What will things be like in May?

[Knitsewthread]

I know no one knows for sure but I'm hoping for some advice on what to do in this situation?

I'm due back to work from maternity leave in May at which point my DS will start nursery. In normal times he would be going to the on site nursery (45 min drive in rush hour.) However my colleagues are currently all WFH and only a few went back when restrictions eased a little last year.

If I'm working from home, it would make more sense to have him at a nursery closer to home. He has a place at both as knew this situation might happen but need to start making a decision and not sure what to do.

I don't want to settle him somewhere just to have to return to the office a month or so later and have to resettle him again at my work's nursery.

I can't see people going back to the office in large numbers until all social distancing rules are dropped- and that will be a long way off yet. It's physically impossible to get everyone in the office with SD. At the very earliest it might be September onwards once all adults have been offered a first vaccination but they are also talking about still needing some restrictions next Winter- I expect WFH will be part of that.

If you're able to WFH effectively I'd assume you'll be doing that for the foreseeable, perhaps even until Spring/Summer 2022.

Do you know if your work will keep the option of WFH when restrictions are lifted. DH’s office have said they will and are potentially looking at reducing the size of office space they rent

I would always choose a nursery closer to home in any case. Even in non-covid times, if you're ill or off work it can be much handier if nursery is close by; same for pick ups if you have a partner / support close by and get held up finishing. Also, assuming you have a partner and apologies if you don't and this isn't relevant, having a nursery near home rather than your work stops nursery being your job.

I can do the vast majority of my job from home although it is within a customer facing department (my job rarely sees customers). Prior to the pandemic, my manager was never keen on people WFH so I'm not sure if their stance will change. They can be quite stubborn with their views!

There's a few other pros and cons to consider so might ask those on the nursery board but thanks for your thoughts on the covid side of things, sounds like best bet from that point of view is to assume I'll be more home based and go with nursery close by.

I replied on the app which reverts to a different username for some reason but last message was me, thanks all.

Do you have a DP? And if so what will their patterns be? If there’s two of you then it can be quite restrictive to have child at your onside nursery.

Yes DH is WFH and thinks this may become more long term but that hasn't been confirmed. We commute together as our offices are in the same direction so he would drop myself and DS off and pick us up.

Although now I think about it, that probably wouldn't be the case as older DC is now at school so we'll probably both have to juggle our hours meaning we can't car share anymore

I think if both of you will be able to WFH some of the time then the nursery near your home is definitely the best pick.