Re-opening of Early Years Settings from 1 June 2020
From the week commencing 1 June 2020, the government is asking early years providers to begin welcoming back all children, providing the scientific data allows. Please read the guidance that has been issued.
- Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020
- Coronavirus – implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings
- Guidance for Parents and Carers – Opening settings to more pupils from 1 June
- Planning guide for early years and childcare settings
The Education Secretary has said “Where the physical layout of a setting does not allow small groups of children to be kept at a safe distance apart, we expect practitioners to exercise judgement in ensuring the highest standards of safety are maintained. In some cases, it may be necessary for providers to introduce a temporary cap on numbers to ensure that safety is prioritised. From 1 June 2020.”
Guidance for Early Years Settings – COVID-19 Operating Procedures
Coronavirus Useful links for reopening
The Educational Psychology Service is offering an individual training opportunity for all staff working in early years settings, and schools to support children and young people as they return following the COVID-19 restrictions.
The session is approximately 90 minutes long and is accessed through YouTube It includes several short activities and opportunities for reflection within in it.
Childminders
The Department for Education has confirmed that Childminders can open to children from a single household from 13 May 2020. Childminders can care for multiple children from the same household, if they are not already providing care for keyworker children or vulnerable families.
From 1 June, subject to scientific advice Childminders can reopen to all children.
We will keep this page updated and publish further guidance from DfE as soon as it becomes available.
When to close a setting
The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson has asked that all schools and nurseries close from Monday 23 March 2020. However, we need to ask that if you are caring for children of key workers and vulnerable children (those with a Social Worker and or EHC plan) that you stay open as long as possible. This applies to group settings and childminders.
If you have any children of key worker families or vulnerable children and are unable to open or remain open for any reason, then please notify us at SSEEarlyYearsTeam@somerset.gov.uk
The Somerset school closure list can be viewed at www.somerset.gov.uk/school-closures/
Definition of a key worker
The Department for Education has now published the guidance on ‘Key workers’. Only one parent is required to be a key worker to be able to access childcare although the government have made it clear that, if a child can be cared for safely at home, then they should not go into their educational setting.
Please check the government web page
The eight categories are:
- Health and Social Care
- Education and childcare
- Key public services
- Local and national government
- Food and other necessary goods
- Public safety and national security
- Transport
- Utilities, communication and financial services
The most recent scientific advice to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should to limit the chance of the virus spreading.
Childcare Finder Service
Care should be provided to children of key critical workers and vulnerable children only. This is to limit the spread of the virus.
Other children must remain at home. The Local Offer lists alternate provisions that are available.
Key Workers can also use the Childcare finder service if they are struggling to find care for their children.
Entitlement funding for closures
We will be processing entitlement claims as normal and will pay 100% of the estimate to settings as soon as possible at the start of April instead of the usual 90%.
Payment of early years entitlement funding
The government announced on 17 March 2020 it will continue funding local authorities for all early years entitlements during any periods of nursery, preschool or childminder closures, or where children cannot attend due to coronavirus.
Parent Declaration Forms – Summer Term 2020
We will not require Parent Declaration forms for the Summer term 2020 only. Parent Declarations will be required as normal for the Autumn Term 2020 unless otherwise notified.
Where to find information
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak – on GOV.UK
Guidance for educational settings
Education Psychology Service Helpline – Phone support for parents and carers.
Department for Education helpline: 0800 046 8687 – Opening hours: 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Latest Department for Education information
Guidance Coronavirus – early years and childcare closures as at 24 March
Business and financial support
Useful Guidance on sources of financial support – PACEY
See the web links for sources of financial support including for the Self-Employed
Please refer to the government guidance for information on the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and statutory sick pay relief for SMEs
Latest information and advice for businesses
Guidance, advice, support packages and information are being released and updated on a daily basis for businesses and the self-employed. For current details please visit the COVID 19 web pages on Heart of the South West Growth Hub.
Business Rates Holiday
The Chancellor has announced “To support nurseries at this time, we have decided that they will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from April 2020”
COVID-19 Financial Support Grant
Revised terms and conditions for COVID-19 financial support grant
Advice for staff, parents and children
Please adhere to government guidance and follow the NHS advice
Wellbeing – Every Mind Matters
Parents who are struggling to find Childcare – there is a form to complete if they cannot find suitable alternative provision and their setting is closed.
Educational resources
campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/101-coronavirus-/resources
campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools
Resources for talking to children about COVID-19
Responsibilities to staff when closed
Please adhere to employment regulations and liaise with childcare’s insurance (legal team)
Useful Guidance on Coronavirus – advice for employers and employees – ACAS
Support to pay staff
The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.
This includes a package of measures to support businesses including:
- a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- deferring VAT and Income Tax payments
- a Statutory Sick Pay relief package for SMEs
- a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England
Please see the full government guidance
EYFS
Paragraph 3.30 of the EYFS states:
‘Exceptionally, and where the quality of care and safety and security of children is maintained, changes to the ratios may be made.’
We consider the extent of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to be an exceptional temporary circumstance in which the staff to child ratios set out in the EYFS can be changed if necessary. However, childcare providers or schools remain responsible for ensuring the safety and security of children in their care and for their staff.
Ratios for childminders remain maximum of 6 children under the age of 8 years.
Early Years Foundation Stage: Coronavirus disapplications
If you haven’t found what you need, or need more support please phone us on 0300 123 2224
Covid EY Team link workers
| Area | Link Worker | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ansford/Wincanton | Heather Stebbing | hstebbing@somerset.gov.uk | 01823 357494 |
| Chard, Crewkerne and Ilminster | Sarah Love | splove@somerset.gov.uk | 07919 540711 |
| Frome and Shepton Mallet | Sarah Love | splove@somerset.gov.uk | 07919 540711 |
| Huish Episcopi | Julia Balmford | jbalmford@somerset.gov.uk | 01823 355828 |
| Street and Glastonbury | Alison Jeffery | ajeffery@somerset.gov.uk | 07977 401872 |
| Yeovil, Stoke Sub Hamdon | Jo Sawyer | jsawyer@somerset.gov.uk | 07976 816811 |
| Bridgwater | Ali Highfield | ahighfield@somerset.gov.uk | 07823 537446 |
| Burnham & Cheddar | Ali Highfield | ahighfield@somerset.gov.uk | 07823 537446 |
| Taunton | Nikki Difford | nldifford@somerset.gov.uk | 07919 540564 |
| Wellington and Wiveliscombe | Nikki Difford | nldifford@somerset.gov.uk | 07919 540564 |
| West Somerset | Nikki Difford | nldifford@somerset.gov.uk | 07919 540564 |
Area SENCO
| Area | SENCO | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ansford/Wincanton | Mikaela Jauncey | mjauncey@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 309957 |
| Chard, Crewkerne and Ilminster | Wendy Toy | wtoy@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 310510 |
| Frome and Shepton Mallet | Karen Foster | kzfoster@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 310486 |
| Huish Episcopi | Wendy Toy | wtoy@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 310510 |
| Street and Glastonbury | Kiri Gibson | kzgibson@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 310515 |
| Street and Glastonbury | Karen Foster | kzfoster@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 310486 |
| Yeovil, Stoke Sub Hamdon | Mikaela Jauncey | mjauncey@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 309957 |
| Bridgwater | Kiri Gibson | kzgibson@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 310515 |
| Bridgwater | Karen Marsh | kmarsh@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 308382 |
| Burnham & Cheddar | Karen Marsh | kmarsh@somerset.gov.uk | 07811 308382 |
| Taunton | Sarah Stent | sstent@somerset.gov.uk | 07890 581139 |
| Wellington and Wiveliscombe | Jo McDonough | jmcdonough@somerset.gov.uk | 07919 540560 |
| West Somerset | Jo McDonough | jmcdonough@somerset.gov.uk | 07919 540560 |