The great outdoors +1

We would really love all our users to keep enjoying the Fetching app doing lockdown 2 in England. Here are the two circumstances in which you are still currently able to keep using it.

You can still use the Fetching app to arrange a playdate for one child under 5 with another household. You can also accept a playdate request for one child under 5 from another household. All playdates should be hosted in a public, outdoor space - private gardens are not allowed at this time.

The benefits of children socialising have been well documented this year and, whilst many are still attending school, the joy of a weekend playdate cannot be underestimated. Not only for the children, but for the parents as well.

Our standard school fetch does not work under the new guidelines. The ban on households mixing inside means that it is no longer possible to collect a friend's child and care for them in your home until they are able to collect them. Only someone from your support bubble or childcare bubble can care for a child inside.

However, our new 'drop' button within the fetch request form means that, if you are isolating (or simply in the middle of a vital Zoom call!), you can select 'drop' and ask a friend to walk your child home from school for you. This is provided that they are on their own or with children under 5. As with standard fetch requests, our integrated schools system keeps the school fully informed of the changes.