Nursery restrictions

[HalloHello]

My daughter goes to Nursery, uses her funded 30 hours. She's 3.5 so in her 1st year of Nursery not preschool year. Before Christmas hols, there was talk of reducing the kids hours to reduce the amount of kids in the sessions, critical childcare taking priority of course (doesn't apply to my daughter)

Does anyone know of anything been confirmed for this yet? I have a newborn and really rely on Nursery to keep my daughter entertained and she is so so happy there. Are we expecting an announcement this week from FM? Anyone got any insider knowledge? I was really hoping they were trying to avoid this now.b

I work in nursery and we've heard nothing about any reduction in hours. We're full and it would be challenging to change our settings times and sessions.

Yeah I thought that. The last I heard before Christmas was that they had been recommended to 'reduce contact between children and staff' which they said would mean reducing hours, changing back to morning and afternoon sessions. It's so unfair for the kids to miss out. Although do also understand the need to protect staff.

This is the email we have from Nursery

Is this a private nursery?

@HalloHello

This is the email we have from Nursery

We don't have half term in Scotland though? Where are you?

We don't have half term in Scotland though? Where are you?

I bloody hope we do - already got plans for our February week 😬

Are you off a full week? I've only ever heard it referred to as the February break or February long weekend in Scotland.

Yes a full week, sometimes the previous Friday too although not recently. Calling it half term
Is fairly new I think. Adopted from England I assume

We don't have half term in Scotland though? Where are you?

Some places do e.g. Edinburgh is off for a full week.

Ok, yes I've only heard it being referred to it as February half term in England so thought the OP might have posted in the wrong place.

@HalloHello

This is the email we have from Nursery

I am assuming this is a private nursery that is making up their own guidance cause there is nothing out from Scottish Government along these lines.

@MajorCarolDanvers that's what I thought. However why would a private nursery use schools terms as a reference? . Very odd

Sounds grim @HalloHello - asking parents to keep their kids off, that's a bit unexpected and unprofessional. Have you called them to find out if your hours are affected?

@HalloHello having a newborn means your do really need the childcare 100% - don't be told that childcare is only needed if you are working.

[quote liveforsummer]@MajorCarolDanvers that's what I thought. However why would a private nursery use schools terms as a reference? . Very odd [/quote]
Yes, nurseries don't normally refer to 'classes'. Bizarre.

Nope not heard any of these things or LFT the children.

My head teacher has a meeting tomorrow.

Yes I work in a school with a nursery attached and one dc at primary and another at secondary. Never heard of any request or requirement to lft test anyone below secondary age

This sounds like they've just made it up. Why would they need to reduce their numbers to comply with guidance?

Sorry I haven't been back!

We are in Moray. Our February half term break is 10th-13th of Feb.

It's not attached to a school this nursery, but does school hours normally 830-1530, no wrap around care or anything. Does that mean it's private? It's a group of nurseries under one name.

It does seem like they've made it up although I googled and there is a bit in the government early years COVID guidance that says the head teachers or managers can use their discretion on how to implement the advice in their settings. I just don't know when this will end if they are going to cap class sizes.

We didn't keep my daughter off nursery the last week of term either even when they asked us. The guidance around LFTs is vague, do we need to have mixed with 3 families at the same time or 3 famillies over the course of a few days/a week? Very confusing. They do say LFTs are up to parents though and never ask for results or even if you have done them. It's just advice.

I haven't spoken to them yet as they're closed for Christmas holidays but will be asking questions when they do get in touch.

If your daughter is 3.5 now surely she starts school in September? 🤔 or have I read that wrong?

She's 4 in April so won't start school until she's 5.5. Cut off different in Scotland!

It is a privately owned nursery. I'm confused now though as it's government funded hours and they get the same school meals as the primary school in the town and are council regulated?

This is the Scottish government covid guidance for early years etc Maybe they are misinterpreting them??

Sounds like they've sent this out to cover themselves.. Just in case... We gave enough notice.

Enough notice for what?