Mouseketeer Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 19 minutes ago, zigzag said: I saw him on Andrew Marr this morning, still insisting schools are safe and saying that schools and nurseries are open so that NHS staff can work. Has he even seen the key worker list? I don’t think he has, he speaks as if he thinks it’s only for the NHS staff to go to work, I full support staying open for genuine key workers chn but this is just crazy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finleysmaid Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 the info from the government is clear "parents and carers SHOULD keep their children at home if they can." 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 15, 2021 Author Share Posted January 15, 2021 Just dropping in to say - it's Friday! Hope everyone is coping as well as possible 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panders Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 Hi Sunnyday, hope you and Mr S ok, - boredom is settling in, but hey I'll not complain. Youngest granddaughter took her first unaided steps a couple of days ago - that was uplifting 😍 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louby loo Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 1 hour ago, Panders said: Youngest granddaughter took her first unaided steps a couple of days ago - that was uplifting 😍 Mine did too the other week 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froglet Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 No grandchildren but one of the children in my class asked to go to the toilet for the first time ever in school this week! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 One of my great nieces took her first steps today as well! I don’t know where the time has gone. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panders Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 😃 six year old granddaughter has just lost her first tooth - big drama apparently! 🙄 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 15, 2021 Author Share Posted January 15, 2021 1 hour ago, Panders said: 😃 six year old granddaughter has just lost her first tooth - big drama apparently! 🙄 Oooh - tooth fairy visit tonight then! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panders Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 Yes, and following Covid precautions😆 Once this little one finds out how much the tooth fairy offers she'll probably start wiggling plenty more, she's a pickle 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froglet Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Well, I’ve done laundry, 2 weeks of menu planning, a supermarket trip, lunch and dishes. I was going to work the rest of the day (the TDL is beyond epic) but am very tempted to cut my losses for today and resign myself to a busy day tomorrow. I’ll have to log on anyway to upload my remote learning so it wouldn’t exactly be a school free day. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 16, 2021 Author Share Posted January 16, 2021 We had a lovely surprise this morning, it was snowing and there was about an inch or so on the ground...…..just before 8am there was a knocking on one of our front windows, it was eldest grandson with the two little ones they had walked down from their house to ours (very short distance) lovely to see them even if it was through glass! DIL sent some great videos and photos too - they had even managed to build a snowman 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louby loo Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Had to get up early here to see the snow It was heavy snow at 8am- I laid in bed drinking coffee and planning a nice snowy walk...... by 8.20 it had turned to heavy rain 😬 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) I have a real dilemma - Kent have dropped a bit of a bombshell today and I literally have no idea what to do Mr S said 'talk it over with your forum friends' so I will My position is that I am closed - I just cannot and will not put the children, parents and group's adults at risk of infection - I can't believe that we (EY) are so undervalued and that we have been put in this position. I know that if I opened I would get probably 3 children in, parents fully support my stance and most were keen to tell me that they wouldn't send their children in even if I was open LA have now said 'open now and claim usual funding, if you don't we won't fund for after half-term', further to that there is apparently no guarantee that they will fund after Easter because the 'census' will not provide for that My choices are: a. open now - hmm nope that is not happening b. pray that schools don't reopen after half-term (I have told my parents that I will open in line with schools) and keep quiet about all of this c. write to my parents and explain that I won't now be able to open after half-term and give them the option to 'go elsewhere' d. decide that it is now time to 'throw the towel in' and close completely Edited January 21, 2021 by sunnyday 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panders Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 my first thoughts were - shame Kent pulled out of the Forum - you could have had access to many other Kent groups - we know from the past that Kent groups are strong when they can work together. I think the LA are supporting Govt. and not really acting independently in thought - there is a huge groundswell that schools will not go back until after Easter break - very sensible and have a 2 week notice period for re-opening. I don't think I would throw the towel in yet, I would be inclined to call their bluff - and gamble on schools not returning. I would explain to parents that the funding may not be forthcoming and they need to be prepared to pay for at least one term, the summer term I have the feeling you have already subsidised a lot of this pandemic for your group, this ultimatum from Kent is very unfair and puts you on the brink of the group folding, when for a term or two more they could support groups who really need to be supported to continue when we come out of this. Kent are bullies Sunnyday. That's my twopennyworth! Whatever you decide to do, I am sure you will make the decision unique to your circumstances and it will be the right one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 Thank you Panders I can't really believe they are taking this stance - I have no expectation of funding for this half-term, fully accept that this was my decision to close, I don't regret that decision I know it was the right thing to do. Every piece of info sent out so far had indicated that I would just need to enter all children as 'late joiners' and could gain their funding for Spring 4 To have that taken away and to threaten me with the notion that they might not fund from April has left me completely gobsmacked Seriously thinking do I need this cr*p in my life 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louby loo Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 1 hour ago, sunnyday said: Seriously thinking do I need this cr*p in my life That just about sums up my feelings at the moment too. I've just had my Oftsed renewal in the post today - and I'm actually thinking 'why the h*ll am I doing this?' Not sure what to advise really. I pray each day that settings will be told to close, but each day that gets further from happening. We opened and I would have far rather we didn't. I'm fully supportive that some settings - Full day-care - can, and should open, but only if they can safely. Term-time preschools not really Settings should be open for parent that work, and for when they are actually at work only! We had very limited numbers to start- but this week they have started creeping up, 2 more but then word gets out etc. .... I'm really not happy about it. At the moment we can open safely with 6/7 children. I wonder what happens if you close after census/headcount day I wonder? I'm actually thinking of getting my local district council involved and asking them to do a civid-secure compliance check on us. As I've said before, we are currently open for babysitting purposes only. Not really any 'education' as such happening. At the moment staff feel reasonably safe and that and that only is my top priority at the moment. The children are kept safe from harm. But that's as far as our service goes at the moment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 Thanks louby - it is a rubbish situation all round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louby loo Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 3 minutes ago, sunnyday said: Thanks louby - it is a rubbish situation all round Sure is. I have never felt so undervalued in my life. Even my MP never bothered replying. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 52 minutes ago, louby loo said: Sure is. I have never felt so undervalued in my life. Even my MP never bothered replying. Oh yes, no reply from my MP either, other than is auto response Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 It’s a truly awful situation you find yourself in ladies. Could your staff maybe open for a couple of days with those three children and then close again? Would that even be possible? I’m trying to find a way round the system, but I’m not sure there is one. Would Boris put his baby in open daycare at the moment? I think not Its actually scandalous the way that different counties are handling this - it’s not their money after all - if they don’t pay you, where does it go? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louby loo Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 7 minutes ago, Cait said: Could your staff maybe open for a couple of days with those three children and then close again? Would that even be possible? That would be my way of thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 18 minutes ago, Cait said: It’s a truly awful situation you find yourself in ladies. Could your staff maybe open for a couple of days with those three children and then close again? Would that even be possible? I’m trying to find a way round the system, but I’m not sure there is one. Would Boris put his baby in open daycare at the moment? I think not Its actually scandalous the way that different counties are handling this - it’s not their money after all - if they don’t pay you, where does it go? Thanks Cait, that is an idea worthy of consideration, but it would feel morally wrong to do that to parents and children......perhaps I worry too much about 'morals' All I know right now is that I have an awful headache that nothing will shift Really appreciate you taking the time to respond x 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 Oh goodness sunnyday what an awful dilemma and how truly disgusting that you are being told this by your LA. How can they legally refuse to fund you from April when actually none of us know what the situation may be by then and we are all hopeful that we may be able to get back to some kind of normal opening. Would it be any good contacting the EYA about this? I think if I was in your position and in current circumstances I would be tempted to throw in the towel, but that is just my personal opinion. I was very against opening and luckily managed to deter a lot of my parents as they did not like the thought of outdoor only sessions. So currently we have just got two children attending one day a week but at least doing this means we will get our funding for all children for this half term. We have told parents that our opening hours and days will be under review on a two weekly basis as numbers increase or decrease. I feel increasingly sad each day as the early years workforce is being completely overlooked and ignored and do wonder if, when this is all over what morale will be like. 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 1 hour ago, sunnyday said: All I know right now is that I have an awful headache that nothing will shift Oh no! I do hope that eases soon. Maybe Mr S can be persuaded to give you a nice neck massage to get rid of done tension. I assume you’ve had a team meeting with the others. Did they have any ideas? this is where a union would be really useful. Might Morton Mitchell legal team have any ideas? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louby loo Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 1 hour ago, sunnyday said: Thanks Cait, that is an idea worthy of consideration, but it would feel morally wrong to do that to parents and children......perhaps I worry too much about 'morals' Did anyone actually say that the parents needed to know you were open? Our LA are funding setting that are 'open' regardless of who chooses to attend..... just forget to mention to parents that you're open? Then quietly close again due to lake of interest. The headache is a killer, nothing seems to shift it. We had a vitual LA meeting, we were asked our coping strategies, I said wine - they seemed to think I was joking I have NEVER been a drinker.... just lately I am 'needing' a glass or two of wine every night 😢😢 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 1 hour ago, zigzag said: Oh goodness sunnyday what an awful dilemma and how truly disgusting that you are being told this by your LA. How can they legally refuse to fund you from April when actually none of us know what the situation may be by then and we are all hopeful that we may be able to get back to some kind of normal opening. Would it be any good contacting the EYA about this? I think if I was in your position and in current circumstances I would be tempted to throw in the towel, but that is just my personal opinion. I was very against opening and luckily managed to deter a lot of my parents as they did not like the thought of outdoor only sessions. So currently we have just got two children attending one day a week but at least doing this means we will get our funding for all children for this half term. We have told parents that our opening hours and days will be under review on a two weekly basis as numbers increase or decrease. I feel increasingly sad each day as the early years workforce is being completely overlooked and ignored and do wonder if, when this is all over what morale will be like. 5 minutes ago, Cait said: Oh no! I do hope that eases soon. Maybe Mr S can be persuaded to give you a nice neck massage to get rid of done tension. I assume you’ve had a team meeting with the others. Did they have any ideas? this is where a union would be really useful. Might Morton Mitchell legal team have any ideas? Thanks both xxx This is a truly wonderful place - so lovely to be able to share with people who understand Have emailed staff and have had a phone conversation with one - she is always hugely supportive Have also had a long conversation with eldest son - poor devil only rang to ask me to add a box of satsumas to my online shop for him! His no nonsense approach actually made me laugh and eased the headache a bit.....his take on the matter is that they are utter ******** and that I should tell them where to shove their funding and their threats! I will 'sleep on it' - but really feel that I must be completely 'up front' with parents 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouseketeer Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 10 minutes ago, sunnyday said: will 'sleep on it' - but really feel that I must be completely 'up front' with parents Sorry to read what you’re having to deal with, I think I’d be rallying parents to support you in a non-opening, could you explain the situation, say you are opening theoretically to ensure they have sessions to come back to when it’s safer but ask them to say they don’t want to come yet? I still think you were brave to stay closed (braver than me) and now tonight all I’m seeing is how 0-4yr age group are the only age group still rising and that early years educators have the highest positive cases 😟 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 10 minutes ago, Mouseketeer said: Sorry to read what you’re having to deal with, I think I’d be rallying parents to support you in a non-opening, could you explain the situation, say you are opening theoretically to ensure they have sessions to come back to when it’s safer but ask them to say they don’t want to come yet? I still think you were brave to stay closed (braver than me) and now tonight all I’m seeing is how 0-4yr age group are the only age group still rising and that early years educators have the highest positive cases 😟 Thanks mousie x Where did you read that info? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louby loo Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 17 minutes ago, Mouseketeer said: now tonight all I’m seeing is how 0-4yr age group are the only age group still rising and that early years educators have the highest positive cases 😟 Do you have a link at all please ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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