Does the benefit of nursery outweigh Covid risk?

[Alison1981]

Hi. I have a 20 month old boy who started nursery just before the pandemic. Our nursery is now open again but I don't know whether to send him back to get all the benefits of socialisation with other children etc or continue to have grandparents looking after him. Appreciate any thoughts.

I think it depends on how you feel about the precautions nursery are taking. I’ve just sent my 19MO DD back, her nursery have been fantastic and have sent full correspondence of what changes they are making, new procedures, increased hygiene etc and I feel happy that they are doing all they can to make it a safe environment. The risk to children is low but also consider if there is anyone in your household that is high risk or shielding as if so you may want to hang off a while longer. Me and DH both low risk so this wasn’t too much of a concern for us.

Personally I think if he is happy enough at home, keep him off. Gradual return to normal rather than everyone in the country rushing out

Maybe ask the grandparents whether they’d like to carry on or would prefer him to go back? If they’re doing you a favour it might be courteous to let them know there’s an alternative if they’d like a break now?

How have grandparents looked after him? Do you love with them? Mine won't even hug Dd.

I'm keeping her out for now but hope her to return August.

Live

IMO yes if my 2yo could return he would (he doesn’t yet have a place for various good reasons). I am concerned about the precautions less because of worries about the virus than that it will be a weird sterile unnatural environment for a toddler, but I do think nurseries are doing their best to apply the guidelines whilst taking children’s needs into account

Don't think there's a right answer, I was happy to send my 1yr old back, but then I'm having to wfh so home environment had become very stressful. I might have kept her at home another month or two though if I had the option of grandparents and they were happy to continue.

I think over 2 they definitely benefit hugely from being there. In your situation I might keep him off but perhaps arrange to meet a little friend in the park? Our 2.5 year old is back and enjoying it, only for half days and in a much smaller group but we're happy that the risk to him is tiny.

Mine are back at nursery despite me not needing them to be. But they are enjoying being back and playing with their friends again. The risk to children is minimal.

My dd went back at the beginning of June.. she is incredibly happy and sleeping better, is excited to see her friends. To the point she gets dressed with no drama and stands at the front door demands to be taken to nursery before it opens.

The hygiene is good (I get a list of when she's washed her hands every day). She has a great time, and judging by the amount of kids back, we are not the only family who thinks there is a benefit. At 2 1/2, developing of social skills has been something we have had to work on and being at nursery has really helped it.

If one of us had been shielding, I might have been less inclined to send her back, but as it is, we aren't at any great risk as a family.

My 2 year old is back. We have extremely small numbers in our region currently, and he loves nursery. So for us the benefits outweigh the risk, and we can actually get things done at home!

You can’t make a blanket assumption that nursery is beneficial, there was a study that came out recently suggesting that nursery is detrimental to under twos for example. It’s not really possible for strangers on the internet to know whether and how much your child benefits from either form of childcare, you really need to decide for yourself whether you think the detriment of not going to nursery/spending time with GPs justifies whatever risks you’d expose him to by sending him back.

I have sent mine back today (20 months). We have already kept him off an extra month. He was quite happy at home until last week, when he suddenly lost interest in his toys and became desperate to be outside all day. We don't live near family so he has only seen me and DH since March, and he'd started wanting to run over to people in the park. I think you know your child best.

Research hasnt shown nursery to be detrimental for the under twos. It has been shown to provide no additional benefit to the under twos, if the child would otherwise have been safe and happy at home with their primary care provider.

After the age of two, it has a population level benefit because there are many children in society who would start to miss out on language development, social development, reading skills etc, because of varying reasons in their home environment. It also has benefits for children with SEN etc. And obviously benefits families that require child care for work purposes, or for their own personal reasons.

OP, it's entirely your choice. Sending him will not be detrimental. Keeping him home will not be detrimental. It's all down to personal preference at this stage.

And even that should say, 'some' research, because research never all says the same thing!

In my opinion a 20 month old getting social skills isn't as important as a reception age child. They won't fall behind, so long as you talk to your child and play with them then they will be fine

A lot depends on what the grandparents are like...do they encourage independence and speech do messy play etc or is it more like looking after a baby or there are the toys get on with it all day.

yes - i have/ would send to nursery

as long as your nursery is taking things seriously and bubbling etc like schools.
i think kids hugely benefit from nursery

yes - i have/ would send to nursery

as long as your nursery is taking things seriously and bubbling etc like schools.
i think kids hugely benefit from nursery

Our nursery recognise that social distancing is impossible with the under 5’s so the children all play together in their room. Toys are still out to play with but they have been thinned down to allow for easier cleaning after each session. Mainly we have been encouraging better hand washing through the day and staff are cleaning more frequently, especially high contact areas like doors, toilets, sinks etc. We have a big outdoor space which helps too.

As for sending them back, we have seen a gradual increase over the month and the children who are back have been so happy to see their friends and the staff. We have about two thirds return. As for if you should, it is a decision only you can make. Chat to your nursery.