The progressive reopening of daycare centers, starting on Monday, after two months in which they were closed due to the covid-19 pandemic, has been causing concern among parents and professionals and, in this context, Lusa heard two experts and a representative of educators childhood to understand how the two scales on the scale - the benefits and risks of return - are balanced.

In statements to the Lusa agency, pedopsychiatrist Pedro Strecht admits that in the current context of the covid-19 pandemic, parents' fears about the contagious rich are natural, but he considers that the benefits overlap.

“Being away from home, creating and maintaining relationships with other adults and, above all, with children of the same age, is increasingly important for the majority of the youngest and is a priority task of daycare centers and kindergartens”, he stresses.

Psychologist Inês Almeida Ramos also points out this need, considering that, from this point of view, the return of children to daycare centers and kindergartens will be especially beneficial for those who have no siblings and who have been with their parents for the past two months only. .

In addition to social relations, Pedro Strecht stresses that institutions are equally important in stimulating children in areas such as language, autonomy, games and graphics.

Here, the role of early childhood educators is particularly important, argues Luís Ribeiro, president of the Association of Professionals in Early Childhood Education (APEI).

"The educational opportunities that are given to children since they are born are extremely important for their development and these educational opportunities go through the first years of life primarily through quality interactions, with other children, but also with educators," he told Lusa.

Among the professionals' representative, the pedopsychiatrist and the psychologist heard by Lusa, the advantages of reopening the daycare centers are recognized by all, who agree that the measure will also allow parents to return some normality.

At this level, Inês Ramos mentions parents who can now return to their jobs and Pedro Strecht explains that, during the phase that has passed, those who were on teleworking had difficulties in combining their professional activity with the careful care of their children.

In weighing the pros and cons, the pedopsychiatrist doctor and the president of APEI have no doubts and advocate the return of children to daycare centers.

The psychologist Inês Ramos is, however, more cautious and recognizes that the conditions in which daycare centers will reopen can put in check the best of the youngsters' experience in daycare centers, where children begin to learn to share and play together.

Depending on the current pandemic context, return to daycare centers is subject to new rules, such as physical distance between children, whenever possible, or the non-sharing of toys.

"It is very complicated, because we are telling children that everything they have learned so far is something to forget", says the psychologist, admitting that the new reality will inevitably create strangeness in children, who may, on the other hand, also absorb parents' fear.

Even so, Inês Ramos believes that children's “exceptional adaptability” can facilitate their return and that kindergarten teachers will also be able to reinvent themselves.

Confidence in professionals is one of the main appeals of the president of APEI, who says that everyone is working to ensure a safe reopening. And he adds: "If the parents thought that there was a quality response before, obviously it remains, because a good kindergarten teacher is good in any context".

Portugal entered on May 3 in a calamity situation due to the pandemic, after three consecutive periods in a state of emergency since March 19.

This new phase of combating covid-19 provides for mandatory confinement for sick people and under active surveillance, the general duty of home collection and the mandatory use of masks or visors in public transport, public attendance services, schools and commercial establishments.

The Government today approved new measures that come into force on Monday, including the resumption of visits to users of nursing homes, the reopening of daycare centers, classroom classes for the 11th and 12th year and the reopening of some street shops, cafes, restaurants, museums, monuments and palaces.

The return of community religious ceremonies is scheduled for May 30 and the beaches will open for June 6.