Return to work more days - my kids??

[Piixxiiee]

Just been asked to return to work for 2 to 3 days a week as of next week instead of usual 1. Dh works at home conference calls etc and looks after dc the one day I've been in but its tough going no way can he work and look after kids.... dont want to send them to school as it sounds horrible and scary. dh job is the high paying so in some sense has to take priority.

Not sure what to do, new job and dont know head teacher very well ... anyone else in similar position?

I’m going back to my usual working hours next week so my dc will be going back to school. I don’t have another option and school needs me to work.

I really think it will be ok for dc. All kids who have come to keyworker provision have loved it and I have amazing colleagues who will make it feel as ordinary & comfortable as possible.

Yep-lots of our teachers have had to arrange key worker places for their children at their own schools so they can return to teaching.

If you haven’t arranged for yours to have KW places yet, what is your plan? My colleagues did that as soon as BJ announced the schools were reopening.

It won't be horrible and scary, because school staff will, as we speak, be putting plans in place to make it fun, different and a bit of an adventure. It'll be different, yes but be positive with your children and you'll find that they'll get used to it quickly.

Key worker school unless they're in year groups called back in which straight back to class.

I don't see the problem- they can go to their own schools as children of a keyworker.

I’m baffled why you’ve left it to the last day of half term, when we were told schools would be opening June 1st, three weeks ago, to wonder what you’re going to do when you go back to work?

Will your new head teacher be wondering the same?

In fairness to op in our area we were sent a form making it clear that having a strong objection to sending your children to their keyworker school was a valid reason for staying off through June and July. Sounds like you were hoping this would be the case where you are too op? My HT also said that she would permit teacher's children to come in with them if they felt safer with that option, is that something you could ask for?

But about your child's own school, trust me it won't be horrible and scary. There's been a lot of strongly worded descriptions of what it will be like, the main purpose of these is to keep numbers manageably low in the first instance and to manage expectations of what re opening will look like. Children will still play, laugh, learn things, chat to friends and have fun.

@Piixxiiee I don't think you have an option really unless you ask for unpaid leave?

If you are needed back at work and key worker provision is available for your children there is an expectation you use this. If you are choosing to keep them off, your OH will have to look after them or you can ask for unpaid leave to be considered?

My children are in the years called back but that would mean 1 gets 1 hour a day and other gets 2.5 hrs. So they'll gave to go as key worker kids. We have a place and their school checks every week whether we need it. We wanted to keep them home as it doesnt sound a great environment. I was told I would be doing 1 day in school and the rest courses, assessments etc working from home. This has literally just changed when I made this post.

So reality is they will be in 2 or 3 days a weeks as of next week even though we dont want them in.

It's naughty that the goalposts have been changed but I think you need to be positive with your children about the key worker provision. Teachers cannot stay at home on full pay forever doing non teaching or virtual stuff.
I'm a teacher btw.

I was reading on a leaders FB Group this morning that you can request to stay at home in situations like this, but it would be unpaid. We are all back to our normal full time hours as of Monday.

At my school the key worker children have been told to come in full time as of Monday even if their parents don’t need full time childcare. We are doing childcare with them 8-9 and 3:30-6 but the rest of the day we are doing proper lessons with them in their key worker group. These children will be getting an advantage over the yr 2 - 5 children learning at home. Are other schools doing this too?

I don’t think they can just expect you to work more days if it’s not in your contract. Yes, you might need to access key worker provision if your DH can’t look after them, but they can’t vary the terms of your contract like that.

If I was you I’d be saying sorry, one day is all I can manage.

Unless I’ve misunderstood and pre covid you worked ft and have only been doing one day since lockdown?

If one day is your usual contract then you are perfectly entitled to turn down extra hours if you don’t want them/can’t make it work for your family.

I get paid for three days (0.6) so have booked kids into three days of school. I haven’t booked them into the two other days as I don’t get paid for them! I do have a colleague who, like you, is not at all comfortable sending her own children to school but they are secondary age, so she’s leaving them at home.
One way or another, you need some form of childcare for the days you are contracted to work. Know any really responsible Y11s or Yr13s looking to make cash??

@CarrieBlue

If one day is your usual contract then you are perfectly entitled to turn down extra hours if you don’t want them/can’t make it work for your family.

Oh, sorry! I assumed you worked full time but had only been doing one day since lockdown.

If you only work one day a week, this is madness and they can’t do this at all. They can’t expect you to be in 2/3 days if you are only paid for 1.

Email your union now.

I'm confused about what your actual contract is

It seems mad that your children would get 1 hour a day in school if they didn't go in as key worker children? Hardly worth the effort!

Logistical nightmare.
My children not in Y1, 6 or r but still too young to leave all day.
My childminder not taking wrap around care kids as can't mix bubbles and their school not providing any wrap around.
I've asked for more notice do husband could possibly take holidays but this is not possible next two weeks.
What have others done.