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Original poster

Should I send my child to pre school

218 replies

HearMeRawwr · 21/01/2021 10:22

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

OP posts:
HereComesATractor · 22/01/2021 19:08

lcdododo I’m in absolutely no doubt that having nurseries open increases the risk of spread, though it’s debatable to what extent that will be and I’m sure varies by area, setting etc. That isn’t quite the same thing as saying “ In those under 7, rates in schools are increasing dramatically” (which the graph you provided does not show explicitly - I had already seen that one as it happens, and thought you might have more detailed information), and nor does that say anything about nurseries and preschools specifically

HereComesATractor · 22/01/2021 19:10

I work with the staff at my child’s nursery. We are colleagues and friends. I hear the good and the bad. Half are worried about covid, half are worried about losing their jobs because of the risk of the nursery closing.

Thefeep · 22/01/2021 19:13

I’d keep her home. As long as you’re doing stuff at home she doesn’t “need” to be there. My children never went to any sort of nursery or pre school so their first Proper experiences with other children was year R and they were absolutely Fine and both settled into school really well.

redsky21 · 22/01/2021 19:18

I work in a nursery. We have had seven staff test positive in the last 2 weeks, two of them (in their 20's and one is pregnant) are really very poorly. Majority of staff are not happy to be there, but are very good at acting as though they are.

Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 19:30

@redsky21

I work in a nursery. We have had seven staff test positive in the last 2 weeks, two of them (in their 20's and one is pregnant) are really very poorly. Majority of staff are not happy to be there, but are very good at acting as though they are.
Yeh the nursery teachers I spoke to must have been "acting" 🙄
Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 19:32

@Thefeep

I’d keep her home. As long as you’re doing stuff at home she doesn’t “need” to be there. My children never went to any sort of nursery or pre school so their first Proper experiences with other children was year R and they were absolutely Fine and both settled into school really well.
And I'm guessing this wasn't during covid times so they could socially interact with children their own age plus sounds like they had each other.

My DS is an only child and he doesn't mix with other children when he isn't in nursery.

pinkpip100 · 22/01/2021 19:36

Yeh the nursery teachers I spoke to must have been "acting" 🙄

I imagine they probably were. I know every one of my colleagues would come across as delighted to be at work looking after the children, when they are speaking to parents. But every single one of them would rather we were only open to keyworker and vulnerable children, like schools are.

Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 19:40

@pinkpip100

Yeh the nursery teachers I spoke to must have been "acting" 🙄

I imagine they probably were. I know every one of my colleagues would come across as delighted to be at work looking after the children, when they are speaking to parents. But every single one of them would rather we were only open to keyworker and vulnerable children, like schools are.

Of course you'd know as you were there. She actually said she didn't like working from home as her DH works from home too and she likes to have that separation so they have something to talk about.

They wear PPE. I find it hilarious that it's ok for health care workers to deal with actual covid patients yet teachers shouldn't be at school! Just do the job you're paid to do!

Anyway nursery have to stay open.....

Freddiefox · 22/01/2021 19:53

Yes I've had a chat with some of them and they are happy to be in. I'll take her at her word and not dissect it.

Of course you do because it suits you to believe it, but don’t pretend that you are concerned for their welfare, it’s disingenuous.

redsky21 · 22/01/2021 19:54

As has already been mentioned, most nurseries don't allow ppe.

Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 19:56

@redsky21

As has already been mentioned, most nurseries don't allow ppe.
I am talking about the nursery my DS goes to. They wear PPE!
redsky21 · 22/01/2021 19:58

Yes but you've also told us to just get on with the job we are paid to do. Most of us are expected to do that with absolutely no protection.

Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 20:00

@Freddiefox

Yes I've had a chat with some of them and they are happy to be in. I'll take her at her word and not dissect it.

Of course you do because it suits you to believe it, but don’t pretend that you are concerned for their welfare, it’s disingenuous.

No I'm not concerned. People are dying from covid who have underlying healthy problems or the elderly.

The nursery staff are DS nursery are young - well from 20's to 40s I'd say.

Anyway I don't need to justify anything. My DS is going to preschool and he is now thriving 🙂

pinkpip100 · 22/01/2021 20:00

*They wear PPE. I find it hilarious that it's ok for health care workers to deal with actual covid patients yet teachers shouldn't be at school! Just do the job you're paid to do!

Anyway nursery have to stay open.....*

As several people have said, the majority of nursery staff (like other school staff) are not wearing PPE, as they have been advised by the government not to. Also, I assume you mean cloth/disposal face masks? In which case, as obviously the children aren't also wearing these, the risk of transmission from children to adults remains.
In almost all other occupations there are legal requirements in place to protect employees. These might include reduced numbers, mandatory face masks for everyone, screens, social distancing etc etc. Nursery staff are expected to work with none of these in place, in enclosed spaces with often large numbers of children and other adults. I know all of my colleagues love their jobs - and most have been doing them for 20+ years - but they didn't sign up for this.

Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 20:02

@redsky21

Yes but you've also told us to just get on with the job we are paid to do. Most of us are expected to do that with absolutely no protection.
I didn't realise that. I had assumed you were allowed. Sorry!
redsky21 · 22/01/2021 20:02

Well as long as you're ok, fuck everyone else hey?

Freddiefox · 22/01/2021 20:04

No I'm not concerned. People are dying from covid who have underlying healthy problems or the elderly.

That’s makes sense now, you’re one of those people.

HereComesATractor · 22/01/2021 20:04

@Ilovegreentomatoes

What about the mental health of the nursery staff? Of course because you had a chat with some and they were all so happy to be back!Hmm
I don’t really get this sort of comment. It’s not like you care about parents’ mental health, is it? Do you think either of our mental health is of concern to the government?

I do think more should be done to recognise, support and protect nursery workers, and I think there should be options in place for those who are vulnerable or have family members who are. But I have PND and sending my child to nursery one day per week is one of the few things I have access to right now to keep my household on an even keel. There is no support out there other than the option of paying for a few hours’ childcare for one of my children. I will keep doing it as long as it is available to me. I don’t expect nursery workers to make decisions about their working environment or nursery opening/closing based on my mental health, but I am going to keep paying and sending my child (provided he is well of course) into nursery as long as I am permitted. Whether nurseries stay open or close, the mental health of parents and staff is neither here nor there as far as the government is concerned, it’s all about controlling the spread and reducing the pressures on hospitals.

Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 20:04

@redsky21

Well as long as you're ok, fuck everyone else hey?
Excuse me? Conversation ended. Goodbye. I had explained in my comment below.
Freddiefox · 22/01/2021 20:05

Anyway I don't need to justify anything. My DS is going to preschool and he is now thriving 🙂
For now

Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 20:05

@Freddiefox

No I'm not concerned. People are dying from covid who have underlying healthy problems or the elderly.

That’s makes sense now, you’re one of those people.

😂
Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 20:15

@Freddiefox

Anyway I don't need to justify anything. My DS is going to preschool and he is now thriving 🙂 For now
Elaborate.
Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 20:19

@HereComesATractor

I agree.

It's also hard enough looking after your own mental health and your child's without then having to think about every single nursery teacher in DS nursery. Btw this is a nursery / preschool attached to a private school. They get looked after. I know this.

Nursery children are allowed to go (for various reasons) so I send him.

I don't need to justify it to anyone.

pinkpip100 · 22/01/2021 20:27

I don't need to justify it to anyone.

No one has asked you to justify it. But lots of people (you included) were very quick to tell the OP to send their child to pre-school, irrespective of the fact that there doesn't seem to be any reason to - and in that case the most responsible position would be to keep them at home.

Bumblebee1980a · 22/01/2021 20:30

@pinkpip100

I don't need to justify it to anyone.

No one has asked you to justify it. But lots of people (you included) were very quick to tell the OP to send their child to pre-school, irrespective of the fact that there doesn't seem to be any reason to - and in that case the most responsible position would be to keep them at home.

Hmm no I wasn't quick to tell her I just answered a question.

I disagree with you.