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Original poster

Would you send your child to nursery

25 replies

Cupcakefairy12 · 08/01/2021 06:18

As the title says really. My three year old hugely benefits from nursery. I am 6 weeks away from giving birth, high bmi so additional risk. I’m struggling with the decision on whether to send him or not. I go back and fourth with guilt and reality. It would only be until after the baby is born to reduce the additional risk if I did stop sending him. What would you do?

OP posts:
DisgruntledPelican · 08/01/2021 06:23

I would - I think the benefit to you from the rest and relaxation before giving birth would outweigh any concerns. Nurseries are stringent with cleanliness.

MonkeyPuddle · 08/01/2021 06:30

I did up until about 3 weeks before I was due as I didn’t want to run the risk of DP having to isolate when I was in labour in case DS brought anything home.

Trackandtrace · 08/01/2021 06:37

I wouldnt send mine.

ginandvomit · 08/01/2021 06:39

This is why the Uk is in this state. For goodness sakes keep them home you will reduce everyone's risk by doing so. It not just about risk of death, it's the long term effects too.

PodgeBod · 08/01/2021 06:42

I would keep sending them and then stop maybe 2 weeks before you give birth, just because I would be worried about them having a case in the nursery and having to self isolate when you are due to give birth. I do live in one of the most effected parts of the country though.

inquietant · 08/01/2021 06:42

I definitely wouldn't send mine now, the last thing you need is covid with a newborn!

Nurseries shouldn't be generally open at the moment - they are not in Scotland.

princessbananahammock252 · 08/01/2021 07:11

I'm in the exact same position as you, except I am 36 weeks. My DH suggested during Christmas that we don't send our DD back to nursery until new baby is here. This was suggested after a couple of babies (separate support bubble to DD's) at the nursery tested positive on Christmas Day. I wasn't keen on the idea at first as I'm struggling to keep up with DD physically now but DH's contract ended at the end of December and he thinks he won't get a new contract now until at-least after the baby is here so we decided to keep her home. Our support with DD whilst we are in hospital is already limited as my in laws are classed as vulnerable, my parents live 200 miles away (and my siblings) and our only option being my BIL and SIL work full time (SIL works with vulnerable clients) and have school-aged kids. If we end up getting covid or having to self isolate it would make things very complicated in this area, not to mention the hospital wouldn't allow my husband in with me for the labour and delivery! If you have the support physically to keep him home, I'd suggest you do to keep things ticking over smoothly for whatever plans you've made when it comes to having the baby.

TopBants · 08/01/2021 07:14

I didn't send DD when pregnant. Not worth the risk in my opinion. Then again, I haven't sent her yet and DS is now 3 months old. Think she'll go in February though, now DS is out of the scary newborn window.

edgeware · 08/01/2021 07:16

I did, and didn’t stop when I had a newborn. The risk of covid is still small, whereas it is guaranteed that you will need some time without your 3 year old when you have a newborn... Presumably you are having baby in hospital?

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 08/01/2021 07:57

No. Hospitals are struggling and Boris has been very clear re the stay at home message. It’s not just the risk to your family but the other families and staff.

They should have closed them.

chocolatesweets · 08/01/2021 08:01

I would.

felttree · 08/01/2021 08:11

To me it seems by the gov keeping nurseries open they are forcing parents to make a moral decision, which really isn't fair.

Keeping nurseries open suggests they are safe but many parents feel as though they shouldn't send children in (despite paying) to 'do their bit'. I think it's quite unfair for the gov to put that decision on parents.

I'm heavily pregnant and sending dc in because ratios are small, the nurseries are legally open, dc loves it, I've paid for the service and I can't work if dc is here.

If I wasn't using the service I wouldn't be paying and I'm not sure my nursery could survive a big withdrawal of children.

Remmy123 · 08/01/2021 08:14

I send mine. I'd lose my job otherwise . Simple.

inquietant · 08/01/2021 08:16

@Remmy123

I send mine. I'd lose my job otherwise . Simple.
That's completely understandable but quite different from the op's situation.
TopBants · 08/01/2021 08:19

it is guaranteed that you will need some time without your 3 year old when you have a newborn

I wouldn't say it's guaranteed. It depends on your newborn- I've had no problems having both of mine at the same time so the time because my newborn has been a doddle.

Icytundra · 08/01/2021 08:25

I had my baby on first day of lockdown one, so I had no time with just newborn until she was about 3-4 months old. It was fine. But my nearly 4 year old is also still going to her preschool as it's still open (in a nursery) and she'll have to go back full time in a few weeks when I return to (key) work after maternity leave

Looneytune253 · 08/01/2021 08:31

The idea of the lockdown is that the lowest amount of people mix as possible so if you have the choice I wouldn't send him. There is very little risk to young children but if you don't send him then maybe one member of staff can stay off and their children don't have to go to school. If a few of us do it then the numbers can reduce a lot. If you need to send your children in for work or whatever then don't feel guilty and your child will be safe but if you have another option please use it

Thegirlhasnoname · 08/01/2021 09:14

I am (35 weeks pregnant).

Porcupineintherough · 08/01/2021 09:20

I wouldnt as the last thing I would want in your position is cv in the home or to get sick myself.

Dee1975 · 08/01/2021 09:21

No! We are in a lockdown due to a pandemic. Of course your child benefits from nursery, but we are all ‘losing things that are beneficial’.
You are also pregnant. Why on earth would you send your child somewhere where he could pick up Covid and pass onto to.
The only children going to nursery or school should be where parents are key workers and unable to work from home. Everyone else STAY HOME

perfectpanda · 08/01/2021 09:31

I'm not in your situation pregnancy wise. But having signed my 3 year old up to continue nursery, I couldn't bring myself to send him yesterday. I watched the news and just figured keeping him home was one of the tiny things I could do to stop the spread. I am lucky though as my work organisation will support us through this so long as we do our best work wise. I'm fully aware not everyone has this privilege but it gives me an element of choice. (Also, he has had to self isolate 3 times now and I would rather have him home every day with a long daily park trip, than locked up for a further 10 days or potentially ill)

HairyToity · 08/01/2021 09:31

We've all had covid. We absolutely will be sending DS. It's the only thing that will keep me sane. Working from home with a 3 year old is impossible.

Tearsfortiers · 08/01/2021 09:32

No way! The risk is too high. You are vulnerable and do not want to risk your newborn getting it. Keep him safe at home.

letsmakethetea · 08/01/2021 09:37

Yes, definitely. The older one will benefit from doing things/seeing people, and with a new baby on the way, you will need a break.

Mistlewoeandwhine · 08/01/2021 09:42

No. You are vulnerable and kids spread Covid.

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