Childcare - covid

[Tinybathroomideas]

Very lucky to have a family member look after our young child 3 days per week while I work. The family member comes to our house to do this.

Family member lives in a house with 3 others (X,Y & Z). X tested positive on Sat morning and still feels horrendous, Y tested positive Sunday night and I’ve just had a message to say Z is positive this morning. So far family member is negative and has no symptoms.

What would you do in this situation? It doesn’t feel right still having family member come to our house to look after child. What are the chances of them staying negative in a house with 3 others that have it?

Very unlikely I’d say, it spreads so easily. We just had it and all got it one after another. I’d be making alternative plans.

That’s my thinking. She’s due to watch our child Wed, Thur, Fri this week. Absolutely no alternative childcare (we’re on waiting list for nursery and childminders in our area!) so just means me having to call in sick to work.

I don't know about your work but as a general rule you're not allowed to call in sick for childcare issues. At my work we can choose between annual leave or unpaid leave.

You can't call in sick to work for childcare in most places. But yes you're right you'll have to not work or find alternative childcare. It absolutely sucks I know x

They might let you use leave or dependants leave

@Jules912 @Hotinnit Yeah I just meant call in to work - I’m not sure why I wrote sick 🤣 Definitely can’t use annual leave - my leave is capped at various points through the year (eg, only allowed 2 weeks during summer season which counts as April-end Sept) and I’ve used my summer allowance to whole family member was away on holiday as we’re still on waiting lists for other childcare.
Will just need to go as unpaid leave