What is Social Distance Pre-K?

This week is my 2nd week of being back at school. I'm attending virtual PDs (professional development) and I'm prepping for the new school year by lesson planning and figuring out how to social distance four & five year olds. Like all other teachers across America, I am heartbroken, stressed and very confused on everything that this school year will entail. As a preschool teacher, my philosophy is that my students learn best through play and hands on learning. Unfortunately there won't be much or if any of that going on due to all the new social distancing regulations. Remember my "social distance" approved circle time that I was so proud of? Well...about that. The students are no longer allowed to sit on the carpet. The students are also not allowed to move around centers as freely as before nor are they allowed to sit in front of each other at the tables unless I place a clear partition. As a teacher, I can wear a face shield without a mask as long as I am 6 feet away from the children, if not I do have to wear a mask. I also learned today that we have to wipe down the toilet handle and the sink after each child uses them. I know I'm starting to sound like a complainer or Negative Nancy, but I'm trying not to! I am honestly very respectful of my school and my principal's new policies, I treasure them both dearly. I'm just very disheartened with all of the changes and all of it just goes against my nature as an early childhood educator. Just like God gave the Bluejay wings, God gave me the gift and wit to teach little angels that are under the age of six. On the bright side - government officials did approve an online option for VPK. I honestly became really excited! I let my principal know right away that I was interested in teaching virtually. Long story short - I rather teach virtually than have to go through all the new rules and from trying to keep four year olds from touching each other. Let me explain it to you this way. As an advocate for early childhood education, I believe that all children have the right to attend a free or low cost high quality preschool program. In my eyes, a high quality program comes with the cost of being messy during science projects or while creating art crafts, learning how to be social and to be accepting of all your classmates and their differences, learning your letters by molding them with play dough or writing your name in shaving cream and the list goes on. I am that teacher. I received tremendous praise from my parents who stuck it through with me last spring semester and I had to teach virtually when we had to close. I believe that if I can't teach my students the way I'm supposed to teach them, then at least let me do the next best thing which is to teach them with my same philosophy but virtually and in the comfort and safety of their own homes. What do you think? Do you stand with my decision to teach virtually or do you think I should just push through all the changes and teach in the physical classroom? Thanks for stopping by!