Worried about toddler

[ToddlerLockdown]

My toddler (just 3yrs old) is looked after by my mum while I work part time. Pre covid this was a great set up for us, she got to spend time with her granny and go to lots of toddler play groups.

Since March all play groups have been closed. Doesn’t look like they will open anytime soon. I’m worried about the lack of other children in her life. We are thinking about her joining preschool but don’t know if it’s fair to increase risk on my mum or stop contact? Also worried about making a decision on nursery/ preschool at the moment when you can’t even go inside or meet the staff etc.

It doesn’t seem like restrictions will end any time soon. The unknown impact on my child is really worrying me. I don’t know what to do for the best.

Any one else in the same position?

Hopeful bump

Personally if I had to choose (which I did) I chose Pre school rather than my parents as I really want my kids Tom interact normally and socialise with other kids. But, now we only see my parents outside but j think it’s worth it!

It's something I'm also really worried about. My DS was due to start preschool last week but it's closed as it's a school based one. We're a long way away from family and he has had barely any opportunity to play with other children since march. Not sure what we're supposed to do really. There's, quite rightly, a lot out there about older children and even about babies, a whole article on the BBC today about babies born this year missing out on socialising!! But almost nothing about preschoolers. There's no alternative too, not like zoom is any good for a 3 year old. I would definitely be thinking along your lines, although I can see your concerns re. contact with your mum, but I think if there is the option I would definitely be thinking of preschool or nursery.

Yes thinking of joining one in the spring/ summer but it’s now been such a long time since playing with others.

Before I thought it would just be a few months not a year!!!

I keep weighing up scenarios ( aka worse case scenarios), currently we have a good set up which is relatively low risk. If they go to preschool, catch covid there is a risk, however slow that one of us could become seriously ill. And is that worth it?! I know is low risk and you could argue that the lack of children interaction is real and actually happening..... so preschool probably is the way to go.....

Struggling with the same question - it's so difficult to know how long is too long without interaction with other children.

A suggestion - I know it might not work in all circumstances - can you form a childcare bubble with another family in a similar situation? The key - and probably difficult thing - is finding another family who are similar and with the right age kid(s) so your risk isn't increased too much and so it fits with both sets of parents lives. There will be some increase in risk of course, but there are also benefits to the children (and adults). It's certainly lower risk than sending to nursery where multiple households will be mixing.

My little boy is 2 years 5 months. He started nursery two mornings a week a few months ago. I'm so glad he has that interaction with other children. My parents were our main childcare pre-covid but my Dad is ECV so we have chosen nursery over a childcare 'bubble' with my parents. No easy answer as I worry about him missing out on family bonds. But we maintain those in other ways. It's a relief for me to know he is spending a few hours a week playing and laughing with other little ones.

Ps. I was able to go in for a 'settling in' session wearing a mask. Then had to start dropping him off at the door. Not ideal but he coped OK.

Yes I agree with pp, go for a childcare bubble with another family instead of with your mum. It will be sad for your DD not to see your mum but at this point, not having social interaction with other children her age for almost a year is much worse. We are allowed a support bubble because of our baby under one. We have bubbled with our friends who have a similar age baby so we can support each other and the babies can play and interact. We chose this over forming a bubble with family because of the effect on our babies, and we don't regret it.

Childcare bubble with another family is a great idea but it's been a difficult for meeting other families