Should I send my child to pre school

[HearMeRawwr]

My child's preschool is open as normal but given the current infection rates in England I'm wary of sending her. She's ambivalent, she seems to enjoy it, however she equally happy spending time with me (I'm a SAHM).
I'm also worried they may close all pre school settings as further covid reduction/control measures, and don't want her further disruption to her routine.
WWYD

We're currently living with vulnerable FiL and he asked us not to send DS to preschool. If we weren't here we'd be sending him for sure. He starts school in September and has selective mutism. He needs the support he gets from preschool to help him prepare for school.

Thankfully FiL is now vaccinated and has said that, combined with the new safety measures at preschool, he can go back next week. I'm over the moon.

I’m keeping my 3 year old home - we can keep her home, and she is quite happy with her family.
I wouldn’t want to put the nursery staff at any increased risk when I don’t need to.

Not unless absolutely necessary.

It’s not just the risk to your family, it’s others. Risking staff members when you don’t need childcare to do a critical job, potential to close down a bubble leaving those critical workers with no childcare, a child taking it home to vulnerable parents etc.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

Not unless absolutely necessary.

It’s not just the risk to your family, it’s others. Risking staff members when you don’t need childcare to do a critical job, potential to close down a bubble leaving those critical workers with no childcare, a child taking it home to vulnerable parents etc.

Nursery children are allowed!!! And have a real think about why they're allowed!

And there is mumsnet coronavirus section in a nutshell. No easy answer. Do what’s right for you.

But nurseries & nursery workers, if you don’t want us to send our kids, you’ve gotta stop charging us. Ain’t gona happen while you charge £55 a day. I couldn’t afford to basically not be able to work & be being £150 a week in fees. If you offer to stop charging those who may choose not to attend, maybe some would consider it.

@MoirasRoses

And there is mumsnet coronavirus section in a nutshell. No easy answer. Do what’s right for you.

But nurseries & nursery workers, if you don’t want us to send our kids, you’ve gotta stop charging us. Ain’t gona happen while you charge £55 a day. I couldn’t afford to basically not be able to work & be being £150 a week in fees. If you offer to stop charging those who may choose not to attend, maybe some would consider it.

Nursery workers would have no say in this....no point aiming this at them.

@Bumblebee1980a they are allowed not because of scientific evidence that it’s safe, they’re allowed because it enables the work force to continue to work

Nursery children are allowed but I’m convinced it’s more political. It’s essential for those who work full time but I feel for the staff massively. If I was working in a nursery i know for a fact I would not feel safe. Yes your child will likely be affected mildly if at all if they catch it. But what about the staff or if your child brings it home? I’m

Nursery is not essential kids can thrive just as well in the short term. They are so young they love just interacting at home. My three year old has been perfectly happy. He literally tags along helping with daily tasks like preparing dinner etc.

They are allowed because there is not any evidence that they are community spreaders like schools. Show me the stats that they have been as 'bad' as schools? It isn't 'just' about the workforce.

I say 'just' because that's pretty bloody important as well.

[quote Lifeispassingby]@Bumblebee1980a they are allowed not because of scientific evidence that it’s safe, they’re allowed because it enables the work force to continue to work[/quote]
That is one reason yes but it isn't the only reason.

Ive taken my 3yo out of preschool until the lockdown is lifted. I’m at home and he’s absolutely fine here with me. But I’m also vulnerable so that has had a big impact on our decision. You have to go with your gut.

The media often reports (correctly) that very few children die of coronavirus and thus "schools are safe".

But I have felt this reassurance feels somewhat incomplete.

Because we want our children to NOT be at risk of dying (obviously!) but also want our children to NOT be at risk of becoming very ill - as the long term health consequences seem unclear at this time.

This week I pulled the data for hospital admissions since the start of the pandemic and then looked at hospital admissions by age for every region in England.

I felt hospital admissions gives a good gauge on whether people become "very ill".

I am really glad to say that hospital admissions of young children is exceptionally low in every region in England as you can see here: www.covidmessenger.com/hospital-admissions/

The table beneath each chart shows the percentage of admissions by age. Admissions of under 5s are extremely low. As are admissions of 6-17 year olds.

I hope this helps alleviate worries. There are obviously other considerations, such as whether they can "bring the virus home" to other family members. I don't have insight on that element I am afraid.

But hopefully the tables will help inform nonetheless.

@littleowl1 Thanks so much for this.

@Sooverthisyear

Nursery children are allowed but I’m convinced it’s more political. It’s essential for those who work full time but I feel for the staff massively. If I was working in a nursery i know for a fact I would not feel safe. Yes your child will likely be affected mildly if at all if they catch it. But what about the staff or if your child brings it home? I’m

Nursery is not essential kids can thrive just as well in the short term. They are so young they love just interacting at home. My three year old has been perfectly happy. He literally tags along helping with daily tasks like preparing dinner etc.

This really varies a lot between children. Some young children are very happy just pottering around at home. But some really aren't. My 3 year old found the last lockdown really hard. He desperately missed his friends and the nursery routine and his behaviour regressed a lot.

@HazelWong - the op has said her daughter is very happy at home - therefore to me sending her to pre-school seems like an unnecessary risk. I appreciate that's not the same for everyone though.

I work with nursery workers though I am not one - I am currently on maternity leave but still in touch with them as friends and colleagues - and half are worried about covid and half are more worried about losing their jobs. They certainly should be better paid and the fact that they have worked throughout with limited scope for protection at work should be acknowledged. I live in an area where cases are dropping dramatically and there have been no nursery outbreaks. I know people currently can only cope with extreme ends of the range of opinions, but there are more complicated things going on.

I founnd out today that 5 children in my room also tested positive , one of their parents is now very ill, a parent is threatning to sue us.
Nursery staff get no say in fees, that would have to be taken up with management.
I caught this from a child, I am not being paid.

OP, given that your DD is equally happy spending time with you, I wouldn't take the risk of sending her in at present.

I'm a sahm and I'm sending mine in 3 days. DD is learning so much there and has opportunities for social interaction with other dc which she wouldn't have at home (no siblings). She wouldn't be as happy at home with me, as I'd normally be taking her out to activities but they're all shut now. It's a private nursery and we'd still have to pay full fees if we didn't go in. We're in London with fairly high rates yet there have been no nursery outbreaks, and I don't know of any serious cases personally. Nobody in our household is vulnerable and we suspect we all had it (mildly) back in March so we probably have some immunity.

I’d love these parents of ‘my child is happy pottering at home’ to meet mine. Nursery IS vital to my child. Not only does she climb the walls at home no matter how many bloody walks we go on, she’s really bright & gets a lot from nursery. She can write her name, writes all letters, numbers to 100, add up, blend 3 letter words. And nursery recognise this and push her. She goes off with a small group & does ‘further learning’. She really thrives. And she doesn’t half love her ‘best friend girl gang’ and her key worker.

She would not be happy trailing after me while I cook tea 7 days a week, that’s for sure. She’s not an easily placated child, her mind is too busy. We used to fill our free time with gymnastics, swimming, mini runners, softplay, farms, trampolining, art class & it’s just all gone. Without it, we are all at a loss. And nursery at least fills that void a bit. If she’s had 4 fun days at nursery, we can get through the weekend of ... walks 🤦🏼‍♀️

I hugely appreciate nursery staff. I’m currently sending gifts on a weekly basis to say thank you!

Don't send her.

One less child, one less parent for teachers and students to interact with at an age when it isn't essential and a time when we're trying to drop numbers.

@GoldenPoppy so sorry to read this. I hope you and dh get well soon

@HearMeRawwr I am keeping my dd (3) at home. I am a sahp atm so I don't need to send her in for childcare. She hasn't been in at all this term. She absolutely loves loves loves preschool, and I know she is missing out. I feel sorry for her but not sending her in lowers the risk of catching and transmitting for all concerned. If cases decrease significantly i might send her in first week in Feb but most likely will be sending her after Feb half term (covid permitting)

I actually came on here to write the same thread.
Feeling totally torn. I have a 3 and 7 year old at home, decided to wait a while after Xmas to decide re preschool and after 7 weeks at home with youngest, and 3 weeks of a full on home school timetable for 7yo were all starting to struggle. I don’t work, but after the past yr my mental health is in tatters.
The only issue is I’m classed as CEV by the govt, although my GP and Consultant class me as moderate risk, but I’m so fed up of my children missing out on their needs and education. They are unhappy being stuck at home, and my youngest is getting palmed off in front of the TV for half of the day while I’m schooling my eldest.
I just don’t know what to do for the best, rates are plummeting round here in south east

@MoirasRoses - the OP has already said her daughter is happy at home, so totally different situation. It's obviously your choice to send your child in - but just to point out - at this stage learning through play is by far the best approach, rather than formal learning.
@Zem74 again, it sounds like your situation is very different to the OP's - it's a very difficult balancing act. Maybe you could let yourself off the hook a bit with your older dc's homeschooling (7 is still pretty young) and focus on activities that your younger one could join in with too? Lots of ideas on Pinterest etc. And encourage them to play together too to give you a bit of a break?

I would keep her home.