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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:
bizboz · 30/08/2021 16:47

I should add I teach KS1 so it's very hard to teach from home on a screen while they are in the classroom!

SellFridges · 30/08/2021 16:56

Would you not deal with it in the same way you would if your child had D&V, chicken pox, or just a bad cold? You’d have to take time off unpaid. This isn’t a new scenario anymore.

Howshouldibehave · 30/08/2021 17:02

@SellFridges

Would you not deal with it in the same way you would if your child had D&V, chicken pox, or just a bad cold? You’d have to take time off unpaid. This isn’t a new scenario anymore.
Mine have never had to be off for 10 days for any of those things befor though. It would be a few days max usually and DH and I could easily cover it between us. Or if still recovering but not infectious, they could go to grandma for a few days, but I wouldn’t do that where covid is concerned considering their age.
Banani · 30/08/2021 17:08

We’ve been in this situation recently, work have let me wfh and juggle my hours as needed (appreciate not everyone can do this). It’s been really stressful as the same level of work has been expected, meaning I’m starting earlier than I should, making a not great job of juggling ill and bored kids with work, then working into the night to catch up.

Original poster
ginforall · 30/08/2021 17:13

@SellFridges

Would you not deal with it in the same way you would if your child had D&V, chicken pox, or just a bad cold? You’d have to take time off unpaid. This isn’t a new scenario anymore.
It's the length of time and being unable to ask any other family members to help which would make it different to any other illness.
OP posts:
Howshouldibehave · 30/08/2021 17:16

I can see people who can’t work from home, eg teachers, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, drivers, retail staff will need to have periods of absence to look after young children (who may have gone to grandparents with other illnesses). If there isn’t suitable cover, eg supply teachers, locums etc, appointments will be cancelled and services restricted, classes closed. This will affect everyone-particularly other working parents.

BaconAvocado · 30/08/2021 17:17

@SellFridges

Would you not deal with it in the same way you would if your child had D&V, chicken pox, or just a bad cold? You’d have to take time off unpaid. This isn’t a new scenario anymore.
No as grandma is my emergency backup childcare and I can't risk her getting corono in case it kills her
AnnaSW1 · 30/08/2021 17:19

We both worked from home and split hours/childcare.

Howshouldibehave · 30/08/2021 19:56

No as grandma is my emergency backup childcare and I can't risk her getting corono in case it kills her

Yes, this is the problem-lots of people would previously be able to ask grandparents to have kids with a bad cold or after the first couple of days of other illnesses but you wouldn’t want to risk them spending hours each day with a poorly highly contagious child wanting cuddles!

HelloMissus · 30/08/2021 20:10

We didn’t have any bubbles bursting with our foster kids so hasn’t come up yet.
But if they catch Covid we’ll take a bit of time off each. Also adult D.C. will be home for a few months so could help,

ProfSprout · 30/08/2021 22:02

Also both teachers.

We were super lucky last year and didn’t need to isolate at all…maybe we will continue with that luck this year.

If not, a combo of asking my jobshare to do some extra days & paying her back later, dh is slt so could probably manage a couple of days wfh as could I, plus lots of showing willing & sharing it between us and hopefully that way we wouldn’t need much of it to be unpaid.

To the pp who said it’s the same as any other illness, it really isn’t because I would ask the grandparents for anything else plus it’s usually a day or 2 maximum. Yes cp is different but I had them vaccinated against that to avoid needing time off!

Think this next term may be tricky.

BluebellsGreenbells · 31/08/2021 00:14

A single parent with several kids could effectively be off work for a month.

With no real government pay scheme it’ll be down to either the member of staff or good will of the employer

I will bet it won’t belong before companies come up with a covid policy regarding pay and children.

Those without savings are going to feel the pinch

Yet again it’s the poor and woman facing these challenges.

motherrunner · 31/08/2021 07:13

DH and I are teachers and we’ve always split childcare and taken it unpaid. We have never had family to do childcare, been nursery and wraparound since birth, so we just take it on the chin.

careerchangeperhaps · 31/08/2021 07:22

If your child is isolating it would be because they have Covid as they no longer have to isolate as a contact. Therefore, any kind of childcare from outside the household (I.e nanny, grandparents) would not be appropriate. Any employer that wouldn't support this would be unreasonable and most likely be liable for legal action if the parent's jobs were put at risk.

nahnahnahnahnahyeh · 31/08/2021 07:24

You'd need to treat it like they have hand foot and mouth or any other illness that means they can't attend nursery, and your compassionate leave (or equivalent).

Findahouse21 · 31/08/2021 07:26

We're lucky and can both work from home. When it's dd6 then we both just work and try to support home learning the
Best we can within breaks etc. For dd(18m) we did an arrangement of me working from 6-the end of naptime (3ish) and dh working from 12 - evening. Not ideal and both shattered but got it done.

Booknooks · 31/08/2021 07:27

I thought if someone in the household was actually positive everyone had to isolate, it was only if someone is a contact and had no symptoms that double jabbed don't have to?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 31/08/2021 07:29

@Booknooks

I thought if someone in the household was actually positive everyone had to isolate, it was only if someone is a contact and had no symptoms that double jabbed don't have to?
No not in England. Only the positive case in the house has to isolate and anyone in the house who is over 18 and unvaccinated also has to isolate. Anyone under 18 and adults over 18 who are fully vaccinated do not have to isolate if they haven't tested positive themselves.
motherrunner · 31/08/2021 07:30

@Booknooks

I thought if someone in the household was actually positive everyone had to isolate, it was only if someone is a contact and had no symptoms that double jabbed don't have to?
No isolations for double vaccinated and all under 18s.
lannistunut · 31/08/2021 07:31

Yes, this is a nightmare for those who can't easily wfh. If you have a horrible boss they can sack you for it.

Going to be shit for kids, shit for teachers, shit for parents, shit for employers. Thanks, useless fucking government Angry

Original poster
ginforall · 31/08/2021 07:32

I think a government scheme would certainly help take the pressure off employees and employers. Even some recognition that this has and will continue to be a problem would be nice.

Agree entirely with everything you have said @BluebellsGreenbells.

OP posts:
user1487194234 · 31/08/2021 07:33

Even inScotland if someone in your household is positive and you have had both vaccinations and a negative PCR you don't have to isolate

Neverrains · 31/08/2021 07:35

Unpaid leave split with DH. And I have 3 children so if they catch it off each other it could mean taking a month off. We don’t have the savings to cover it post losing a large part of our income due to Covid so it’ll be more debt on the credit card!

lannistunut · 31/08/2021 07:35

@ginforall

As shithead Gavin Williamson has said it's parents' job to keep cases low, don't expect any fucking recognition of reality from the government Angry

madmumofteens · 31/08/2021 07:37

My son has COVID I have symptoms but negative PCR my doc has signed me off as viral infection likely COVID my employer insisting I have another PCR where do I stand they are obviously trying to get me back to work doc says it can take up to 14 days to show positive 😞