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Original poster

66% of my daughters reception class are in school this week

521 replies

Crazyoldmaurice · 04/01/2021 22:29

We live in a very affluent part of South West London, avg house price 750k+

Turns out that 66% of my daughters reception class are due to attend school this week. There are 75 kids in her year group and all 48 keyworker child places have been taken (I was too late to book her on so have had to send an email!).

Hardly seems worth keeping the 25 other kids off at this point.

OP posts:
finager · 05/01/2021 11:47

I'm sure they will soon release attendance figures & Im sure it won't be as high as some are suggesting.

finager · 05/01/2021 11:49

Yeah working with kids around is difficult...

Who has claimed otherwise but the fact remains key workers are entitled to places.

finager · 05/01/2021 11:50

Most nurseries, KGs, preschools have remained open. Should people not send their kids in?

formerbabe · 05/01/2021 11:51

@finager

Yeah working with kids around is difficult...

Who has claimed otherwise but the fact remains key workers are entitled to places.

One Keyworker parent with a sahp? Childminder who works from home?

Should their dc be in school?

dodgem · 05/01/2021 11:52

Luckily for me my kids school only need one parent a key worker otherwise we would be in a mess

Timbucktime · 05/01/2021 11:52

@Dontfightit

SE London. Yep all the teachers are in... (we were using remote learning and both my kids' teacher recorded their daily video in the classroom)

Practically half of every class are 'key worker' children despite many having a SAHP or furloughed parent Hmm

I know for a fact there are only 3 real key workers (teacher, doctor, paramedic), I'm pretty sure there's been some lies told (part time drama teacher, civil service admin in dept. of justice, bank IT contractor all of whom are WFH). These same people were NOT sending their children in the first lockdown. It's making a mockery of those who really need it and defeats the whole point of closing schools to reduce transmission.

The government made a list of all the jobs that are regarded as ‘proper key workers’. I certainly know of an IT worker who is a proper key worker, it depends on what industries they work in.
Nikhedonia · 05/01/2021 11:57

@dodgem

Luckily for me my kids school only need one parent a key worker otherwise we would be in a mess
Yeah, imagine being in a mess. Would be awful wouldn't. Glad it's sunny uplands for the rest of us.
finager · 05/01/2021 11:58

Should their dc be in school?

Are childminders key workers? If so & the school can accommodate them then I don't see the problem.
The childminder might take up one place but facilitating many more.

You said upthread you were a SAHM do you think you should have a place?

formerbabe · 05/01/2021 12:01

@finager

Should their dc be in school?

Are childminders key workers? If so & the school can accommodate them then I don't see the problem.
The childminder might take up one place but facilitating many more.

You said upthread you were a SAHM do you think you should have a place?

Well bizarrely I know some childminders who are using the key worker places and some who aren't which would indicate its a choice rather than a necessity.

Yes I'm a sahm, I don't think I should have a place but it's pretty grating that my dc seems to be one of the few at home whilst others have sahp and a key worker parent so get a place. Or others do part time admin from home and get a place.

NotSoHappyNewTier · 05/01/2021 12:01

@finager

Should their dc be in school?

Are childminders key workers? If so & the school can accommodate them then I don't see the problem.
The childminder might take up one place but facilitating many more.

You said upthread you were a SAHM do you think you should have a place?

Are Childminder’s own children already counted in their ratios though?
finager · 05/01/2021 12:04

Well bizarrely I know some childminders who are using the key worker places and some who aren't which would indicate its a choice rather than a necessity.

I don't think it's bizarre, surely it depends on the circumstances. A childminder with a 5 yr old may be fine looking after them whereas a childminder who only has babies may want to send their 6 yo in.

Also ratios? childminders are only allowed a certain number of children in their care.

Dontfightit · 05/01/2021 12:04

* People are objecting to the parents who are blatant taking the piss and applying a very liberal interpretation to the term key worker.

Most schools are asking for job description & employer name I believe. If a school isn't then I presume they don't have many who need spaces.*

Not in our school. Maybe it doesn't happen in your school, but you will feel mad if ever saw it happen

This isn't about who deserves a place more, it's as simple as demanding a formal employment reference which would help the full time hospital doctor mum get a place and deter those abusing the system and not on the government key worker list.

finager · 05/01/2021 12:05

@formerbabe is your husband a key worker?

formerbabe · 05/01/2021 12:06

I thought ratios were loosened during the first lockdown?

What do the childminders do with their dc in the school holidays then? I know plenty...I know what they do, they keep them at home with them.

formerbabe · 05/01/2021 12:06

[quote finager]@formerbabe is your husband a key worker? [/quote]
No

finager · 05/01/2021 12:06

Like I said let's see the attendance figures.

NotSoHappyNewTier · 05/01/2021 12:11

@formerbabe

I thought ratios were loosened during the first lockdown?

What do the childminders do with their dc in the school holidays then? I know plenty...I know what they do, they keep them at home with them.

That’s what I meant, why use Keyworker place when they have to have space for their own children, also increases risk to Mindees.

Genuine question?

finager · 05/01/2021 12:12

I don't know the childminder guidance. Mine was TTO so I can't comment on that.

Wakeupin2022 · 05/01/2021 12:15

Yes I'm a sahm, I don't think I should have a place but it's pretty grating that my dc seems to be one of the few at home whilst others have sahp and a key worker parent so get a place. Or others do part time admin from home and get a place.

I would love to have your life at the moment!

DH keyworker, I wfh in an essential industry. My children will be at home with me as I can ultimately provide childcare.

I don't feel sorry for myself. It is what it is. I just need to put in my big girl pants and between DH& I we ensure kids are fed, watered, educated, exercised and emotional needs met. Its what we did the last time. But I really can't believe you are moaning when your situation is clearly better than others.

formerbabe · 05/01/2021 12:18

@Wakeupin2022. I'm not moaning about my own particular situation. I'm irritated that so many others, like yourself, are having to struggle at home whilst others are completely playing the system.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 05/01/2021 12:18

@Wakeupin2022

Yes I'm a sahm, I don't think I should have a place but it's pretty grating that my dc seems to be one of the few at home whilst others have sahp and a key worker parent so get a place. Or others do part time admin from home and get a place.

I would love to have your life at the moment!

DH keyworker, I wfh in an essential industry. My children will be at home with me as I can ultimately provide childcare.

I don't feel sorry for myself. It is what it is. I just need to put in my big girl pants and between DH& I we ensure kids are fed, watered, educated, exercised and emotional needs met. Its what we did the last time. But I really can't believe you are moaning when your situation is clearly better than others.

To be fair she’s not moaning it’s hard for her- she’s saying how unfair it is on her children and many others- it’s unfair on parents who truly need the place. In fact you should agree, more people in school the longer this situation will drag on for you and your children.
formerbabe · 05/01/2021 12:21

And anyway, I'm not especially bothered about myself, more upset for my dc who are stuck at home again whilst their school friends get to still socialise rather than sitting at home

finager · 05/01/2021 12:21

I doubt there are many truly playing the system but we will have to agree to disagree.

finager · 05/01/2021 12:22

@formerbabe would you take a place if it was clear your child was struggling?

thecutback · 05/01/2021 12:24

The more people that go into school, the longer this will continue for everyone.

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