I can see in his behaviour that he needs to go. Christmas has been lovely but hes ready to go back into his routine now. I also know that our nursery is small and my ex works in a school anyway so we aren't in a isolated set up if that makes sense.
I did wonder if I should reduce his hours... but will that really make much difference?
Oh it's such a mess!

OP posts:

Fireflies33 · 04/01/2021 21:10

I’d take him out your days. If he’s there when you are off it’s just putting their staff at risk. Also on maternity and have taken 2 year old out.

Bizawit · 04/01/2021 21:13

Your son is not at risk. It’s not remotely dangerous for him to go to nursery. Sounds like the bigger issue is you will lose your support bubble?

mynameiscalypso · 04/01/2021 21:15

@november90

My son is such a lovely little thing, but I can see in his behaviour that he needs to go. Christmas has been lovely but hes ready to go back into his routine now. I also know that our nursery is small and my ex works in a school anyway so we aren't in a isolated set up if that makes sense. I did wonder if I should reduce his hours... but will that really make much difference? Oh it's such a mess!

I am really noticing how much my 17 month old is missing nursery (they were closed this week anyway). We try to entertain him and take him out for walks but he is just not stimulated enough and his sleep has gone to shit. When we are both trying to work next week at the same time, it would be even worse and I'm so glad he'll get to go back instead and have fun.

Kollywobble · 04/01/2021 21:16

I live in Wales so we have been in lockdown for a little while already. My DD's nursery reopened today after their Christmas closure and have a strict policy in place that children will only be permitted entry if they appear fit and well (no runny noses etc.) and the staff are adhering to strict cleaning protocols daily. It does help that there are only 6 other children in my DD's group and that all the staff are younger and in the low risk category. So far there have been no confirmed Covid cases in either children or staff since the first lockdown in March.

itshappened · 04/01/2021 21:17

Mine are both going to continue to go to nursery full time. With everything closed it is the most fun they will have over the next few weeks. Also I work full time and the thought of juggling two toddlers and work was really stressing me out, as last time I was at least on maternity leave. There have been no covid cases so far at our nursery so I trust all the families and staff are being as responsible as possible and will continue to be so in order to keep the nursery open.

Original poster

november90 · 04/01/2021 21:18

Sorry I should not that we live with my parents who are in their 60s. Neither are vulnerable... but it does add to my worries.

OP posts:

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 04/01/2021 21:19

How many 3year olds have died of Covid?
How many children have died of Covid?

Covid is about older kids and adults- the closing of schools is to limit transmission not because kids are falling down dead.

OverTheRainbow88 · 04/01/2021 21:20

Could you hold off a week And hopefully infection rates have decreased by then Due to the lockdown?

Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady · 04/01/2021 21:22

Safe for your child? More than likely yes

Safe for the adults he comes into contact with? No, not really.

It's a crappy situation and I feel for you.

I told my child who was fine during the 1st lockdown, that schools will be closed again. He is gutted. I am someone who was considering keeping him off even if they had opened, but seeing how upset he is I think I'd have sent him in.

rumandbiscuits · 04/01/2021 21:23

I don't have any advice really just here to say I know exactly how you feel and am having the same predicament about what to do about my LG going in tomorrow. I am working from home and it's pretty impossible to work whilst I have her with me but on the other hand I do have a very understanding boss who I think would be ok with me having her off and not getting much work done. I'm also 25 weeks pregnant, on one hand nursery saves my soul and gives me a break but on the other hand I am technically 'more' vulnerable to covid.
I'm sure the nursery staff will remain amazing with with children that they care for but from what I've been reading on Twitter they seem up in arms about nurseries not closing and that worries me as I really don't want staff looking after my LG that don't want to be, if that makes sense? And also if there are any nursery workers reading this I completely understand why you would be upset about tonight's announcement.

Spiratedaway · 04/01/2021 21:23

@gooseygander88

Sorry excuse me *@Spiratedaway* your sending your child in because you'll crumble ... don't mind everyone else risking their jobs so you don't crumble!!!

I am sorry but I am allowed to send him in so no business of yours ... my husband is a key worker and I work full time and I pay for nursery Jesus

Spiratedaway · 04/01/2021 21:24

@november90

I feel so heavy with this. I could cry! He and his brother are my whole world and I just feel like I'm damned if I do or don't :(

I also think it is good for the kids too

thisyearsuckssofar · 04/01/2021 21:26

I work in a large nursery and we follow Covid safety guidelines as best we can. The setting is cleaned regularly and staff are very careful. That said, little ones can be snotty, hand hygiene obviously has limitations and in all honesty if one child has Covid it could spread easily in that playroom. Children will most likely not to be very ill. The transmission to staff is my worry. They're not all young. Although I'm sympathetic to working parents, I'm also worrying for my colleagues and their health.

Spiratedaway · 04/01/2021 21:27

@gooseygander88 you are talking shit btw

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