I'm a SAHM and my initial thinking was that of the first PP. But I decided to go through with it because I felt I was projecting my anxieties on her. I do think it will be difficult at first for most of the kids. But kids adapt so well, especially in a group setting. Plus, in this age group the mask wearing (of the kids) is going to be left mostly up to teacher's discretion since young children don't have an official mandate to wear them. The materials at school, the outdoor classroom that will be set up, the ability to be with peers, the learning that happens when given that independence..are all good things. I have older kids that will be attending partially and a spouse in healthcare- I don't feel my preschooler going half days will change our risk much. Plus if my big kids end up needing to do DL, I will be able to help them to a greater degree than I can when I have a 3 year old home. |
Not money, purely safety. Paying for a nanny now, and it's more expensive... |
It’s all about safety for me. We have set up a mini school with an ES teacher and five K and first graders. Virtual learning was a disaster for my now first grader and this mini school will hopefully keep him on track. |
I do not believe you. Sorry. I have kids the same ages and I would MUCH PREFER to have SAFE child care options right now. But I don't. I am teleworking while watching them and it sucks. And I don't want to be in this situation. Yes, my child care costs are much lower (I was paying $2k a month pre-covid) but I'd MUCH prefer having safe options for my children. Being stuck at home all together in endlessly stressful. So don't take your "one coworker" who is not being managed properly and her opinions and assume all working parents feel like that. I am being torn apart about whether or not it's safe to send my 4 year old to preschool, while also trying to balance a full time job. |
We have been paying to keep our spot since March and still have our 2 year old at home. Pediatrician says don't take him back unless we absolutely have to, and for now we are able to juggle work so don't want to risk it. |
OP here. I call it daycare/preschool because it’s such a controversy on this board. My kids attend a preschool and they also provide infant care. There is before care and aftercare and before covid 19, they are there from 9-6. We pay for aftercare. In any case, I was just curious if money is a motivating factor. It sounds like it’s not.
I do feel guilty about sending them this fall but I am required to go back to office twice a week. |
We sent our 3.5 year old back to daycare at the beginning of June. The kids are fine. The changes made because of Covid haven't given them anxiety, it's just the way school is doing things right now, much like routines and classroom policies changed when she switched between rooms. We do drop off at the door, there's a temperature and health check, etc. In the classroom they are keeping the kids more spaced apart by having them spread out each with a different bin of toys that they've selected for various free times. They are learning that it might not be their turn today with their current favorite set of toys. They go to the playground and run around. They wash hands a lot. They talk to each other, and have circle time--slightly more spread out. She thinks masks are cool because all the grown ups are wearing them. |
Disagree. My almost 4 year old is a breeze. My best friend's 10 month old is a breeze. Because we have kids at home, work lets us stagger our schedules and I can work later at night too. Work would give no flexibility if daycares were open. My 2 year old is hard as hell. But we're saving $700 a week. |
For those of you talking about saving money, are you not having to continue payments to hold your spot, or have you completely withdrawn from daycare, assuming that you will have no trouble enrolling when necessary?
After 4 months at home with us, our children are back at daycare part-time, because we need the childcare to cover shifting demands with work. But we had to pay to hold those spots. I didn't want to just roll the dice and assume I could find a quality daycare with availability for both a newborn and an infant when the time came. |
PP here...infant and preschooler, that is. Sorry, I'm sleep deprived today!!! |
Easy children, combined with flexible schedules from your employer, OF COURSE you're fine. But you are the unicorn situation. My point is that the vast majority of working parents would prefer to have options for SAFE child care. And we don't have any options. The only way this gets even harder for people like this, is when people on the outside start saying we are ENJOYING IT because we are saving money. No. That's a small benefit. But I'd rather have safe child care options and not be worried about losing my job, which brings in more money than childcare costs. |
Can I ask you why you’re so against calling it daycare for your kids? You say it’s a preschool that is open all day and also cares for infants. That’s a daycare. And there is nothing wrong with that. I’m not offended by calling that a daycare. Why are you? |
OP here. How am I "so against calling it a day"? Because my school is a preschool. Geez. It's part of their name!! They offer kindergarten now too. I am not offended if you want to call it daycare. I call it daycare/preschool because I think it's a preschool but someone like you likes to call it daycare. WHO CARES? that's not the point of my thread but this thread now has turned into one of those preschool vs daycare threads. |
It's not about the money, it's about me not wanting my family members dying. The kids have playtime with their grandparents almost every day. No way I would risk their health. |
It’s 100% health. My mom has offered to pay for everything if only we would pretty-please send Larlo to preschool. He’s still staying home. I am pretty upset, but COVID looks miserable. |