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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:
Scarby9 · 04/01/2022 09:26

And if its snowing only SOME people in the UK stay home. Again, those privileged enough to be able to do so.
Thankfully, snowplough and gritter drivers - to name but two - don't see a few flakes and stay at home.

Covidworries · 04/01/2022 09:27

@gg12346

Seriously Hmm what do you imagine we have done these last few years?
Im certainly consulting with the medical experts who know the situation rather than listening to non experts on here

herecomesthsun · 04/01/2022 09:33

@Scarby9

And if its snowing only SOME people in the UK stay home. Again, those privileged enough to be able to do so. Thankfully, snowplough and gritter drivers - to name but two - don't see a few flakes and stay at home.
little children are not however snowplough and gritter drivers
Covidworries · 04/01/2022 09:37

@nidan2sandan

Whilst i am extrodinarily grateful for all the essential staff that have worked throughout and yes life would have been even more difficult if we had to risk going to the shops.
I do believe those who can take the risk to visit the shops, take their children to christmas events and pantos, send their children to school, that havent spent months in hospital accomadation (although, it is extrodinarily lucky that this is available for families), havent had to wonder if their child will come of life support have a priviledge that others with CEV children do not.

All the while we get mocked for being anxious and stupid.

KalvinPhillipsManBun · 04/01/2022 09:37

I have kept mine off and will continue to do so until I am happy about sending them back.

Twizbe · 04/01/2022 09:42

[quote Covidworries]@twizbe

In your situation i would watch carefully then because the risk of new unknown adults and chamge of rountines at school could also be detrimental.
If school staff in each day are known and general school routine continues then yes school is most likely the best place for your child but if the rountines and staff chamge that may make school very difficult for him for a very long time[/quote]
Thankfully he goes to a tiny school where he knows all the teachers and the teachers know him and his needs.

I'm sorry but no one will convince me that a virus that we all had back in 2020 and that we've been fully vaccinated against is enough of a reason to keep him out of school. Or that another lockdown is in anyway in his best interests.

I have a younger child who had just turned 1 when lockdown 1 happened. I think she was at an age when lockdown didn't impact her really and it shows.

Covidworries · 04/01/2022 09:46

@twizbe

Not trying to convince anyone. You are entitled to do whats best for you and others are entitled to do whats best for them.

Twizbe · 04/01/2022 09:46

@Nidan2Sandan this totally.

I'm lucky that I'm a SAHM and my husband WFH. We don't HAVE to go anywhere because other people can do all those jobs for us.

BUT I do go to shops and support my local high street. I don't take up delivery slots because I can go out and have zero fear of this virus.

I'm no better than someone who can't go out and do those things. But I'm aware that I'm privileged to have that choice.

Twizbe · 04/01/2022 09:47

[quote Covidworries]@twizbe

Not trying to convince anyone. You are entitled to do whats best for you and others are entitled to do whats best for them.[/quote]
Except you seem unwilling at accept that for some going to school and 'colouring in with random adults' is better for their child.

Underparmummy · 04/01/2022 09:47

Wow. No.

Covidworries · 04/01/2022 09:50

@twizbe

No thats not true i was pointing out that for many children colouring with a random adult may not be better.
It doesnt bother me if other people send their children to school, what does bother me is when people make different choices and arent sending them to school this gets loads of comments mocking this.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 04/01/2022 09:52

No children are delayed because of all this nonsense already.

Nidan2Sandan · 04/01/2022 09:54

Whilst i am extrodinarily grateful for all the essential staff that have worked throughout and yes life would have been even more difficult if we had to risk going to the shops.

@Covidworries you dont sound grateful. You sound judgemental about people going on with their lives in the midst of a pandemic. Whilst your personal circumstances with your child are understandable, you still overlook the fact that you can only stay home because others dont.

Covidworries · 04/01/2022 10:00

@nidan2sandan

Well im sorry but you are wrong. Im sorry if it comes across that way because that is not what i meant. Of course people can get on with their lives. The only thing i dislike is people judge those who are being more cautious.

Live and let live. It doesnt bother me if your children go to school, or anywhere. It doesnt bother me if people opt to keep their children home.
I do what is best in our circumstances

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 04/01/2022 10:02

No bloody way.

Plumbear2 · 04/01/2022 10:09

No I wouldn't. My child is in his third school year affected by COVID,if I waited for things to calm down to send him back I would still be waiting.

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 04/01/2022 10:10

@NothingIsWrong

The knock on effects of missing a chunk of learning when all her peers are doing that piece of work will have an impact. Even if it's just a little bit not sure of something, a basic concept of maths that isn't quite fully grasped. It isn't massive failure, it's small bits here and there that can add up over time.

Countries that start at 6, they ALL start at 6 so they learn together. Being out of sync with your class because you don't quite grasp a concept and the teacher doesn't have time to go over it again because the other 29 children have moved on can have an impact that magnifies. Because then the next concept isn't quite solid either. And the one after that is distinctly shaky.

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.

But you listen to those who are saying what you want to hear. I think it is definitely a bad idea. If the whole school shuts, then all will be doing the same thing at home - you will not be provided with work to keep your daughter up with the class if she is the only one, teachers will not have time for this. They are overworked, underpaid and under appreciated "playing in the sand" as to what they plan and structure for their class.

This is a great post. Agreed.
MumToBe1980 · 04/01/2022 10:55

I am also considering keeping my 5 year old (also in reception) at home for the next couple of weeks, Chris Whitty has predicted that we are close to the peak so hoping by end Jan we will see a decrease. My main concern is not short term impact of covid but long term health implications. We didn't believe the HPV virus caused health issues for many years until the connection between this virus and ovarian cancer was discovered, similarly HIV no immediate issues but long term health affects devasting. I know these are sexuually transmitted but my point is that we have no idea how this virus will affect people in the long term. I have some knowledge of virology however I'm no expert so if someone on here has the knowledge to discredit my view I would be really happy if they could appreciate it!
However, I believe everyone must make their own decision based on their own personal circumstances.

Aworldofmyown · 04/01/2022 10:57

No.

Ohsofedupwiththis · 04/01/2022 12:37

@ZoBo123

Our school has just had ofsted. One thing they commented on was how far behind the year 2s are (that was the only year singles out). They said they were seeing this nationally and the reason for it was that they have never completed a full year of school. They missed so much of the building blocks of maths and phonics in reception and spent year one and two just catching up. I don't understand what difference it makes to your child's health outcomes but could make a massive one to them educationally over the next few years
This breaks my heart. My youngest is Y2 and it is very true. This year group has missed out on so much. I think many underestimate how critical those 1st years at school are. They are never getting that time back.
Original poster
bubblesaway · 04/01/2022 12:48

@MumToBe1980

I am also considering keeping my 5 year old (also in reception) at home for the next couple of weeks, Chris Whitty has predicted that we are close to the peak so hoping by end Jan we will see a decrease. My main concern is not short term impact of covid but long term health implications. We didn't believe the HPV virus caused health issues for many years until the connection between this virus and ovarian cancer was discovered, similarly HIV no immediate issues but long term health affects devasting. I know these are sexuually transmitted but my point is that we have no idea how this virus will affect people in the long term. I have some knowledge of virology however I'm no expert so if someone on here has the knowledge to discredit my view I would be really happy if they could appreciate it! However, I believe everyone must make their own decision based on their own personal circumstances.
Thanks @Mumtobe - that's exactly it really - if we are about to hit peak and then numbers start to go down it is heart breaking to think after all this time we're going to lay ourselves so open to getting it. But, the school hasn't emailed so is clearly going to open and as other posters have said - if they stay open I am just prolonging the decision to send her back - so I am probably going to send her in. I am swaying backwards and forwards though - as a lot of people are. So horrid for us all to be in this position.
OP posts:
mermaidgiraffe · 04/01/2022 12:51

No, if you really think the schools will shut again then that's even more of a reason not to keep her off. It won't be just three weeks then will it?

The fact that some countries don't start formal education until 6 is irrelevant IMO. They then all start on the same level and do things differently to us. It's different to keeping children off school and then expecting them to keep up with next years curriculum. She'll simply miss the learning, not learn it at a later point.

ShinyHappyPoster · 04/01/2022 12:59

There are a lot of Boris supporters on MN currently (which is odd in itself because its not really MN's demographic to worship a man who doesn't even know how many DCs he has; cheated on his cancer-stricken wife; fails to attend important meetings and is completely incompetent). Anyway, keep your DC home if you're worried. They won't miss much. They don't need to be in school.
Our HT is very scathing of the government approach. Because of health issues we have in our family we've had to keep our DC home quite often and the HT and all the SMT have been very supportive. They are at the end of their tether with the government approach to schools and with the parents who are determined to send their DCs in regardless of having Covid at home, etc.

Original poster
bubblesaway · 04/01/2022 13:07

@ShinyHappyPoster - thanks - I think our HT is similar - but as they haven't emailed this time it just feels like we're being left to make the decision ourselves. It was such a relief when they finished school two days early before Christmas last year.

It feels like we're playing Russian roulette. We've been so careful up until now and I am slightly resentful that the government are leaving us to flounder like this.

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 04/01/2022 13:18

@ShinyHappyPoster

There are a lot of Boris supporters on MN currently (which is odd in itself because its not really MN's demographic to worship a man who doesn't even know how many DCs he has; cheated on his cancer-stricken wife; fails to attend important meetings and is completely incompetent). Anyway, keep your DC home if you're worried. They won't miss much. They don't need to be in school. Our HT is very scathing of the government approach. Because of health issues we have in our family we've had to keep our DC home quite often and the HT and all the SMT have been very supportive. They are at the end of their tether with the government approach to schools and with the parents who are determined to send their DCs in regardless of having Covid at home, etc.
More like many who have experienced huge disruption and impact of two terms out or more.

It’s not hard to see why in class time is valued by most when denied to some for long periods.

And the risk is low and Covid won’t be gone so how long do you isolate your dc for?