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Original poster

If a child has to isolate, but not parents, how will you manage childcare?

178 replies

ginforall · 30/08/2021 15:44

Something which has been playing on my mind, so interested in others opinions on this. If your child tests positive so needs to isolate for 10 days how will you manage childcare if you do not need to isolate and work expects you in? I officially get one day paid to sort out childcare, and then it would be unpaid, DH same. Usually we would ask grandparents if needed (but obviously not if DS had covid). I'm assuming one of us would have to take time off unpaid which would feel a little frustrating (both teachers so no option to wfh).

Hopefully won't be an issue but interested in how other parents are planning to manage.

OP posts:
BaconAvocado · 30/08/2021 15:46

We were so nearly in a similar position and had no idea! We don't feel we can ask grandma if child has covid. We've decided we'd have to take half the time off each and tell our bosses that's the best we could do

PotteringAlong · 30/08/2021 15:46

Have you not had this already with bubbles bursting at school? DH and I both teachers, 6 periods of self isolation for the children this academic year. Had to take it unpaid. School hated me… Blush

PotteringAlong · 30/08/2021 15:47

Did split it with DH. His school hated him too…

AzureTwist · 30/08/2021 15:47

No idea! Have saved a bit of holiday, which hopefully will be allowed to be taken at short notice. Also, I think if one person in household has a positive test, rest of household has to have a PCR - so would have to be off for a day to get results? I have not had to isolate, or be off with suspected symptoms - whereas some colleagues have been allowed quite a bit of time paid for this. Now the rules have changed, it will be typical my children are positive when I am expected to be in work!

BaconAvocado · 30/08/2021 15:47

But in reality I think my workplace would rather I didn't come in so I'm guessing unpaid leave.

Shapesorted · 30/08/2021 15:50

DC school let them teach from home... Surely it was the main thing teachers learnt how to do this year!

Original poster
ginforall · 30/08/2021 15:50

Oh no at @PotteringAlong 6 lots of isolation must have been a nightmare to manage! We had one period of DS having to isolate from a case in his class, work were pretty good about it and we managed to split the time off and still be paid (it was after yr 11 and 13 had left so I needed minimal cover). They sent out a new staff attendance policy on the last day, which makes me think they may not be quite as forgiving now.

OP posts:
WiggIyWoo · 30/08/2021 15:53

@Shapesorted

DC school let them teach from home... Surely it was the main thing teachers learnt how to do this year!
Yes, we learnt it isn't exactly ideal for 4 year olds (who still need the same ratio of adults present, regardless of whether there's a teacher on the screen).
Akire · 30/08/2021 15:53

If a household has it you still need isolate track and trace will tell you that. Living with someone is different from close contact you may have seen at work for half an hour and then have the double jabbed exemption.

Rules are confusing as A- don’t need isolate if a contact but B- household must isolate. Family in situation and have been reading guidance.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 30/08/2021 15:54

Pretty sure the gov is aiming to move away from +ive needing to isolate. Instead it'll be 'if they are actually ill, then stay home - otherwise back to school/work'. By doing this they've sneakily made it really tricky to work out, it'll piss businesses off, so everyone will be 'relieved' when they can just treat covid like any other child sickness.

whiteonesugar · 30/08/2021 15:57

@Akire not in England, if you have a person in your household with Covid you don’t need to isolate if exempt (double jabbed, under 18.5, unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons)

Akire · 30/08/2021 15:58

I’m not in England. OP didn’t stay where they were!

whiteonesugar · 30/08/2021 15:59

Forgot to add pic

If a child has to isolate, but not parents, how will you manage childcare?
whiteonesugar · 30/08/2021 15:59

That’s why I said not in England lol

Original poster
ginforall · 30/08/2021 15:59

@akire where have you read that guidance? My understanding was that if double jabbed/under 18 you are advised to get a PCR but do not have to isolate. Work will expect me in based on that.

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot it is tricky to work out and I can see that having to take time off work to care for a positive child who may have no symptoms will cause frustration.

OP posts:
KicksLikeASIeepTwitch · 30/08/2021 16:00

I work part-time so will take off the time and pay it back for goodwill.
DC's bubble burst three times last year.
Now they are talking of not making close contacts isolate, it should be easier.
It will be interesting how many parents opt in for lateral testing at the start of term. Also how many send their kids in sick regardless (I played fair and square last year and took kids out for an autumn cough, got them tested etc More fool me. I was in the minority).
What annoys me is that unless you were positive yourself and unless you were already on UC, then work days lost due to childcare were not reimbursed; it was down to individual employers to sort.

Original poster
ginforall · 30/08/2021 16:00

Sorry @Akire you're right I didn't say where I am, I am in England.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 30/08/2021 16:06

@ginforall 4 of ours were between October half term and Christmas (3 children, 4 settings if you include wrap around care) and 2 after may half term. Also both secondary. It was a complete nightmare.

BitterTits · 30/08/2021 16:11

I expect we'll have to take time off unpaid. It really pissed me off that people who can't WFH are disadvantaged in so many ways, having risked our health throughout the pandemic.

Original poster
ginforall · 30/08/2021 16:12

@PotteringAlong must have been very stressful. We were very lucky last year. Maybe should be a bit more optimistic about this year and hope that work will be understanding if we did have to be off. Hope the new school year goes well for you.

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/08/2021 16:21

I'm a single parent. I'll just have to take unpaid leave and claim the government grant which I believe I can do as I get tax credits. Hopefully shouldn't be an issue though as we've both just recovered from Covid and I'd probably catch it anyway if DS has it.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/08/2021 16:23

@PotteringAlong

Have you not had this already with bubbles bursting at school? DH and I both teachers, 6 periods of self isolation for the children this academic year. Had to take it unpaid. School hated me… Blush
DS's bubble never burst, some of the other year groups did but not his.
20viona · 30/08/2021 16:26

Unpaid leave.

StressyWoman · 30/08/2021 16:27

I’ll have to take it off unpaid, yet again…

bizboz · 30/08/2021 16:45

DH and I both teachers. Would have to take half the time each unpaid. Or maybe they would expect us to teach the class online from home. Hopefully not as that is bad enough with a healthy child at home to look after. My parents are both in their 70s so I wouldn't ask them for help if a child had Covid.