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Original poster

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

270 replies

bubblesaway · 03/01/2022 19:31

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.?

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 03/01/2022 20:30

Been here before I'm also wondering if there may be some eighth hour I-turn again following Wednesdays review.

Bizarre to believe that they'd go from nightclubs being open to nationwide school closures in the space of three days. Everything will shut before schools do.

OliveTree75 · 03/01/2022 20:30

So what will happen if you don't like the data at the end of the week?

OliveTree75 · 03/01/2022 20:31

The amount of learning covered in 3 weeks of reception is massive. It is NOT playing in the sand, and if it is, there will be an educational goal behind it
This.

WorkWorries1 · 03/01/2022 20:32

I did this last year with DS7 and was correct, they went back Monday, school was cancelled by Wednesday if I remember correctly.

We won’t be doing it this year, there is no money in the kitty for furlough so making school closures impossible as everyone will need to be a key worker

FrownedUpon · 03/01/2022 20:32

Why would you keep her off? Just stupid.

bookworm14 · 03/01/2022 20:33

All the cliches being trotted out, I see, including the old chestnut about Scandinavian kids not starting formal schooling until 6 or 7. They may not start school until then, but many of them are in full-time preschool long before that, which includes some formal learning.

I am still astonished at how covid has seemingly persuaded many people that education is an optional extra rather than a human right.

OliveTree75 · 03/01/2022 20:33

Keep her off, she is tiny, what will she miss...playing in the sand

Yes I did a 3 year early years teaching degree to play in the sand Hmm

Blubells · 03/01/2022 20:33

The amount of learning covered in 3 weeks of reception is massive. It is NOT playing in the sand, and if it is, there will be an educational goal behind it

And would it be fair for her teachers? Would you expect them to send work home?

Remmy123 · 03/01/2022 20:34

Really ... anyone who voluntarily takes their kids out of school for covid (unless CEV, etc) shouid just permanently home-school. You can't just pick and choose like this it's disruptive and unrcessary.

NothingIsWrong · 03/01/2022 20:36

@OliveTree75

Keep her off, she is tiny, what will she miss...playing in the sand

Yes I did a 3 year early years teaching degree to play in the sand Hmm

Honestly, I am an engineer by training and I am in AWE of what reception and early years teachers can achieve with play based structured learning. Until I sat on the school governing body I had no idea of what goes into it, you guys are miracle workers.
RachAnneKirl90 · 03/01/2022 20:38

@bubblesaway

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.
I agree 100%
evilharpy · 03/01/2022 20:39

I've got an operation booked in for next Monday and am petrified of testing positive between now and then as the op would have to be delayed - I was tempted to keep my 7yo off just until I go in for the op to minimise the risk. I'm not going to though. She's missed more than enough school already.

Nomorescreentime · 03/01/2022 20:41

My 4 year old will be going in. You do what you feel is best for you and your family though.

Borland · 03/01/2022 20:43

I’d love to keep my kids off school but I have a job so not sure how that would be possible. I’m assuming you are in the privileged position of not having to work OP? In that case do what you feel is best, the child doesn’t have have to legally be in full time education until they are 5.

gogohm · 03/01/2022 20:48

Kids need to be kids, not being kept home by paranoid parents. Most parents don't even have a his luxury as they work

summertimerolls · 03/01/2022 20:49

How will the data inform your decision about what to do next though? What particular data will make you decide to send back or not send back?

Scarby9 · 03/01/2022 20:49

@evilharpy Ensuring you remain Covid-free for an operation is very different, I think.

OP - have you and your DC been isolated together all Christmas and you want to continue that? I would be concerned about her socialisation if that continued if neither of you is CEV or even CV and there is no obvious end to this pandemic visible.

Jacketpotato84 · 03/01/2022 20:52

You will actually be doing more harm by keeping her off.
You may have a safeguarding referral if you do also

Newyearnewme2022 · 03/01/2022 20:52

I’ve got a CEV kiddo, he’s not going back until he’s had his booster. If he wasn’t CEV he would be going back to school this week.

Lacedwithgrace · 03/01/2022 20:54

DD is staying home. Her teachers support our decision and few other children will be off too. We'll probably end up homeschooling her for a couple of years if this keeps going the way it seems to be. It works for us, it can work for you too.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 03/01/2022 20:55

Send the poor child to school - she’s 4, why should she suffer for an illness that is unlikely to affect her. Even if under 5 you enrolled her in school already so it would be an unauthorised absence.

Lacedwithgrace · 03/01/2022 20:56

@Jacketpotato84

You will actually be doing more harm by keeping her off. You may have a safeguarding referral if you do also
That's very unlikely.
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 03/01/2022 20:57

@SomnolentSekhmet

I'm in a similar situation but my daughter is in year 1. I'm a student and SAHM so don't -need- her to be in school and would really prefer to wait a little bit to see how things play out once the children return to school. The lack of any mitigations at all in primary schools does have me a tad worried.
“Don’t need her in school” ??? School isn’t childcare- it’s an education ffs!
Blubells · 03/01/2022 20:58

DD is staying home. Her teachers support our decision and few other children will be off too. We'll probably end up homeschooling her for a couple of years

At least by homeschooling you're freeing up her space for another child. And her teachers won't have to send work home.

I'm not sure many parents could or would want to home school. But good luck to you!

APurpleSquirrel · 03/01/2022 20:58

Nope - DS is back at preschool tomorrow & DD is back at school on Wednesday. Only reason I'd keep them home is if the school closes or they're ill.
We've all done LTF tests today, all negative, so all back to school/preschool unless we here otherwise from the school.

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