Kids in school vs kids at home

[Elephantsaregrey]

So, it's looking like schools will be shut until half-term and strong hints possibly until Easter. I have one Yr2 child at home (another elder child at school because of an EHCP) because neither of us are key workers. However, I've discovered that over half of my son's class are back in school, several are kids with sahp and very few with two key worker parents. They are getting taught at school, spend lunch with their friends and get to do PE and games together. We have been send some weblinks to BBC bitesize today and timestable rockstars but no actual live teaching. I'm also not allowed to mix my younger child with any others or allow him to socialise at all. If this lasts until Easter it seems grossly unfair. What impact will it have on kids who are at home versus those who have been allowed to go to school? Any thoughts?

I'm in a similar situation. I've got one vulnerable child at school and another younger child at home. Today it worked well, little one loves learning and he loved having me to himself. But last lockdown really affected him, he's a very sociable little boy who took to calling a doll his best friend. I'm also autistic and part of school for him was seeing how NT people behave, he's not going to have that now. I'm going to see how it goes and if he starts regressing socially again I may ask the school if he also counts as vulnerable due to our family circumstances. Its so hard knowing that I can't model "normal" behaviour, but I'm doing my best.

Oh and my child at home is yr2 as well. He did his "double maths" worksheets in 15min this morning. So I've tried to find other things to fill the day.
Things we're doing together include playing board games (they are a way of introducing maths, literacy, art, critical thinking etc). We went out for a run, as part of his PE and then did some yoga. Tomorrow we are going to make some fimo models and see what happens when we bake them. All these things I can do, but stuff to do with emotions I simply can't

Where are these "until Easter" hints?

Just seen this.
Puts school closures into perspective
www.tes.com/news/exclusive-coronavirus-schools-teacher-covid-rates-333-above-average?amp&__twitter_impression=true

It's hard to tell. I'm not sure if kids in school will be learning much.

Planning on sending my dc in 1-2 days per week, as I'm a key worker. Tbh i would much rather not, as it raises our risk of all getting covid. But furlough/ time off is not possible as public sector. Neither option is great.

Maddy68 - absolutely! We were happy to keep the child who doesn't need to be in school at home for the safety of teachers and kids who absolutely have to attend but it's a bit shocking/galling to find out that so many others are in (many with only 1 KW parent and often a tenuous one or with sahp) and they are apparently receiving a full education and able to socialise with others, while the kids who have been kept home as requested feel a bit hard done by! I realise that I have one child in school too (so am putting teachers at increased risk by sending him in) but he deteriorated significantly in his mental health during the last lockdown. He is autistic and often displays challenging behaviour so I feel concerned that my 6 yr old is no longer able to socialise with other more NT kids.

It’s not a good situation. Far too many children being sent in. Some needlessly.

@Whatever - sounds like you're doing a fantastic job! My Yr2 also whizzes through maths sheets too!

These children may not be going in as KW children though - noone actually knows for sure. My Y1 child is going in because he has a EHCP. We absolutely do not advertise that he is vulnerable, his diagnosis or the fact he has a EHCP. None of the parents knows he has a EHCP and his diagnosis is not immediately obvious “in the playground” or at play dates for example. The other parents just think he is going in as a KW child (in fact I am a KW also)

My son will be getting his full EHCP support package (save that his 1-2-1 will not be the same person everyday). He is in his year group KW bubble and they will be following the same remote lessons as those at home (together with live lessons taken by the teacher on the large screen in the class etc). I have been told by the Special Needs Lead that the school is planning on remote learning until Easter holidays as they do not see any significant different changing in 7 weeks.

I think people need to trust the schools are applying the rules correctly and doing the best by their communities, families and children. No one knows the full circumstances of the families that are sending their children in.

You’re probably aware but remember OP that some of the kids with SAHP may be classed as vulnerable and that’s why they’re in.
It is hard for those at home though.
Are children counted in the rule of only allowed to meet 1 other person outside?
I know last lockdown I could meet a friend and we could bring our toddlers with us so they got a bit of an outdoor play date and some social time.

Makingnumber2 - you are allowed to meet another parent with toddler if they are under school age but not otherwise. that's my point really - my son is not supposed to meet socially with any other children until lockdown is eased and they go back to school. I know everyone has to make sacrifices but in a 6 year old kid who relies desperately on face to face interactions with friends due to having a brother with ASD I wonder how long it's fair to expect him to obey the rules for. he was getting respite by going into school before xmas but currently not an option. I think it's something which will need to be considered.

I obviously appreciate that there are kids who are vulnerable (my other son is one of them!) who might be in too.