Creche charging for child's place during closure.

scarepanda · 10-08-2020 9:19pm

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

You could get a covid test for the child and then provide the creche with the result.

How many times do you think you'll get a creche aged child to do a covid test? You would be lucky if you could get it done the first time.

Toastytoes · 10-08-2020 9:54pm

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

You could get a covid test for the child and then provide the creche with the result.

Sorry a covid test every time a 2 year old has the sniffles? Are you even a parent? Ridiculous and Tusla obviously agree.

Minier81 · 10-08-2020 10:33pm

It is absolutely ridiculous to expect a child to be covid tested unless their doctor or contact tracing requests it. Asking a child be certified as covid free displays a disturbing lack of understanding for the whole thing.

The hse childcare guidance document suggests the following declaration be signed by the parent or guardian following any absence:
"I have no reason to believe that my child has infectious disease and I have followed all medical
and public health guidance with respect to exclusion of my child from childcare services."

Anything beyond the above I would seriously question.

youcancallmeal · 11-08-2020 9:29am

My 2yo had a high temp in creche last week so they rang us and we picked him up. It was still high the next day so we rang GP who wouldn't see him until he had a covid test. We got that done and results back negative within a couple of days. Our creche didn't say anything about wanting proof of a negative test or cert from a doctor. They had been in touch throughout though and we let them know as soon as we got the results back.

He really didn't like the swab up the nose, who would!? Unfortunately though for kids his age I think it will be a regular occurrence especially as we come into winter and minor bugs are the norm

fits · 11-08-2020 9:32am

I think they need to find alternative way of testing for children!

Sunrise_Sunset · 12-08-2020 7:08pm

My child was tested and they only swabbed the back of throat, not up the nose. Result was negative. A couple of days later I then started having symptoms, presumed cos my child was negative that the GP would say I had just caught whatever other virus my child had. The GP then advised that the rate of false negatives amongst children is quite high!

shesty · 13-08-2020 10:06am

fits wrote: »

I think they need to find alternative way of testing for children!

I saw an article yesterday in the IT - someone saying they have to find another way to test because small children won't do it...you would be lucky if you got it once from them.
I also see that nasal drops will be used to give the flu vaccine to kids this winter - thank god, needles would not have happened for at least 1 of mine.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/experts-examine-less-invasive-covid-19-testing-for-children-1.4327711?mode=amp

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40030601.html

fits · 13-08-2020 10:53am

shesty wrote: »

I saw an article yesterday in the IT - someone saying they have to find another way to test because small children won't do it...you would be lucky if you got it once from them.
I also see that nasal drops will be used to give the flu vaccine to kids this winter - thank god, needles would not have happened for at least 1 of mine.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/experts-examine-less-invasive-covid-19-testing-for-children-1.4327711?mode=amp

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40030601.html

One of mine has been getting the flu vaccine via needle (he's 3.5). We manage, but an alternative might be better. The nasal swab though, I dont think you'd do that more than once with him.

Just read that Irish times article

She compared the experience of the nasopharyngeal swab in children to a blood test given the difficulty in keeping children still during the process.

Sounds about right. We've been in for blood tests - had to go to hospital to do it and it was not fun. Not fun at all.

mbradso2003 · 13-08-2020 10:55am

Sunrise_Sunset wrote: »

My child was tested and they only swabbed the back of throat, not up the nose. Result was negative. A couple of days later I then started having symptoms, presumed cos my child was negative that the GP would say I had just caught whatever other virus my child had. The GP then advised that the rate of false negatives amongst children is quite high!

My young lad (4) was tested and I was advised because he was under 5 it would be back of the throat only. A mate's kid was tested, also throat only and he is 5 so must be throat only for 5 and under.

Bobsammy · 13-08-2020 11:24am

mbradso2003 wrote: »

My young lad (4) was tested and I was advised because he was under 5 it would be back of the throat only. A mate's kid was tested, also throat only and he is 5 so must be throat only for 5 and under.

My one year old was tested yesterday and they did the nasal swab. They tried for the throat first but she wouldn't open her mouth. The nurse said they will generally just take one or the other for little ones, whichever they can get. She was surprisingly ok with the nasal swab, no tears but very startled looking.

shesty · 13-08-2020 2:24pm

I think it is more the sort of 2 -older age group....had the 6 year old in for an MMR recently (school closed before the school vaccine team came round)after that I could see there is no way would you be getting a nasal swab into her, or the 4 year old.And they are big enough to really squirm and hurt themselves, so probably better not to try....

steves2 · 26-08-2020 10:25pm

Hoping someone can help me with something, we brought our 4 year old back to the creche for July and August, like with most people we were sent texts/emails asking if we wanted it and we said yes. She was on the ecce scheme before and we thought the fees would be just the same, got hit with a bill of 550 for this month for having her in 2 days and 680 for having her in 3 days in July, they said the ecce scheme was closed. They never told us this beforehand, wouldn't have sent her in at all as my wife is working part time and really don't have the money. Pre-covid we were paying 740 for a full week.

Cakerbaker · 26-08-2020 10:32pm

steves2 wrote: »

Hoping someone can help me with something, we brought our 4 year old back to the creche for July and August, like with most people we were sent texts/emails asking if we wanted it and we said yes. She was on the ecce scheme before and we thought the fees would be just the same, got hit with a bill of 550 for this month for having her in 2 days and 680 for having her in 3 days in July, they said the ecce scheme was closed. They never told us this beforehand, wouldn't have sent her in at all as my wife is working part time and really don't have the money. Pre-covid we were paying 740 for a full week.

The ECCE scheme only runs for the school year, it’s approximately 38 weeks of the year I think so it doesn’t cover the summer months. My kids crèche was only putting the paperwork for ECCE for 2020/2021 year through last week.

steves2 · 26-08-2020 11:37pm

Cakerbaker wrote: »

The ECCE scheme only runs for the school year, it’s approximately 38 weeks of the year I think so it doesn’t cover the summer months. My kids crèche was only putting the paperwork for ECCE for 2020/2021 year through last week.

Our creche originally took the ecce payment they get for the year from the full time fees they charge for the year, then divided it by 12 to get a price for every month of the year until end of August so that the price would be the same for each month. I've emailed them anyway to clarify.

cherryghost · 26-08-2020 11:52pm

steves2 wrote: »

Our creche originally took the ecce payment they get for the year from the full time fees they charge for the year, then divided it by 12 to get a price for every month of the year until end of August so that the price would be the same for each month. I've emailed them anyway to clarify.

Ours have done the same

Cakerbaker · 27-08-2020 7:29am

steves2 wrote: »

Our creche originally took the ecce payment they get for the year from the full time fees they charge for the year, then divided it by 12 to get a price for every month of the year until end of August so that the price would be the same for each month. I've emailed them anyway to clarify.

Ah in that case it’s probably just better to ask. Hopefully they've just forgotten it.

witchgirl26 · 27-08-2020 9:13am

steves2 wrote: »

Our creche originally took the ecce payment they get for the year from the full time fees they charge for the year, then divided it by 12 to get a price for every month of the year until end of August so that the price would be the same for each month. I've emailed them anyway to clarify.

While that would have worked in normal years, the ecce payment stopped in March when the creches shut so it means they didn't get anything for March, April, May or June. It would then have an impact on the fees as it couldn't be annualised correctly. It might just be that it's an anomaly for July & August until the new ecce year starts in September & then they will go back to the old way.

Sunrise_Sunset · 27-08-2020 12:22pm

Full ECCE funding is 245.10 per month from Sept-June. It is not granted in July and August.

Toastytoes · 14-09-2020 12:58am

mbradso2003 wrote: »

My young lad (4) was tested and I was advised because he was under 5 it would be back of the throat only. A mate's kid was tested, also throat only and he is 5 so must be throat only for 5 and under.

Just for information if anyone else wondering, 2 year old tested today and it was nasal swab only. Was hoping it would be throat but it wasn’t. She was shocked initially but cried when she realized what was going on. Not something I’d like to have to bring her for too often.

starbaby2003 · 14-09-2020 9:24am

Toastytoes wrote: »

Just for information if anyone else wondering, 2 year old tested today and it was nasal swab only. Was hoping it would be throat but it wasn’t. She was shocked initially but cried when she realized what was going on. Not something I’d like to have to bring her for too often.

My two year had to get tested and it was throat swab only. This was for a procedure though not due to symptoms. Might depend on who is doing the test.

Cakerbaker · 14-09-2020 10:04am

Mine (4 and 2) were tested at the weekend and had both nose and throat done so it must depend on who’s doing it / where it’s done.

bee06 · 14-09-2020 9:25pm

They are now recommending just nasal swabs for under 13’s.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/coronavirus-208-more-cases-as-self-isolation-for-people-with-covid-19-cut-to-10-days-1.4354637?mode=amp

Arciphel · 01-01-2021 6:35pm

Have people's creches been in touch with them to let them know what the arrangements are for next week with the schools now closed until the 11th of January (at the earliest?) Ours have told us that ECCE scheme will not restarted until the 11th, that other full time kids can come back but it will be for full day fees (like in the summer) and for afterschool kids you still have to pay their fees even if they are not coming in... seems like the same stances as back in March before the first lockdown. WIll be surprised in the schools reopen on the 11th to be honest...

dubrov · 01-01-2021 6:40pm

Mine said ECCE is back on 6th. My kids are in after school and can go in for a full day on Monday and Tuesday and afternoons after that (due to ECCE).

There was no talk of additional fees

Millem · 01-01-2021 6:46pm

My son (ecce) isn’t back till the 11th January. It’s a standalone Montesorri.

jrosen · 01-01-2021 6:48pm

Just so everyone is aware. Your provider is still being paid the ecce hours regardless of the fact they are closed and your child can not avail of them. I would be questioning why any crèche is looking for more money when they are being paid by the state.

Sarn · 01-01-2021 6:51pm

RTE have reported that Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O'Gorman, has announced that the resumption of the ECCE pre-school programme will be postponed until 11 January.

appledrop · 01-01-2021 9:01pm

Yes all part time Ecce closed until 11th.

Our creche will be open next week but I'm lucky that will be wfh so not going to send him in next week.

The numbers have gone absolute crazy now there is no way in their right mind they can reopen schools on 11th.

salmocab · 01-01-2021 9:26pm

appledrop wrote: »

Yes all part time Ecce closed until 11th.

Our creche will be open next week but I'm lucky that will be wfh so not going to send him in next week.

The numbers have gone absolute crazy now there is no way in their right mind they can reopen schools on 11th.

Staffing is going to be an issue next week for many places. With numbers rocketing there are going to be plenty of people contacted and told to quarantine this will make staffing very tough.

Pistachios & cream · 02-01-2021 8:57am

Our Creche contacted us to say they won’t be reopening until the 11th to align with the schools. No mention of payment etc

dubrov · 03-01-2021 9:52am

mdwexford wrote:

Called it. For shame all you doubters the other night

Looks like the government have changed guidance at the last minute. It now seems creches will only be open for children of essential workers

salmocab · 03-01-2021 10:08am

dubrov wrote: »

Looks like the government have changed guidance at the last minute. It now seems creches will only be open for children of essential workers

But who’s essential? Parents can say they are, indeed my company claim I am but I definitely aren’t. Crèches won’t necessarily know what the parents do or if both are essential or just one.

um7y1h83ge06nx · 03-01-2021 10:15am

Our creche has decided to reduce their opening hours for January - 0830 to 1700. Since they reopened they did have reduced hours of 0800 to 1730. Their pre-Covid hours were 0715 to 1800.

And despite reducing their opening hours now by 2.25 hours a day we are still being charged the same amount.

I wouldn't mind the money so much, it's just that the hours of 0830 to 1700 are difficult for us as we both work standard office hours.

Anyone encountering similar issues?

faceman · 03-01-2021 10:16am

Rayan Ugly Sauna wrote: »

Our creche has decided to reduce their opening hours for January - 0830 to 1700. Since they reopened they did have reduced hours of 0800 to 1730. Their pre-Covid hours were 0715 to 1800.

And despite reducing their opening hours now by 2.25 hours a day we are still being charged the same amount.

I wouldn't mind the money so much, it's just that the hours of 0830 to 1700 are difficult for us as we both work standard office hours.

Anyone encountering similar issues?

Many creches have reduced hours but haven't reduced their prices. They are claiming its offset by the cost of PPE etc.

salmocab · 03-01-2021 10:34am

faceman wrote: »

Many creches have reduced hours put haven't reduced their prices. They are claiming its offset by the cost of PPE etc.

Staffing levels haven’t reduced and are often now higher.

baldbear · 06-01-2021 9:47am

So crèches are for essential workers now but it seems everyone is an essential worker according to the list provided.

Nothing yet mentioned about payment if kids are kept at home?

Black_Knight · 06-01-2021 10:21am

baldbear wrote: »

So crèches are for essential workers now but it seems everyone is an essential worker according to the list provided.

Nothing yet mentioned about payment if kids are kept at home?

Whats the list? any link?
EDIT: Nevermind, found it
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/

dubrov · 06-01-2021 10:46am

Is there anything not on that list?

faceman · 06-01-2021 10:50am

dubrov wrote: »

Is there anything not on that list?

Social influencers

Seriously though, given what we know about very young kids and the virus, there is minimal risk with creches being open for all. Not having creche access for some families means some people cant work.

The same would go for schools but class sizes are too big in ireland

pc7 · 06-01-2021 11:09am

We kept ours home from creche this week just due to the numbers, but heard from some that everyone else is in. Would ideally just struggle through next week with them here while we wfh but would like to send them back 18th (hoping chrstmas surge will have passed). We've paid in full for the month so its a bit of a sickner.

Effects · 06-01-2021 11:37am

faceman wrote: »

Social influencers

No, social influencers would be covered under Information and Communications.

The following services relating to information and communications:
The production of television and radio programmes, video, sound, digital or
other electronic content and the broadcast or publication of the same to the
public or a portion of the public

faceman · 06-01-2021 11:43am

Effects wrote: »

No, social influencers would be covered under Information and Communications.

We are doomed as a species

youcancallmeal · 06-01-2021 12:44pm

Really hoping our creche stays open, the first lockdown was incredibly stressful trying to look after our 2yo and wfh. I'm actually getting anxious just thinking about, might have to take annual leave which means no holiday later in the year. I am an essential worker according to the list(Like nearly everyone) so maybe it'll be grand.

appledrop · 06-01-2021 2:28pm

pc7 wrote: »

We kept ours home from creche this week just due to the numbers, but heard from some that everyone else is in. Would ideally just struggle through next week with them here while we wfh but would like to send them back 18th (hoping chrstmas surge will have passed). We've paid in full for the month so its a bit of a sickner.

Thats our plan aswell all going well. He actually loves creche and looking forward to going back but no way he is going back before then.

That new strain is in 25% of cases now and definitely big increase among kids in schools and creche just before we closed for Christmas.

Hopefully by 18th everyone has seriously reduced their contacts.

baldbear · 07-01-2021 8:56am

Essential workers at Level 5
From Department of the Taoiseach

Published on 6 January 2021

Last updated on 6 January 2021

This page is currently being updated

Looks like the government are making me non essential

faceman · 07-01-2021 12:44pm

appledrop wrote: »

Thats our plan aswell all going well. He actually loves creche and looking forward to going back but no way he is going back before then.

That new strain is in 25% of cases now and definitely big increase among kids in schools and creche just before we closed for Christmas.

Hopefully by 18th everyone has seriously reduced their contacts.

Sadly this is the point people are missing. I’m hearing of plenty of people claiming they’re essential workers when they’re not. People aren’t getting that the virus is out of control, hospital system on the verge of collapse. Kids won’t get it but will bring it home. Who wants to risk getting sick during a time the health service is going to collapse giving sub standard care to people

We are in a dangerous new period with the virus. Up to now I wouldn’t have been concerned but that has changed now

Cakerbaker · 07-01-2021 12:51pm

faceman wrote: »

Sadly this is the point people are missing. I’m hearing of plenty of people claiming they’re essential workers when they’re not. People aren’t getting that the virus is out of control, hospital system on the verge of collapse. Kids won’t get it but will bring it home. Who wants to risk getting sick during a time the health service is going to collapse giving sub standard care to people

We are in a dangerous new period with the virus. Up to now I wouldn’t have been concerned but that has changed now

Ya both myself and my husband are working from home (me full time, him part time home, part time on site). We could both be considered essential workers but we have no intention of sending them to creche. It’s going to be tough over the next few weeks but we’ll manage with early starts / late finishes / weekend catch ups. Tbh I probably wasn’t going to send them for the next few weeks even if yesterday’s announcement hadn’t happened.

kerryjack · 07-01-2021 12:52pm

Shops like mr price still open never closed in March I would say all construction work is essential to someone, should be a complete shutdown for 3 weeks for everything and 1 person from each house left in to a shop for food only.

sphinxicus · 07-01-2021 1:34pm

Is there any word from the government as to if the same funding is to be given to the creches again as was in March? Or are parent expected to pay for no use? Last time round our creche took full fees for march without asking even after the offer from the government to pay staff wages. Eventualy they signed up for the system to accept the offer but we never saw a refund for the remainder of March that they could have been paid for. They did buy some lovely christmas decorations this year though

We have had an email from them stating that they and staff are afraid to open but will do for essential "frontline" workers. They havent opened at all in 2021 yet. They have said that the first week will be refunded as that was their choice to stay shut. No mention on refunds for the remainder of January yet. We have had to arrange unpaid leave to look after our kids now.

youcancallmeal · 07-01-2021 1:42pm

sphinxicus wrote: »

Is there any word from the government as to if the same funding is to be given to the creches again as was in March? Or are parent expected to pay for no use? Last time round our creche took full fees for march without asking even after the offer from the government to pay staff wages. Eventualy they signed up for the system to accept the offer but we never saw a refund for the remainder of March that they could have been paid for. They did buy some lovely christmas decorations this year though

We have had an email from them stating that they and staff are afraid to open but will do for essential "frontline" workers. They havent opened at all in 2012 yet. They have said that the first week will be refunded as that was their choice to stay shut. No mention on refunds for the remainder of January yet. We have had to arrange unpaid leave to look after our kids now.

Ours has been open since the 4th, they will remain open for essential workers otherwise if you can't/won't send your kids in from Monday 11th then you just need to pay for the 1st week in Jan which is fair enough. They were open for business whether you sent your kids or not.

Creche charging for child's place during closure.

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