Informal childcare - now it’s ok

My sister-in-law says that she, as a grandparent, is now banned by the school from picking her grandchildren up.

Is this legal?

Young peope “having to put up with restrictions’ ??? well that says it all.

You only have to look around at the school gate to see how many grandparents look after their grandchildren. I continued to do so all through lockdown as my daughter is a single parent and a nurse. Just a case of using common sense which is what the government have been urging us to do from the beginning of this pandemic.

At present, as I write, we can still meet up to six people, so picking up from school is still allowed outside areas with extra rules. The guidance already allowed for the fact that you might not be able to maintain social distance with very young children (or the elderly, in fact). This could all change later today. Within the rules, it is up to each of us to assess our risk, so some may feel having contact with school children is too great a risk and others may accept that risk.

If we are to have a lock down again surely it would be best over the Xmas period. Children on school holidays so no lost education. Many people take extended leave over Xmas and the New Year so no loss of wages for many of those. Plus it would be half way through the winter months.

I’m a bit muddled here- is it only in areas with extra lockdown that childminding is allowed? That is, areas with the highest infection rate? But not allowed elsewhere? That all makes so much sense( not).

Well said Teacheranne. I'm feeling pretty grumpy about some of the posts I read too.

MaizieD

It's causing a lot of annoyance to younger people on my twitter timeline. They are asking why they are having to put up with restrictions, and instructed 'not to give it to your granny', when the more vulnerable, i.e elderly grandparents are allowed to care for children who potentially have maximum exposure to the virus and can pass it straight to them.

Surely Matt Hancox was only referring to cases where grandparents are already caring for their grandchildren when their parents are at work. I don't think he is suggesting that all grandparents should start spending time with their grandchildren ( and with the rest of their extended families)

Yet BJ is expected to announce that people are expected to work from home again if they can - so fewer parents will be needing childcare.

I can see lots of families interpreting these rules in their own way which won't help reduce the spike in cases.

But the rule in the strict local restrictions means no visitors at home at all so unless looking after grandchildren while parents are at work people really should not be so selfish as to think this rule includes social visits for Sunday lunch..

Or shall we all just ignore the rise in cases and then complain when the death rate rises - I bet they won't blame themselves!

Sorry to sound so grumpy but I'm fed up reading posts on various forums and FB of people intending to interpret the rules to suit themselves. It's going to be a long, lonely winter for some of us..

Good point Callistemon - I expect many will 'interpret' the rules that way!

Does this mean that Granny can now have the family over on Christmas Day as long as she does a bit of informal childminding while the parents sleep off the turkey and pudding?

Hetty58 - you beat me to it.

Of course the advice is that granny can babysit. It's good for the economy. Yes, it's dangerous and granny might die - but that saves on the pensions bill - so a win win situation from the government point of view!

What will you do if there are cases in your grandson's "bubble" and he's sent home from school as a precaution?

Cases in this are area low too, but a number of schools have had cases and have closed or sent groups of pupils home? Nationally, about 5% of pupils are currently at home as a result of cases in schools.

Seems a pragmatic move, if the government wants parents to work many can only do so with extended family support. I will be happy to pick my grandson up from school at present, while the number of cases in our area is below average.

children under 12 haven't had distancing rules for weeks here .Grandparents have been able to see them and hug them.I wouldn't think that will change so childminding isn't a problem.In fact my youngest GD has been at her other granny's a lot either for visits or minding .Other granny wasn't self isolating as we were due to Grandpas heart condition.

It’s not compulsory. If a GP doesn’t feel it’s safe, then they don’t have to look after any children. Lots of GP are also not old so if they want to care for their GC it allows them to.

Plenty of parents will be v grateful if their own parents can help out. It could be the difference between them being able to work or not. I hope the same rule is introduced into Scotland because my dd will find it very hard to work FT if GP’s aren’t allowed to help.

Spot on Urmstongran. Indeed.

It's causing a lot of annoyance to younger people on my twitter timeline. They are asking why they are having to put up with restrictions, and instructed 'not to give it to your granny', when the more vulnerable, i.e elderly grandparents are allowed to care for children who potentially have maximum exposure to the virus and can pass it straight to them.

Presumably child carers aren’t expected to socially distant.

I’m lost now on these guidelines.
‘Don’t hug granny’ is now ‘she’ll be minding you whilst mummy works’.

Hmm.
It’s either safe or it’s not.

Something sensible coming out of this government at last!!

Missed that?

I’m just glad to know that I can still have that contact with my grandchildren.

Is this because of the rumour that schools are to have extra time off for October half term as part of the "circuit break"?