I'm on a rota to be in over the Easter 'holidays'

[pfrench]

So it's not school is it, I can't really be doing academic activities with them beyond reading.

How the hell am I going to fill 5 hours with activities that enable children to be socially distanced?

I think we go for film afternoon every afternoon, but other than that?

I'm not a very good childminder.

maybe a dance session in the mornings, to wake everyone up (the 'kidz bop' channel on youtube have dance along videos), then some sort of craft activity (there are loads of ideas here involving things like paper plates or stones or paper), then break time, then maybe some French? there are videos on youtube on things like body parts or colours]], you could play one of the videos and then ask things like 'who can tell me the word for pink?' Because its watching a cartoon video it won't really seem like learning to the dc. you could then do reading quiet time, then lunch, and then a movie? thank you for giving up your time and holiday!

Playing outside as much as possible would be my preference. iPad time, colouring, dancing to music, tennis...

Bingo or Arts and Crafts maybe?

How do you manage the children keeping a distance when they are outside?

Why can't you do any actual learning stuff?

@dootball

I would imagine because children are all of different ages, stages & abilities???

@dootball plus it's the holidays, surely we need to cut everyone some slack?

I’m not working over Easter you have my sympathies Op. Like you said, it’s childminding and in order to keep the safe distance put films on. It is what it is.

Me too but at least ours are secondary and have been told to bring work they have been given but we dont have to provide it during holidays. We also have been placed on a weekend rota

Start the day with Joe Wicks, be outside as much as possible, movie in the afternoon. How old are they?

I've got the same problem and I'm secondary. I want to be able to cut them some slack and let them do what they want (whilst observing social distancing), but the average teenager would then just go on their phones, playing games or on social media, which doesn't bother me at all, but not sure what parents/SLT will think. I'm hoping SLT will agree with me actually, they're fairly easy going.

Full building hide and seek / sardines but have to hide 2m away if you find them. Could last hours if it's a big school 😂

Hide and seek Wouldn't work in my school staff and students can only access about 6 rooms as everywhere else has been deepcleaned and closed off.

If you're on rota, it's the school who should be setting the activities.

As much to the point, what is your union doing about this?

You can't be instructed to attend school outside the designated hours.
There should be a deal here.

In advance, posters please spare me the hand to the pump. This is work and must be accounted for.

This:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_staffroom/3862628-Joint-union-statement

Rounders outside if possible or tennis

Cosmic yoga 🧘‍♂️

We’re both key workers and as soon as our quarantine is over (DS has a cough) the kids will need to go back to school. For my part, I’d say do anything with the kids that makes life easy for you. I’m immensely grateful for the staff that are in schools enabling us to do our jobs. I certainly don’t expect them to be following a curriculum! Our school has been putting Joe Wicks on every morning, on Monday they made their own pizzas for lunch and did a bunch of sports activities, and a bit of their home pack stuff. Tuesday was similar with crafts and a movie. They’ve been happy with that.

What age are the children?

We are an infant school and offering childcare only. Even last week wasn't lessons.

Staff are on a rota. We do have several staff who can't be at school due to self isolating or being vulnerable. Those of us at home are still working and manning the home learning.

All staff whether at school or home are on rota for a two week break - you can choose to have it as two one week blocks or one fortnight block.

We have a rough schedule for those still in school for childcare.

This is our rough timetable - infant school So she's 4-7. Can easily be kept at a distance as there's no where near as many children here as normal. Been encouraging ball games and skipping with a long rope type games.

8:00: breakfast club for those that need it in hall
8:40: read/phonics at table on ipad - Bug Club, Oxford Owls, Phonics Play
8:50: Register: ‘welcome’ game
9:00: PE (body coach) in hall
9:40: Maths games at IWB
10:00: play time
10:40: snack and milk
10:50: Activity pack: prepared packs with own stationary pots, own craft materials, etc. Craft activities, colouring sheets, word searches etc.
12:00: lunch in hall
12:20: lunch time play
13:10: Continue activity pack and choice (ipads or colouring)
13:45: Go noodle or Cosmic yoga
14:15: play time
15:00: Story time
15:20: home time

Thanks folks, some good ideas.

I don't mind being in school whenever really, feels like all hands to the pump to be honest. We're a big staff, everyone has volunteered, and it's a big school building to keep between 5 and 11 kids 'safe' in.

Age is different everyday, but we're a 3 - 11 provision.

Have a look on the guiding and scouting websites. They have some great activities to keep children from young primary upwards occupied on their 'great indoors' page.

Unions have agreed to the times and holiday/weekend working.