Key Workers

[ck1]

My neighbours are both working from home - one always works from home and the other works for the police (not front line) but as such has been able to get his daughter (year 1) into school. Is it just me, or is it really weird to want to get the child out of the house and into an environment that is potentially very unsafe just to have an empty house?

[sherrardk]

Some people will do anything other than look after their children.

[ummmm]

Do they not have gardens?

[pixie374]

I did say this to one of my friends who was "celebrating" getting a place for her daughter. She works nights, husband is home. It seems an unnecessary risk. Her daughter is 10, so not a baby either.

[Ken4155]

If both are meant to be working while at home, who would school the child while the schools are closed? I don't personally see anything wrong with their sending their child to school as normal. At least her education won't suffer.

[ck1]

Yes, they have a garden, not football field size but definitely adequate - the house is a decent sized 4 bedroom place too so it's not like they're short on space.

[ck1]

Ken4155, doesn't that apply to everybody who is working at home at the moment? The wife is self-employed so has much more flexibility and I think educating a 6 year old is a lot easier with activities, books, finding stuff in the garden, art and so on. My 2 teenagers are doing GCSE work so need a lot more support.

[sherrardk]

Ken, at this point everyone’s health is far more important than a 10 year old’s education. She could stay home and chill, safe away from other kids, to minimise the spread of the virus. Not much point in social distancing if half arsed parents can’t be bothered to sort their child care out.

[douglas9401]

Getting shot of the kids: the new envy of choice.
Please fold arms, puff out chest and purse lips.

[pomona]

Ken ... they won't be doing actual lessons in school ...just being babysat and playing boardgames.....too big an age range for them to be individually learning anything...

[Zacs-Master]

They shouldn’t have been given a place if they’re both working from home. I understand different schools are working in different ways. It’s meant to be for those who have to work, not those who are staying home. Jesus.

[diddlydo]

Pomona - exactly right. There won't be formal and appropriate normal lessons for these children in school. It's merely a child-minding exercise.

[vulcan42]

The children will not lose a great deal of education, they would normally be off for Easter and the long summer holiday.

[THECORBYLOON]

The advice says-

"Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Please, therefore, follow these key principles:

If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.

If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision:"

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

It is clear that even those in key employment are expected to keep pupils home if able to follow so.

[THECORBYLOON]

..if able to do so.

[diddlydo]

My son and DIL are now both working from home. They have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old whose nursery is now closed. They wouldn't dream of trying to wangle a place at nursery for their children, even though it makes their working a juggling act. We can't step in as we're both in the old and vulnerable category.