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Original poster

Who is not sending their dc to nursery?

108 replies

rolliy · 07/01/2021 11:10

There has been 1 or 2 threads about who can access a space at schools & how they are overrun as everyone is now a critical worker.

The main concern is that this will not bring the R rate down.

However nurseries, pre school, childminders etc are open. So I presume lots of people are not using that provision?

OP posts:
2020iscancelled · 07/01/2021 13:48

I assume the people not using nurseries are:
Those who have a SATP
Those who have a support bubble which includes a child care issue
Those whose jobs can be done outside of regular hours and therefore does not affect them much
Those who have been furloughed and therefore have no work to worry about
Those who are in receipt of benefit and therefore have no work to worry about

And so on

Nurseries have a much smaller population than schools. My nursery for instance only has about 15/20 toddlers at most. That’s the same as half of one class in one of the years in one of the several schools in my area. So we are talking low hundreds of toddlers across the whole town versus thousands of school children.

So in itself the pure statistical risk is much much less. There has not been one case in my nursery full stop. Of course that doesn’t mean there won’t be but as of 7 months there hasn’t been.

People need to work, for those with school age children they can just about juggle this but with a young baby or toddler it is impossible and not safe.

So yes there is a large factor of it being economically and politically minded. It is also balanced with risk.

Not everything which carries a risk outweighs the benefits. And the benefits of keeping nurseries open are significant to both the parents, workers and children.

It’s all down to your own personal situation as to whether you agree or disagree with it.

Misty999 · 07/01/2021 13:53

I've sent my toddler only 1.5 days a week I have a colicky newborn it's my only chance To rest as am up all night comforting newborn.

mynameiscalypso · 07/01/2021 13:58

There are two aspects to the decision really from a risk perspective:

  1. Are you happy with the risk of your child catching it and bringing it home? More so if you are/live with/see vulnerable people.

  2. Are you happy with the risk of your child catching it and spreading it to the staff who might be vulnerable or have vulnerable people at home?

Of course, you then have to layer in your own circumstances (are you WFH? Are you trying to homeschool an older child?) which will impact your decision.

Personally, I will be sending DS in from Monday when I go back to work. I will be WFH but there is no way I can do my job while he's around in the day so the alternative would be unpaid leave which will be a financial hit we can't really take at the moment (especially as we'd still have to pay nursery fees). In terms of safety of him and the staff, I'm happy with the procedures the nursery have in place - as are the staff based on the discussions I've had with them - and although I'm CV, I don't see much risk there. We are doing everything we can to minimise our risks of catching it and passing on to nursery and not seeing family or going out other than for walks. DS class is also small (12 max and some parents have withdrawn their children because they can SAH with them) as is the nursery itself so it feels like a calculated risk. The staff at ours feel safe - I appreciate it's not the same everywhere - and have access to PPE and regular testing.

whatswithtodaytoday · 07/01/2021 13:59

We've withdrawn our two year old for a few weeks, until cases come down and the local hospital is less overwhelmed. And I'm very glad we have too, because we've just received notification of a positive case in his room.

whatswithtodaytoday · 07/01/2021 14:01

ETA - our nursery hadn't had a single positive case until now. We're both WFH, so it's tough but do-able.

schlugt · 07/01/2021 14:03

I have to send mine 2 days per week

  1. Partner works in a Gp surgery
2 . I work in a healthcare call centre so have clinical calls for a 12.5 hour shift all shift
CaveMum · 07/01/2021 14:07

My DS (almost 4) is continuing to attend. As others have also said our nursery has been extremely strict with protocols since reopening last June and as a result have not had a single case of Covid amongst staff or children. We are very fortunate that it is a large nursery with a lot of outdoor space and rooms with their own toilets, kitchen areas, etc so they have been able to create several bubbles of no more than 15 children plus staff, who do not move between said bubbles.

Both DH and I are WFH and have our 6yo DD at home with us who, between us both working (DH full time, me part time) needs help with schoolwork/feeding/general entertaining. If we added DS into the mix it would be totally impossible for anything to get done properly - the first lockdown was an absolute nightmare and I am actually having CBT counselling at the moment due to it all being the straw that broke the camel's back for my mental health.

So yes, I am sending my child to nursery.

MostlyAmbridgeandcoffee · 07/01/2021 14:09

I’m sending my 2 year old in 3 days a week for my sanity and for his development. I’m on maternity leave so would technically be able to have him at home of course but I am using the time to spend one on one with the baby who gets much less attention when the toddler is about !! Obviously it worries me but it is a calculated risk for us for now.

Sophagain · 07/01/2021 14:15

I’m at home with a baby but I’m still sending my two year old to nursery (more of a playgroup, sessions are just a few hours long). I’m not worried about us as we are all young and healthy, and I think the risk of us spreading it to anyone else is incredibly small, because we’re locked down so not touching anyone! I have a lot of respect for the nursery workers and trust them to make their own decisions, they have said they are very happy to stay open so we can only proceed on that basis. My heart goes out to those who have a more complicated risk analysis and are having to make tough decisions.

NoJetter · 07/01/2021 14:20

I decided to keep ds1 off preschool for a couple of weeks as cases are very high here and my asthma has flared up recently and would not want to catch COVID right now. I am a stay and home mum so I don’t need the childcare. The nursery was originally staying open to all but has been asked by the council to only take keyworker and vunerable children so I’m relieved the decision has been made for me now. Feel bad for ds1 who loves it there though.

Backbee · 07/01/2021 14:27

DS is still going to the childminder, I don't really see the point of struggling to get work done whilst paying for childcare but not using it.

Maryann1975 · 07/01/2021 14:29

Keeping nurseries open is a political decision not a scientific one. The government wants nurseries open so parents can work, and so they don’t have to pay for nursery places that aren’t being used. Of course they’re not safe - but safety isn’t the priority here. Money is
I agree with this completely. Let’s not forget that schools had a magical force Put around them By the government to keep them safe, that didn’t actually work.
It doesn’t matter how many time’s the nursery is cleaned, social distancing is impossible, that’s how it will be spread, through all the sneezing, coughing, licking, breathing Etc on each other. Those places that haven’t had a reported case so far are lucky and only ‘COVID safe’ until someone brings it in to the setting and spreads it round.

EarlGreywithLemon · 07/01/2021 14:30

We're not sending our 13 month old for the foreseeable. We both work full time, though luckily from home.

The nursery already had 4 cases just before they closed for Christmas, and where we are cases are very high. Friends of ours who live nearby had it and were very unwell over Christmas, brought home by their daughter from nursery.
I don't feel it's worth the risk of her/us catching it.

Rosebel · 07/01/2021 14:31

Unfortunately no choice but to send my son to nursery. He starts next week and I'm really worried but have to go back to work. My children are in school too.
I feel sorry for the nursery staff though. The government have basically said they don't care about their lives. Fucking cruel.

EarlGreywithLemon · 07/01/2021 14:31

@Maryann1975

Keeping nurseries open is a political decision not a scientific one. The government wants nurseries open so parents can work, and so they don’t have to pay for nursery places that aren’t being used. Of course they’re not safe - but safety isn’t the priority here. Money is I agree with this completely. Let’s not forget that schools had a magical force Put around them By the government to keep them safe, that didn’t actually work. It doesn’t matter how many time’s the nursery is cleaned, social distancing is impossible, that’s how it will be spread, through all the sneezing, coughing, licking, breathing Etc on each other. Those places that haven’t had a reported case so far are lucky and only ‘COVID safe’ until someone brings it in to the setting and spreads it round.
Absolutely agree. And the parents at our nursery were making zero attempts at social distancing when I last picked her up before Christmas. Perfect chain of transmission there.
Pluto98691 · 07/01/2021 14:37

I am sending mine in. I need to work! I’m not meeting anyone else, taking extra precautions with shopping (buying everything online etc). I’m trying not to feel guilty about it, we have no other support and I can’t work with them home, posts like this don’t help though.

StickTheKettleOnAlice · 07/01/2021 14:40

OP preschools in my area that are attached to schools are closed and only available to vulnerable or children of key workers. I'd assume the open ones are stand alone/private?

CaveMum · 07/01/2021 14:45

@Pluto98691

I am sending mine in. I need to work! I’m not meeting anyone else, taking extra precautions with shopping (buying everything online etc). I’m trying not to feel guilty about it, we have no other support and I can’t work with them home, posts like this don’t help though.
I agree. There is a element (not pointing fingers at anyone on this thread, just saying in general) of "holier than thou" going on.

The bottom line is everyone is trying hard to do the very best they can in bloody difficult situations. If you want to take your child out of nursery, go for it. Likewise, if you are sending your child in as before - crack on. But for goodness sake can we stop the judgemental sneering at people who have made different choices to our own - it's not a competition, no one is getting any medals!

CarriesFlower82 · 07/01/2021 14:46

I'm on mat leave and not back until mid Feb. I have a four year old and a one year old who was due to settle in to our nursery this week. I've kept them both off for now. I would love a break and to deep clean my house (😂) but I'm at home all day and don't need to work so figure I'm doing my bit to stop the spread all round. I'm also anxious about how this new strain will play out... my nursery have had no cases but it seems I know so many more people with Covid now than I did back in November. All effected so differently regardless of age or health. They will have to go in a few weeks but for now I feel it's not necessary and safer all round.

Oh and I have paid in full which is obviously a bit shit! I also spoke to the staff as understand that they don't get the 30 hours funding if the child is attending - they said they can send remote learning sheets and activities and this still qualifies them. So I don't feel so bad about that either!

Original poster
rolliy · 07/01/2021 14:49

I'd assume the open ones are stand alone/private?

Nope my state one is open to all.

OP posts:
terrywynne · 07/01/2021 14:51

I do admit I might not send DC to nursery if it was one with bigger classes, older staff or shared premises with a primary school. However, as it is a small private site with young staff and small numbers in each room (Which are being kept seperate), then yes DC is going in for now.

Original poster
rolliy · 07/01/2021 14:52

@Pluto98691 my post wasn't meant to shame anyone. I already said I was using my nursery.

It was more because I have found all the threads about schools/key workers/vulnerable pretty mental & there doesn't seem to have been the same concern re under 5s.

OP posts:
lemonsquashie · 07/01/2021 14:52

My 2 year old is going to nursery part time. My partner and I both work full time. He is Gov/covid response, a full on job in meetings all day. I'm self employed and my role has been very busy. We can't manage with her here all the time and she spends hours upon hours watching tv and iPads. Not a single case at our nursery. Yet. We've not even had our usual colds this season.

On balance; I feel that she is better off there than at home. You have to weigh up the needs of your child against the greater dangers and we believe the child needs stimulation and attention we cannot provide. If the virus suddenly mutates to affect infants then we shall think again.

Original poster
rolliy · 07/01/2021 14:53

Personally I think there is a lot of faux outrage & some are just pissed off that they don't have a place.

OP posts:
lemonsquashie · 07/01/2021 14:55

Also, our nursery have said that if we decide not to send our child out of fear, we still have to pay. So we shall be sending her in