Masks at handover?

[FTEngineerM]

So I drop DC off at nursery, giving him a sloppy kiss and cuddle (not at handover but in the car just before).

Nursery worker (wearing a mask) takes DC from my arms (masked) and walks inside.

Takes off mask and then plays/feeds/cuddles/rocks/nappy changes/sings to my DC all day then puts a mask on to walk from the ‘under 2s’ room to the front door to hand him back into my arms when I pick him up.

Isn’t there more of a risk being so close to my DC all day than there is handing him over at arms length in the fresh air?

What am I missing, it seems like we’re doing it for show and it’s not got an actual logical purpose. Any viral load that I have in the morning my DC will have too presumably and they’re infinitely more likely to catch it from spending most of the day attached to mine/other children than the 1-2 seconds they’re within 2m of me outside.

I find it a bit baffling too. Although, we wait outside with the other parents to maybe it’s more about not spreading it between parents.

@Spillanelle ah yeah now that’s a good point, I haven’t had to wait with anyone yet we just go down whenever really so not ‘popular’ times.

I work in a nursery. It’s nonsense and does nothing, I agree. Parents mingling outside, yes. Staff, no.

Yes I agree just for show, but I genuinely don’t think anybody knows the correct way to do it, we’re all just trying to show we’re trying

It's to prevent you and her giving it to each other.

Yes, agreed. It’s just for show. Pointless.

It's to prevent the adults from sharing germs. The only reason practitioners are taking them off to be with the children, is because it's best for the children.

At out nursery it helps stop the mixing of bubbles, because the rooms are seperate but the staff might come into quite close proximity with each other at handovers as they tend to be busy periods with lots of staff handing over/collecting children at busy times, so corridors or the handover area get busy

I must be unlucky then . My nursery keep their masks on all day. Not sure how good that is for communication.

@MuddyWalks

It's to prevent you and her giving it to each other.

I thought that but dissecting that point:

My DC dribbles on my face when I shoosh him above my head when playing because he’s teething.

He bites my eyes/nose/face.

He tries to give me kisses (slaps his open gob on my mouth).

If I had any respiratory virus he would too order vice versa. I think that’s probably true for any main carer and child? Above are a few examples where we would routinely be allowing the virus to transmit if it were present.

Then for the 1-2 seconds they’re in my presence outside we must be masked but the day with DC and not masked.

@Siennabear what age are your DC/s? Do they wear them in the baby room too?

@Letmeout21 ah straight from the source, thanks, it seemed that way. I’m not going to stop obviously.

We have to wear masks at handover for my eldest at pre-school, the staff seem to be able to choose between masks or visors. I agree it’s a bit daft at the door. Our nursery is split into different zones & each has its own door, so staff do not mingle. And my DD is old enough to come running out to me without me needing to go anywhere near the staff member bringing her to the door! However, DD attends a large nursery & there is often a long queue at drop off & pickup. Naturally I chat to the parents & kids I know in the queue, so I see the point there!

Interestingly, my younger DD has just started a different nursery & they’ve told us no masks for drop off at the baby room as they don’t think it’s in babies best interests. They need to see mum/dad/grandma smiling & reassuring them as they aren’t verbal. I really appreciate this policy as I’ve not been able to go in & settle her. Again, a separate door so no mixing of staff and it’s a small nursery so I’ve yet to encounter a queue! Staff & parents just stand well back bar the immediate passing over of child!

Mine has a policy about children coming in in their outdoor clothing so they don’t need to bring a bag and not bringing a comforter in. I think my 1 year old’s comforter or bag is a negligible risk compared to him! It also means that I have to stand around in the car park dressing him in his coat etc. just for the staff to take it off again the minute he’s inside.

The nursery is just trying to tick boxes to look covid secure and things are pretty much normal once children are inside but it’s frustrating that these policies are somewhat detrimental to young children and annoying for me for no benefit to anyone.

We also have masks at drop off. I don’t like this as my DS doesn’t respond in the same way when I’m in a mask and is struggling to settle at nursery as it is but I am glad the staff don’t wear masks inside. I’d think about pulling him out altogether if they did. I think it’s damaging for babies’ development to be cared for by people in masks for a long period.

Oh that’s sad @Chessie678 - the younger children should be allowed a comforter off at a minimum nap time. We are allowed to take one for naps. We take bags to both nurseries with spare clothes etc.. but I know my friend has to leave her sons bag there all week & not take back & forth.

I completely disagree with wearing masks around under 3’s. I’m on the fence about 3-4. My eldest isnt bothered by them but I still think she gets verbal cues from facial expressions..

@FTEngineerM all the staff wear masks, even in the baby room! The nursery is for from 6 weeks to starting school age. I was a bit 🤔when I first saw them but understand they want to feel safe... just glad my lo isn’t a baby and learning how to talk! Hopefully they will drop the masks at some point.