Back to nursery and returning to normal

[Pegaroo]

So my little folk could go back to nursery. They attend 2 days a week and will be able to do this through the summer until school starts in September. There are only 8 children in the class.

We are in a happy little pattern of home school which I would willingly continue. But, I worry that my children won’t be prepared to start school and I know they would love to see their friends. I know I can’t keep them wrapped in cotton wool.

Covid R rate is under 1 where I live and stable......I’m thinking nursery, but I need a push.

Thoughts?

We are sending ours back in July when they open back up again. She goes 2 days a week. She is 1yo soon and we are both WFH.

We are of the mind that any small risk is massively outweighed by the benefits of socialisation and our sanity.

I sent my 3 year old back this week. He goes 3 days (basically gets the free 16 hours a week). He’s loved every minute of it. He’s got to play with other kids for the first time in months. He’s also been shattered, I can’t imagine just sending him straight back to school without a run up. He’s at home today so we are still doing the same sort of things on his days off So little bit of number/alphabet games, then we will go for a walk etc, but he’s already been massively less wingey compared to what he’s been the past few weeks.

I think if we didn’t send him he would struggle to adjust to school, (he starts in September). He doesn’t have any underlying health issues nor do me and dp, so the risk for our household is very minimal. Our setting have made loads of adjustments and changes and spend as much time as possible outside, some toys they can’t play with (basically everything needs to be wipeable) so no playdoh, sand etc. Chat to your setting and see what changes they have made. I did see a few people on here mention things like settings saying they won’t be picking the kids up or giving them hugs, if that was the case I wouldn’t send him, but ours is being sensible whilst still trying to keep things as normal as possible.

Dd has been back at nursery for 3 weeks now and the change in her has been so worth it. She was giddy with excitement and counts the sleeps till it’s nursery day.

She’s in a social bubble of 8 kids, and we’ve had absolutely no symptoms of covid at all, and no instances of it at nursery. Fingers crossed it stays this way.

The benefits far outweighs the small risk for us. It’s been great for us both.

Mine went back to nursery 3 days a week the first week of June. I'd send him more than that if I could (but that's all they could manage). He's 2 and in no way preparing for school. I work professionally in infectious diseases and public health, so this is my area of specialty and I have no concerns at all. If you are home anyway and want to enjoy this time, fine, make the most of it. He doesn't 'need' it to be ready for school. But if you need a break or to work, then absolutely I would send him. Mine has loved being back.

DS went back on Monday and he is so much happier for it. He is also starting school in September and I feel like he needed to get back into routine.

Like a pp our nursery are being sensible but not distancing the kids or anything like that. Small groups good hygiene and cleanable toys. All v positive. Nobody poorly