This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Service Lead for Early Years and Prevention, Michael Jarrett, for the attention of the Early Years Sector.
Please find below communications from the Early Years and Prevention Service to keep you informed of various different initiatives and government updates 12/05/2020. We hope you find this informative and if you have any suggestions about content please contact us on earlyyears@slough.gov.uk
It is important to keep in contact with families during this time, so please share this information across all of your contacts.
What’s New
Moving Forward
Local authority Childcare Sufficiency Duty and supporting early years and childcare providers in Slough through the COVID-19 pandemic
The attached strategy aims to enable Slough Borough Council to effectively meet its childcare sufficiency duty (Childcare Act 2016) within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers information, advice and guidance to early years and childcare provision, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Slough Early Years and Prevention Service offers a range of information, advice and support for all providers in Slough. If you would like to talk to a member of the team please contact 01753 476554 or email earlyyears@slough.gov.uk.
New Government Updates for 11/05/2020 & 12/05/2020
Department for Education published guidance following Sunday’s Prime Ministerial announcement that they are asking education and childcare settings to open to more children from 1 June, provided that the 5 key tests set by government justify the changes at the time, including that the rate of infection is decreasing and the enabling programmes set out in Government’s roadmap are operating effectively.
Speaking in parliament yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Government expects all children to be able to return to early years settings (including childminders) from 1 June. Further guidance has now been published as follows:
- Press Notice
- Actions for Educational and Childcare Settings
- Implementing Protective Measures in Education Childcare Settings
- Information for Parents and Carers
In the coming days, the Department for Education will continue to work closely with a range of LAs, early years providers and sector bodies to finalise more detailed operational guidance to support your planning. While they appreciate that you will be eager to receive this as quickly as possible, it is important for them to get the content right. They therefore ask you to bear with them whilst they develop the operational handbook/toolkit.
Thank you for your patience and for all your hard work in ensuring that childcare is available to those who need it at this time.
Keeping in Touch and Targeted Support for Early Years Settings
During this unfamiliar time the team would like you to know that we are here to offer you support, in whatever way you may need it? We are on the other end of the phone or email and will continue to provide you with daily email updates. Even if you are currently closed the team can offer a range of support from discussing government guidance documents to reviewing local area initiatives.
We understand that this is a difficult period for everyone and in these uncertain times it can often help to share concerns, questions and queries with others, so please do keep in contact and pick up the phone anytime for a catch up.
You can email and call individual members of the team or for general enquiries contact earlyyears@slough.gov.uk or call 01753 476554.
If your setting is currently still open and are considering closure please discuss with the Early Years Service and for further information, advice or guidance please contact the team on 01753 476554 or email earlyyears@slough.gov.uk.