Feeling incredibly conflicted about what to do about school

[Anonymous]

I have 2 preschool aged kids. Our preschool in has announced that it will not be able to open at all in the fall due to staffing issues (the majority of their teachers are parents with elementary aged children and MCPS seems to be going all virtual in the fall). Their preschool will not offer any virtual program, which is fine because at this age I feel the benefits of virtual learning to be minimal.

I see there are other preschools that are planning to open with in person classes this fall and so we are on the fence about what to do. Should I enroll the oldest kid in a part-time PK-4 program (we'd put it off for our younger child and just keep her home). I know that the benefits of being in a classroom with other kids would be huge, but I also worry about whether or not it's safe and don't want to add to community spread.

I know so many people that have their kids in summer camps or they are back at daycare or they have formed a pod with other families or they have plans for private school or preschool in the fall. I feel bad that my kids continue to be basically under lockdown without any in person play dates. We are a family of extroverts and the affects of social isolation are really wearing on us and them.

I would be open to trying to organize a play group with a couple other families, but most of our closest friends have some sort of special circumstance (kids already back in full-time daycare, someone in family is immunocompromised, or one of the parents works in a high risk for virus contact job).

I feel deeply conflicted on what to do.

[Anonymous]

They will be fine without extra socialization. They have you and each other.

Don't risk this virus. I have a friend who is a professional musician and caught COVID back in March and she's still horribly sick and experiencing rapid heartbeat and diminished breathing (kind of essential when you play a wind instrument). She is 32 years old. Do everything you can to avoid catching it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t do it. They have each other.

[Anonymous]

Skip it. Preschool will close after a month anyway. Don’t torture yourself over this decision.

[Anonymous]

Unless you desperately need the childcare, group settings are simply not worth the risk.

[Anonymous]

Look on your neighborhood listserv for a pod of kids that both kids can enjoy. Or stay home and do distanced play dates. One of my current favorites is kids on separate sides of a window, drawing pictures on the glass and taking on speakerphone.