Childminder not following covid guidelines

[Rainydaize]

I have 2 daughters who both go to the same childminder. Dd2 had a positive test but the childminder refused to take dd1 stating that there were vulnerable children in the setting and they could be investigated if more children caught covid.
They are both therefore isolating. Dd1 had a negative result at the same time dd2 had a positive so I thought she would be fine to go in.
I was then asked to do another PCR on dd1 so she could go back in, but this has come back positive. I spoke to test and trace and they have said that she should isolate from the start of symptoms (when she got her negative test) and to assume the negative was a false negative. This would mean she could go back to the childminder on the same day as originally planned.
The childminder has called a helpline apparently and has now asked for ten more days isolation from the date of a positive test.

I'm self employed and will really struggle to work if I have to do another ten days isolation with dd. (They are both pre schoolers).

My dp isn't around, we separated over lockdown due to dv, so it's taken a long time for me to finally try and get my life back and this has just really stressed me out. I've had to cancel so much work already without the girls being allowed in, and I'm already trying to save every penny I can for a decent Xmas for them.

All of this doesn't sit right with me because it's going against the guidelines but I know I've got a lot of personal stuff going on too so aibu to wonder why they can't be going in?
What should I do?

Ok, this is what I was trying to establish. My clients are very much of the mindset that it's the government guidelines I should be following, and this is the first I'd heard of anywhere doing something different to the government guidelines. I hadn't realised it was commonplace for people to still be living by previous restrictions.

My son has a part time job and had been near a positive case and then had cold so tested and was negative , his work have still asked him to stay off until his cold has gone

I think you're right about test and trace. They will be able to tell me when isolation should end. I hadn't thought of that before.

@Rainydaize everywhere is different.
Has your childminder said the won't have your dd back 10 days after positive test ?

This says if you have symptoms and negative PCR that you should still stay home until you feel well again

@Rainydaize

Of course that's what people are doing. Just like they are continuing going to work if they have positive cases in their household. Because that's the guidelines.

Well no, the guidelines don't state if you've clearly messed up the PCR and have a false negative sod it, send them in anyway.

If they both had symptoms and one was positive then common sense surely tells you they both have covid?

@worriedatthemoment no, the query at the moment is if it should be ten days from symptoms or ten days from positive test.

Hiw many days between the 2 tests?

@Rainydaize I can understand why she wants it from the test as you had a negative first with symptoms is that right?
So my son has a negative but my understanding is that within the 10 days of contact if he has a new symptom or tested again and its positive we would go from that date of that test, as it could be coincidence that he had a cold , then covid etc
Its not very clear but I can see why she is maybe being cautious but I can see from your point as well
I lost my temp job as had to isolate twice due to symptoms in family and waiting a pcr for me , they they said I had too much toke off despite following their procedures.
Its all a real mess
Hope your dd's are feeling better

The reason some businesses have strict rules is that if it spreads to other children and staff, they will have to close. The childminder said she was worried about a vulnerable child AND being investigated if more children caught covid.

@worriedatthemoment thank you, this is exactly why I'm worried because it's already affecting work and clients are being so arsey with me not being available. I'm just about getting by and thought I was following the rules and thought I knew where I stood. Both girls have been ok actually and their symptoms just look like a cold. If it was a normal day I wouldn't think twice of sending them in.

I wish I had the luxury of being able to choose not to send them in if they had any sign of illness, but I don't. I don't have family nearby and contact with dp is barely there. I thought the new guidelines were meant to help get life back on track without whole households having to isolate.

The CM is a self employed business just like you are. She has other parents who also pay her to consider. Some of these are vulnerable according to you. If they pull their kids out because of how she has handled Covid, she doesn't get paid by them. She is in the exact same position that you are.

If you don't like her rules, go and find another childminder. FWIW, I think most nurseries and CM would be similar.

@Rainydaize I fully sympathise with you I really do , maybe speak to track and trace again
Its hard as 4 of us in our house all out workplaces have different rules , one follows the government guidelines to the letter the other 3 have their own rules

How many days extra isolation does it add if you go from the positive test

It is hard for you OP. But it does not matter what track and trace say. The CM can have her own rules.

My childminder told us straight away she was following old guidance and if anyone in our household tested positive she wouldn't take child. I would think she'll take ur little ones ten days after the second positive test.

@Cadburycup77

The CM is a self employed business just like you are. She has other parents who also pay her to consider. Some of these are vulnerable according to you. If they pull their kids out because of how she has handled Covid, she doesn't get paid by them. She is in the exact same position that you are.

If you don't like her rules, go and find another childminder. FWIW, I think most nurseries and CM would be similar.

@Cadburycup77

I do agree with what you're saying, when I've had to do site work I've always followed government guidelines so that's my reference point. Because then my clients can't complain about my protocols as I'm following guidelines set by the government. I assumed most places were doing the same to avoid any personal come back on decisions that differ to these.
For example, how could my CM face any backlash if she is following govt guidelines?

@Ki0612

My childminder told us straight away she was following old guidance and if anyone in our household tested positive she wouldn't take child. I would think she'll take ur little ones ten days after the second positive test.

I think in hindsight I should've asked for the policy when guidelines changed. Nothing was mentioned about them doing their own thing which I think they should've made clear.

"For example, how could my CM face any backlash if she is following govt guidelines"

Schools and such are funded by the public. Childminders are public businesses. Parents might withdraw their child for one. However, it is far more likely I'd think that the childminder has an emotional bond with children she looks after and is worried for the safety of the ones that are vulnerable.

We can all see that current policies are letting infections run rife in children justified on the bases that children do not get sick. Obviously this is not true for all children. The government are quite happy to claim they have done everything possible just like the did with care homes! The childminder is apparently cut from different cloth and means it.

For example, how could my CM face any backlash if she is following govt guidelines?

Because not everybody agrees with govt guidelines.

I agree with you OP. Unfortunately it’s one of the downsides of CM vs larger settings like nurseries which are following the guidance more closely in my experience rather than making up their policies on the hoof.

She’s decided her obligation is to one particular family, not her other clients, which is her decision to make.

Safest thing to do from the childminders’ perspective is go with what the helpline told her to do , wait 10 days from positive result before your DS1 is permitted to returns.

Seeing as you were still seeking to send her in after you DS1’s result came back positive, I can see why she has sought independent advice.

She needs to look after the safety of all children in the setting and you are already aware some are clinically vulnerable.

Hopefully this will be you done with isolating OP once you have done the 10 days as both your DC have had it and hopefully won’t get it again, at least for a long time