One key worker parent - would you send your child in to school?

[Squashpocket]

My DH is technically a key worker - in the sense that his work will give him a letter confirming it, but the country would hardly grind to a halt if he didn't go to work. I am a stay at home mum.

I have a 4 year old in reception and a 2.5 year old at home.

In theory we would be allowed to send DC1 in to school, but I don't want to partly because I feel like it would be a shitty thing to do to the teachers, but also if I'm honest I like having him home and it's nice for DC2 to have a playmate.

I feel guilty about not wanting to send him in and him missing out on education/socialising because I prefer having him home.

Am I right to keep him home or is it shit to make him miss out on school when he actually could be going?

Our school would only take keyworker children if no one else could look after them.

Sahm sending kids to school is just increasing everyone’s risk so why would you?

No, I would save the place for those who have no option and can't otherwise manage.

If you are able to stay at home with your child then I would do not send him to school.

No of course you shouldnt, theres parents who's jobs are at risk because they have no childcare options.

Of course you shouldn’t send your child to school. Schools are open for key workers to enable them to continue to work so the country doesn’t grind to a halt. They are closed to everyone else as the advice from the government is to stay home unless you absolutely have to go out. If your child has a stay at home parent, please don’t put the staff at their school at more risk or increase the risk to the children whose parents have no choice but to send them in! The fewer children in school the safer for everyone - your own family included!

I have sent DS in, his dad is a key worker and I'm not but I also work and can't do my job from home. I wouldn't send him in if I was at home and able to look after him so in your case I'd say keep him home.

Im a SAHm with Dh works long hours ina 'critical' role (his job i Covid response currently)

I feel it would be immoral to send them to school currently. They can safely stay at home.

No I wouldn’t in your situation
Yes the socialising, but balance that against the risk he might bring covid home to you and by him being there you are increasing the risks to teachers and other families

No. You don't need to space so don't take it.

I wouldn't. The places should be for those who have kids with SEN needs or when both parents are key workers. If you are a SAHM then I don't think you should take a space. I know it's hard and difficult with two children but that's the case for lots of people right now.

Your not even working from home! Your role covid or not is to look after the children - where is your moral compass?

Good, I want him at home. I just feel a bit guilty that it's me that's made the decision to keep him home. But if I did send him I'd feel guilty about that too - actually I'd feel worse.

Of course you shouldn't. Wtf

Based on the discussions on our class WhatsApp group about 75% of the kids will be in today, most with only one key worker parent. I wouldn't be surprised if that's quite common.

My DP works in a school and said something along these lines in a conversation about this last night -

Parents should absolutely not feel guilty for not sending their child in to school even if they're a KW. The fewer children that are in, the safer schools are, and our school only had a certain number of KW places so taking up a space unnecessarily is unfair.

You would be taking the piss if you accepted a space going on what you've said.
Also, he isn't home to keep your baby company, he is home to stop the virus spreading but whilst at home he should be remote learning.

Our school have been very clear in saying evening you are a critical worker if it is possible to keep your child at home then you should. DH and I are both critical workers but we can work and manage our 3 DCs without using any support so that is what we will be doing.

I very silently judged my friend who is a stay at home mum to a 2 and 3 year old who is sending them both to nursery still, her rational was if it wasnt safe it wouldnt be open. I feel very sorry for EYFS and nursery staff today

No as you’re a SAHM. If you were working yes.

You will be supporting exactly the same as in schools so they won't be missing eduction. Also as a sahm you wbu to send them in. The whole point is to reduce as far as possible the numbers in education buildings to help reduce the spread. More kida in = more spread, bubbles bursting, staff of sick schools closed to all. So please keep your kids at home with no guilt.

@Squashpocket

Based on the discussions on our class WhatsApp group about 75% of the kids will be in today, most with only one key worker parent. I wouldn't be surprised if that's quite common.

That is just ludicrous! Totally defeats the object of closing schools. What's wrong with people FFS! I'm a keyworker and DCs schools won't offer us a place as DH isn't a keyworker. This is the right move in my opinion. The school I work at will only offer 15 keyworker places per year group of 60. They are prioritised in need. Why on earth are some of these schools letting 75% of kids attend?!

Everyone I know is continuing to send their 2 and 3 year olds to nursery. Mine doesn't go, so no decision to be made there anyway. But I know of literally no one that has taken their younger children out of nursery and the vast majority don't work at all. Those that do work 2/3 days a week.

Of course you shouldn’t send him in if you haven’t even got a job, never mind if you’re a key worker or not, that’s the whole point of closing the schools so there’s as few children as possible there.

Totally unreasonable to send in as a SAHM. Dh is a teacher, I WFH FT, I won't take the places as there are those that need them more and why increase the risk of you don't need to?

DD is in Y3 and we had a call from school asking if we wanted a place due to SEN needs. We are both 'technically' key workers but didn't seem right to take a place. It was lovely that the school called to offer a place and we were thanked for being 'community minded'.

I do wonder about the rationale behind sending kids in when you don't need to. It's hard not to judge but everyone is in the same position now, just get on with it.

I a key worker (teacher) my hisbabd is not but he does have an essential business that can't be done from home so in theory he could stay at home but it would affect our income so I have asked for key worker places. I only work a couple of days a week though so they won't be in if I'm home.