Open nurseries and/or childminders

Look at nurseries and childminders independantly from schools in making a decision about when to reopen.

Why the contribution is important

Research has showsn that under 4s cannot transmit the virus to others. Additionally, under 4s are the children who demand the most input from parents in terms of childcare. Also, most nurseries and childminders are open during the holidays so a reopening date of August is not relevant to those settings. The Scottish Government argues that Early Years education is crucial to the development of children. However, whilst schools may be providing work for children to do, this is not the case for nurseries. At this age social contact and play with others is key for children and they are all missing out. Nurseries and childminders need to be considered independantly and reopened as soon as possible.

by Isikaya on May 08, 2020 at 10:45AM

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Average rating: 4.5
Based on: 9 votes

Comments

  • Posted by LMC May 08, 2020 at 11:22

    I'm sorry but I completely disagree with this perspective as someone who works within a Nursery first hand! We do provide home learning for the children to participate in during this time and we also give weekly phone calls to all of our parents to see how they are getting on, to provide activity ideas or to identify further supports requires. The majority of parents have been spending time engaging with their children and building their child's social and emotional well-being through bonding. I personally don't think Nursery Establishments should be opening back up any sooner than the Schools!

  • Posted by Lisa1202 May 08, 2020 at 14:38

    Totally agree I am a key worker working from home, it’s impossible with a just turned 2 year old, it is not safe for me to take work calls and supervise young children, yet I am still expected to provide critical service. Private nurseries will never be able to Soical distance young children and many risk going bust

  • Posted by lmp123 May 09, 2020 at 06:15

    I agree this is crucial for the well being of our youngest children. Play and socialisation is crucial to their well-being learning and development. It is also crucial to building their immune systems. Work being sent home does not support play and socialisation with peers, both of which are crucial. The longer we remain in lock down the bigger the negative impact on the future generation and the undoing of all the hard work that has been done to support their well-being and learning. We must also remember that home lives are particularly stressful in the best of family environments at this time and this too can have a detrimental long term effect on young children. We must also think about workers and getting them back to work, nursery staff and childminders thrive on the great work that they do and they cannot work unless they are permitted to care for children. Supporting Nurseries and Childminders back into working supports parents, families, young children and the workers themselves. As part of a team that have been working throughout the pandemic caring for Key Workers children, the team of workers have felt more at risk in the supermarket than in the childcare environment where they are in control of the procedures. Children need hugs and reassurance, they cannot social distance, however the basics of good hygiene practices implemented wherever possible and careful; planning of drop off and collection with the use of technology for sharing information with parents at this time, reduces risk. We will never eliminate risk. But we have to consider the future not just the here and now for our next generation.

  • Posted by GeorgeVickers May 09, 2020 at 12:44

    The science is not yet clear on this, see here for a good summary of some of the debate so for: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/coronavirus-children-adults-pass-symptoms-kids-transmit-schools-a9494286.html
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