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 hasn't issued any guidance to parents either way e.g. send them in at all costs or keep them out if you possibly can. Just, 'if one parent is a key worker child is entitled to a place'. That's it.

I’m also a SAHM with H who could technically fit into a ‘key worker’, not a chance in hell I’d take a place. That would be utterly selfish and morally wrong IMO.

I have 5 kids, 4 of whom are at school and one is a baby. It’s shit and really hard but it’s got to be done 🤷🏻‍♀️

No.

I also think the definition of key worker is too broad.

For example me and OH got an email yesterday to say we count as key worker. Both work for civil service. Both been WFH since March.

So technically we would be able to send our child to school.

Civil servants who have to go into the office, yeah ok. But not a blanket "you're a key worker" for everyone.

NHS, Supermarket staff, emergency services, teachers on a Rota, pharmacists, haulage. That's about it that I can think of tbh

I'm a key worker (NHS clinical) but not using the space as dh isn't a key worker.

Although - dh has to work and cannot work from home. He is the higher earner so cannot take time off. We financially couldn't afford for him to take time off for me to go in.

I instead have swapped shifts and most sessions are covered but will have to leave children home alone for 3 hours one day next week (between me going to work and dh arriving home) and ask a vulnerable family member to look after them another day. They are 8, 11 and 13 but sensible calm children.

I really think that a school place is meant for no other option for keyworkers to work.

Kids dad is a teacher i work from home full time in a senior management role. I won't be sending mine in as i feel it is my social duty despite being tenuously eligible and it pushing me to my limits. I want this over so need to do my bit.

Definitely keep your dc at home. Our school has explicitly said that we should care for our children at home if at all possible and if there is one keyworker parent in a two parent family, the other parent is expected to provide care and any home learning.

I was surprised when DH said he has been told he's a key worker - he 'sort of' works in payroll, but only tangentially. The definition of key worker seems to be basically meaningless if it includes people like him.

But as I said the attitude around here seems to be, if you can get away with sending them in, send them in. Definitely not seeing anyone going above and beyond the restrictions at all.

@Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady

No.

I also think the definition of key worker is too broad.

For example me and OH got an email yesterday to say we count as key worker. Both work for civil service. Both been WFH since March.

So technically we would be able to send our child to school.

Civil servants who have to go into the office, yeah ok. But not a blanket "you're a key worker" for everyone.

NHS, Supermarket staff, emergency services, teachers on a Rota, pharmacists, haulage. That's about it that I can think of tbh

Delivery drivers, bus drivers, train drivers, refuse collection, postmen/women, food/medical manufacturing, engineers, just to name a few more. It is a broad list when you think of what it actually takes to keep the country going.

DH is also one of those 'technically a KW' if you look at the list (electricity industry). But WFH modelling energy scenarios is not what we would class as KW. I do think some people take advantage of vague wording which is a shame.

I am also technically a KW as I work in a supermarket, but that's only 1 day a week.

I think schools need to be a lot stricter with parents.

YABVU

I’ve read a few of this type of thread today and Actual critical worker parents seem to be doing everything they can to avoid sending their kids into school which is interesting.

DH is emergency services and I work from home 4 days a week. We're still sending our 4yo to nursery, and our 9yo will do a few hours a day with her childminder, who is still open for keyworkers. We thought that was the safest compromise, so we can work (and he can sleep off night shifts) without filling the school up

@Squashpocket

Our school hasn't issued any guidance to parents either way e.g. send them in at all costs or keep them out if you possibly can. Just, 'if one parent is a key worker child is entitled to a place'. That's it.

They are totally irresponsible and will be responsible for further cases and pressure on the NHS.

@AvoidingRealHumans

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.

He's FOUR.

LIfe is education.

Few minutes a day on phonics counting a few things, maybe playing a few matching/board games/jigsaw puzzle. Narrating a story...all fun stuff you can do with the sibling.

You have put this on to create a reaction. Why would you send your kids to school if your a sahp? People are having to take unpaid time of work as they have no childcare? look after your own child and don’t be bloody lazy and selfish. The whole point of schools shutting is to slow down the spread of the virus.

No you mustn't send your child in. That is not what the provision is for. You are at home so your child can be with you.

Please, please don’t send your child unless you absolutely need to. I’m a teacher and back in tomorrow with 20 children, my normal class is 24, so virtually my whole class. I’m CV but have to be in that classroom without distancing and a mask - I’m at no less risk than I was on Monday. Might as well not be a lockdown IMO, I’m still as much at risk.

I think if you CAN keep kids home, you should.

You even WANT to keep him home

No brainer to me

People using the schools just to make life easier are acting disgracefully on several levels.

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.
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I don’t really see the point of closing the schools If this is the case. If that’s one school, it’s prob happening in lots more up and down the country. The kids that are at home are just being punished while their school mates are back at school, being taught and socialising. It’s very unfair. If they wanted to make a big difference the schools should have opened to two keyworker parents only. Then scaled the keyworker status down. The whole system is set up for parents to take the total piss so they can have a few hours of childcare for an easy life.

@CalmDownBoris72
I’ve read a few of this type of thread today and Actual critical worker parents seem to be doing everything they can to avoid sending their kids into school which is interesting.
Not in my school, we’ve got 70% of our school who apparently “need” a keyworker place. We had 15% on first lockdown.

@LadyPenelope68

Please, please don’t send your child unless you absolutely need to. I’m a teacher and back in tomorrow with 20 children, my normal class is 24, so virtually my whole class. I’m CV but have to be in that classroom without distancing and a mask - I’m at no less risk than I was on Monday. Might as well not be a lockdown IMO, I’m still as much at risk.

Do you know how many of those children are genuinely vulnerable or have parents that are both 'proper' key workers?

Sounds like you need to get your head to look at the eligibility criteria?

If you are a SAHM then no

@LadyPenelope68

Please, please don’t send your child unless you absolutely need to. I’m a teacher and back in tomorrow with 20 children, my normal class is 24, so virtually my whole class. I’m CV but have to be in that classroom without distancing and a mask - I’m at no less risk than I was on Monday. Might as well not be a lockdown IMO, I’m still as much at risk.

Why aren't teachers who are in this position handing their section 44 letters in?

If they wanted to make a big difference the schools should have opened to two keyworker parents only. Then scaled the keyworker status down.

Absolutely this. I'm genuinely in disbelief that teachers and unions are accepting the current state of play. The arguments put forward at the weekend was that teachers were practically being sent to their deaths...

I also think the definition of key worker is too broad

I agree but it is being applied wrongly and taken out of context.
DfE guidance

• Critical workers Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined in the following sections.

The key phrase is 'critical to the coronavirus....response'. Not all critical workers are key to this.