Delaying sending DC back to school due to covid - thoughts?

[bubblesaway]

Just that really. Thinking of not sending DC (4) back to school this week and waiting until we know more about the data re Omicron post Christmas. Not sure if I can legally do it but as she's under 5 and only in reception thinking it may be okay but also not sure if I should. Wondering if any other people thinking of doing the same.?

No

If she doesn't have any other health concerns I'd send her in.

I wouldn’t. The majority of the population won’t either as they have to work. We are all extremely likely to get it.

Nope. We’re two years on. Education has been affected enough. Unless you’re planning to keep your child away from everyone, including yourself, you can’t stop them catching Covid. You’re trying to control something uncontrollable.

If they catch it, what is it that’s worrying you? Are the CEV?

Why though?

What is worrying you?

I wouldn't. I wish the government would leave us alone to have a cold in peace.

No, we did last year as no one was vaccinated, cases, hospitalisations and deaths were rising and we have an elderly relative living with us, but now it’s pointless. They’ve missed enough already.

Why?

Is your DD CEV?

We did last year and then Boris closed the schools after a day so we were vindicated (still went down as unauthorized though 🙄). If they’re little, I’d be tempted as they don’t have to be in school anyway.

No, dd will be going to school on Wednesday no matter what 😉

No I definitely wouldn't at this stage.

We are awaiting an email update from (primary) school tomorrow.
But thinking the same OP - I'm not feeling the wisdom of returning to school just yet . Unsure of legalities too but hey if we don't return will happily face that I guess. It's clear education is a pleasant bonus versus childcare in these plans- I'm geared up for learning if needs be for the coming week or so ahead....and beyond if necessary. Been here before I'm also wondering if there may be some eighth hour I-turn again following Wednesdays review.

I'm happy for mine to be in. My two had covid in December so it's been a long few weeks. One was asymptomatic and the other poorly for one day. It's very rare for children to get seriously poorly!

Nope, not keeping mine home ever again unless I have no choice.

Covid is not going anywhere, whilst one of mine was ‘fairly’ unaffected by homeschooling, it almost broke my other child.

So, nope. Off to school they go.

What are you worried about? Omicrom is more transmissible but has less severe symptoms. The amount of children who have been seriously ill from covid is extremely low. It really is just a cold for most people, if they even know they have it at all (I only tested bc my dd had tested positive before she had a dental appointment, I was positive too but neither of us had any symptoms at all.)

Don't keep your child off school. If omicrom or other variants crop up every winter as they probably will, will you keep her off every winter? You need to think rationally about it.

I'd keep her and myself away from people for three weeks as I think things will have moved on by then. We'll be in the heart of the post Christmas wave this week and it is just possible schools get closed next week anyway. We don't yet know the impact of long covid or covid in general on young people. It means I could help other members of the family who are having to otherwise isolate because of age and health issues.

Missing education and socialisation will be far more harmful than omicron. If your child isn’t classed as clinically vulnerable you have no reason to consider keeping them home.

I’m worried about it too but I think I’ll have to send them in because our school seem very unsympathetic. Not so much as an email from the head today to reiterate any measures we have had in place before Christmas. Refused to go back to staggered start and finish despite playground being absolutely packed and most parents refusing to wear masks despite the trust requesting they do so.

We also kept ours off last year before the government U turn.

@DoubleShotEspresso

We are awaiting an email update from (primary) school tomorrow. But thinking the same OP - I'm not feeling the wisdom of returning to school just yet . Unsure of legalities too but hey if we don't return will happily face that I guess. It's clear education is a pleasant bonus versus childcare in these plans- I'm geared up for learning if needs be for the coming week or so ahead....and beyond if necessary. Been here before I'm also wondering if there may be some eighth hour I-turn again following Wednesdays review.

An update from the school would be so useful. They closed early at the end of last term and waiting three days to see how the land lies seems sensible to me. Would like to know legalities if child under 5.

Definitely not no

If you have the rare luxury of being able to, she is not of legal school age yet, as that is from the term following their 5th birthday so they can't fine you yet.

I would never keep my children off school even if I didn't work full time and simply didn't have the option. They need school. Your DD will miss huge chunks of phonics development in 3 weeks, and some of the vital maths building blocks she will need. The school are under no obligation to provide work or catch your DD up when she returns which could leave permanent gaps in her knowledge

No, I think it would be cruel and unnecessary.

Absolutely not.

No, especially given her age, I would want to minimise disruption in her first year of school!

@Bouncer500

No, I think it would be cruel and unnecessary.

This.

Unless your child has specific health concerns, you should be sending them to school.

And I'm honestly not saying this in a judgy way, but how would you consider your anxiety levels overall?