Anyone know about nurseries

[babysnowman]

Has anyone heard anything about when regular nurseries might reopen for non key workers?

I know the schools are on 11 August, wondering if nurseries will be around the same time.

This is encouraging.

I don't think I saw a date (or phase) for opening though?

Nothing surprising in there. I just want to know WHEN!

Yes, encouraging info on there about not trying to stop kids from socially distancing and still allowing staff to cuddle them if they need comfort. Good amount on focus on using outdoor space too. Our nursery does weekly "nature schools" for the older kids where they go for a long walk in nearby woodlands that I can see them expanding to more than one day and potentially smaller groups.

I didn't see a date or phase yet either. Really hoping it's before August!

Phase 3, however potentially that could be as early as 9th July I think.

Phase 3, however potentially that could be as early as 9th July I think.

Please please please make it so!

I really hope so too. I don't think most children will get the hours they had before though. Suppose it depends on the space available to the nursery to use.

If priority for spaces is to be given to ages 3 and 4 though does that mean that under 3s may not be back until phase 4?

Potentially. I think it depends on your setting, number of children etc.

We have 2 nurseries here; 1 is 0-3 and 1 is 3-5 so that wouldn't be an issue here.

It's nuts that they're not giving a date yet. Do they not understand that people are lying awake at night worrying about childcare? I'm far more worried about who's going to take care of my children so I can work than I ever was about Coronavirus.

@SamSeabornforPresident Agreed

I think they have to prioritise 600 hours for 3 and 4 year olds, but not beyond that? So I might get 2 full (7.30 - 6pm) days for my 3yo as a priority, but not the extra day he would have usually had. That's how I read it, anyway?

Yes, I think vulnerable children first, then early years entitlement then key workers.

Phase 3 and no date, my employer is going to love this. Looks like I’ll need to take parental leave. I believe they can’t deny me that. However unpaid leave plus my DH on 20% salary reduction for the foreseeable is going to hit us I think.

Also concerned that it’s going to be 3yo and above and not younger. In fact it’s the younger one I need looked after the most as it’s completely impossible to do any work with a 10mth baby.

If that’s the case then even parental leave won’t cover it and I am going to be out of a job.

It’s long! Has anyone found anything useful in it? I can see that the group maximum is 8, with no contact between groups, but haven’t spotted anything on dates in my skim-read.

According to the DC's nursery, they won't have a date till July 9th.

Just read it in full. Agree there are some encouraging elements in respect of staff not wearing PPE and being able to touch children to console them etc

But nothing direct about dates and lots left up to councils and then nurseries dependent on their ability to adhere to rules.

Why would babies not go back until October? I have a baby and a 4 year old so differing return dates for them would mean being unable to work

Same @PrincessForADay

Surely babies are easier to keep apart than toddlers.

Why would babies not go back until October

I guess if they have to prioritise 3 and 4 year olds in Phase 3 then babies may not be til Phase 4 which could be October? Just a guess though. I have a one year old and will really struggle with that 🙁

@babysnowman maybe that's why. It's all so stressful for parents/Carers/teachers & EY providers

Hopefully there will be clarity soon

I've had an email from our private nursery (Busy Bees) saying it will be august before they are open

I emailed my boss this morning explaining it’s phase 3 and no dates and no idea what days I will get or if the baby has a place (obviously a longer email in a more professional tone)

Got a curt “thanks for that” back and I know she’ll be in a right huff about this.

I can’t go back until childcare is available.

I really, really want to go back!!

But this is out of my hands.

I feel this will reflect badly on me longer term in terms of decisions about my role and promotions etc.

@TheMurk I really don't think it will affect your future prospects. People will be curt now because they are stressed themselves for one reason or another, but once this is all behind us I think everyone will appreciate that we all had different circumstances to juggle. It's not like you can leave your kid and just go to work!

@babysnowman I think that’s a naive viewpoint.

It goes back to the good old days when reliable men were the top choice for an employer because they weren’t going to get pregnant, take mat leave, then have to prioritise childcare for the next 18 years of their career.

Whether overtly or not, many businesses will now be seeing childbearing age women as a massive liability.

I don't think it's a naive viewpoint, the only reason I said it was because I work in HR for a large company and I hear the conversations that people are having. I have friends that do the same role in other companies and their views are the same. That's not to say every company will be understanding! But I don't think it's a given that we will be negatively affected in the long run.

We got an email from our nursery today saying that they're hoping to resume on week commencing 13th July which is when we may move to Phase 3. No guarantee on whether we'll get all the days we want, especially as priority is for kids of Key Workers, Vulnerable Kids, and those with receiving funding. 🤞