It’s every parent’s nightmare – there’s a Covid outbreak at nursery

With news that Lola is a sheep in the nativity play, rather than an angel, things only get worse for Charlotte Cripps when a WhatsApp message announces that every member of staff has Covid-19

(Illustration by Amara May)

It’s the news every parent dreads: Liberty’s nursery school has been shut down due to a Covid outbreak. I feel like I’ve been punched in the face by Tyson Fury. It’s not one teacher but all four who have tested positive. Plus one child and their entire family. I get the WhatsApp message while I’m just trying to convince Lola to wear a sheet with a cloth over her head as a shepherd in her nativity play. She’s in tears, she desperately wants to be an angel. She’s got blonde ringlets and doe eyes, how could she possibly not be one? Is it political? Maybe I didn’t do enough for the Harvest Festival? Could I have done more? Baskets of muffins or flower-arranging duty?

I’m wondering if she can get away with wearing her Disney Snow White costume? At least it’s a mustard yellow colour like the monstrosity that I have paid £17 for that only includes a tunic and a headdress with rope. Then I read the small print on her script – I realise she’s part of a herd of sheep. How am I going to break the news to her that she has to make a headband with wool and ears?

But suddenly my world caves in. I knew coronavirus was getting closer. I heard reports of two local dog walkers with it but now it’s on my doorstep. I’m trapped. Liberty has to self-isolate for 14 days. The nanny can’t come. How do I get Lola to school? How do I work?