Is anyone considering keeping their child at home when schools go back?

[Chollok]

Just that really, considering keeping my reception aged DS at home after 8 March for a number of reasons. Wondered if anyone else was doing likewise?

Unfortunately @lifeonhardmodept2 the reality is that schools will be very unlikely to keep offering the home learning provision they currently are, they don't have the staff to run classes in school and support those at home in tandem. You'd hope there would be a period where it was still being offered as children return to school, but it's not guaranteed.

Er no because I have to work to keep a roof over our heads.

Home schooling is a luxury only those that don't have to work can even consider

school is about so much more than academic learning I'm afraid so you are being very very U.

Didn't ask if I was being unreasonable!!

I think the reason you’re getting some harsh responses OP because your title says “child” rather than “reception age child”. There’s a huge difference between a 4/5 year old and an older primary age or secondary age child. Trying to home school a 4 year old is like trying to home school a cat. And my DD has come on a lot at home as well because she’s 4 and every month she grows up a huge amount. Have you considered that your DS may have also progressed considerably at school as well due to just growing up a little? My DD is 4, was not ready for school at all and we chose a very small school because of it. She’s young for her year and was not ready to be in a class of 30. If your DS is young, he only legally needs to be at school the term after he turns 5. Covid or not covid, some children just aren’t ready. And you’re allowed to keep him home or arrange part time hours. Nothing to do with covid but I’m considering requesting part time days because despite my DD growing up, she’s still not quite ready for full time school and that’s fine.

If people read my OP they'd have seen it was a young child

For some reason others are taking my decision personally

I am not judging those sending their kids back. Plenty are judging me though.

It’s interesting that they are starting studies on vaccinating children.

I do worry once the more vulnerable are vaccinated the virus will mutate to affect those largely unvaccinated (ie children and younger adults).

I think if the teachers are going to return to teach the children withrisks that they put themselves in then it would be respectful to send the kids. I completely understood when there was no vaccine but things are getting better now. If your child or immediate family family isn't high risk then I see no reason for a child not to return especially at reception age as i feel these children have been the most impacted along with the older children. If people start withdrawing their kids they should deregister them because the teachers will not be able to mange teaching children full time and trying to set home learning for the children not attending, it's simply not fair and too much pressure on them.

for some reason others are taking my decision personally

Unfortunately I think your post comes across as a bit smug (I’m sure that wasn’t your intention). It comes across as “me and my child have coped so well during school closure we’re planning on carrying on with it”. When a lot of people’s struggles have been really real and really tragic, your post has obviously wound some people up. I’m sure you didn’t intend this but it’s a very emotional topic for a lot of people.

I would consider delaying them until myself and hubby have our jabs. We are both moderately vulnerable and our area is only just about to start on 65-69. We are hoping non exam years go back after Easter as hopefully U.K. would have jabbed all moderately vulnerables by then including teachers who need it.

DS was in reception for lockdown 1. This lockdown, now he’s in KS1 was a whole other ballgame, so much more schooling to do (which is good as more structure to our day).
I say this because it might be a bit premature to decide to homeschool when you’ve only have 1 term of experience in the school system. Reception is very play based. He doesn’t need to be a confident reader after 1 term of school, that’s a strange yardstick if you ask me. At age 4/5 kids need to be learning through play, learning how to learn, and playing and collaborating with friends.

I personally will be sending DS to school ASAP. He is so isolated now. He is halfway through year 1 but so far has only had 3 terms of uninterrupted school. He’ll be in year 2 before we know it and has never been on a school trip, been to a cake sale, school fair, school swimming lessons, he’s only ever had 1 play date because for the first term of reception everyone was settling in to school, and from then on there were concerns with covid!

Actually, 2 terms of school (2x winter terms), and half a term June-July where he was in a strange 10 child bubble with only 2 other kids he previously knew, where the rest of his reception class were all in together 😢

We do mostly play at home, we don't do sit down learning. As I say children don't start formal learning til age 7 in my country so I've always felt uncomfortable about sending him to school before then.

If the government could be reasonably sure that the kids returning on the 8th March would NOT trigger a third peak of cases then I would be delighted to send my kids back.

However if the government knows OR suspects a third peak will result from kids returning to school, I would much rather another few weeks of homeschooling, than another period of lockdown.

I think at the least I will keep him off til Easter and then revisit after the Easter holidays

Absolutely not.

Hard no. My two have missed their friends so much and need the structure of a proper school day

Yes. Mostly, schools are designed to fit one profile and some kids can really suffer. My personal experience with my daughter has been that Primary School is valuable for the basics in education and socialisation. But secondary school was a nightmare for her. I home school her now.

There are a lot of home schooling (and unschooling) resources and being at home does not mean the child is less educated or deprived of social contact.

Of course it is hard if both parents work and you may have to make big changes.

Doris Lessing said it best (full quote here: bit.ly/3tYz9r9)
"We have not yet evolved a system of education that is not a system of indoctrination. We are sorry, but it is the best we can do".

I think we can do better.

*Er no because I have to work to keep a roof over our heads.

Home schooling is a luxury only those that don't have to work can even consider*

That's complete rubbish and incredibly insensitive. I work. I am extremely worried about sending my children back on 8th March with no additional measures in place to make schools safer. I'm not sure how we would cope if we kept them at home longer but yes I am considering it. Your post comes across as rude and tactless.

I do work but my work is mostly done of an evening and at weekends.

Lots of people home school. There is Jo stigma.about it. If you think it is best for your child and you have the time and ability to invest then there is no reason not to.
Male sure you consider how you will do it and work at the same time. How you will give him opportunities that you can't- e.g. sports and pe activities. How will you manage exams as he gets older etc. There are lots of support groups you will find on the Internet.

Ds will stay home as he is medically vulnerable
Dd's, I think I may have to see if they can go back after Easter - but that will risk a fine....it's difficult.
I was hoping that schools wouldn't go back until after Easter, because of the risk of a 3rd wave, but that is looking increasingly unlikely. Fuck.

@Chollok

If people read my OP they'd have seen it was a young child

For some reason others are taking my decision personally

I am not judging those sending their kids back. Plenty are judging me though.

I am impressed by your posts, you have obviously thought this through. Your thoughts all point to home schooling - do what you think is right.

I promise I am not prejudiced against schools - my son's teacher is lovely and I recognise that for many children being at home has been absolutely awful for them. But it hasn't been for my son. He is like a different child now compared to when he was at school.

Ds will stay home as he is medically vulnerable
Dd's, I think I may have to see if they can go back after Easter - but that will risk a fine....it's difficult.
I was hoping that schools wouldn't go back until after Easter, because of the risk of a 3rd wave, but that is looking increasingly unlikely. Fuck.

Such a difficult situation for you

Hell no! She needs to be back, she misses her friends and her teacher, plus we're starting to struggle now with work and school work, being in reception she needs constant assistance